A short drive off Montreal Island’s western tip, the quaint community of Hudson becomes abuzz with literary activity every autumn.
Greenwood’s StoryFest promises to be particularly exciting this year with not one but two Giller longlist finalists as guests.
“We’re truly delighted to welcome Steven Price and Alix Ohlin,” says Terry O’Shaughnessy, Greenwood’s executive director. “It’s a real bonus to have Alix, who heads UBC’s Creative Writing Program, also lead a workshop on Creating Charismatic Characters that’s open to writers of all levels.”
Celebrating its 18th year, StoryFest was launched by a few long-time Hudson residents who, with the help of former Canadian senator Philippe Gigantès, sought a way to further enrich the Greenwood Centre for Living History by weaving new stories into the historic building’s fabric. In fact, Sen. Gigantès was the first guest author.
“We’re a small community, but we always think big and are grateful to literary icons such as Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje who’ve recognized the avid readers that StoryFest draws locally and from quite a distance,” O’Shaughnessy says. “Having accomplished writers such as novelist Frances Itani with her 17th novel and historian D’Arcy Jenish with his insights about the 1970 October Crisis on this year’s roster will certainly add to our rich tradition.”
Thanks to the unwavering support of the Quebec Writers’ Federation, multi award-winning author Rawi Hage will also be a StoryFest 2019 guest.
“We truly appreciate the QWF’s help in arranging this much anticipated visit,” O’Shaughnessy says.
Always seeking to attract a wide range of readers, StoryFest has also invited journalist Ann Hui to discuss her book about the people who run Chinese restaurants across Canada. Retired Canadian astronaut Dave Williams will also be a star attraction at StoryFest for Kids in the morning and for adults later the same afternoon.
Storyfest kicks off with award-winning Irish Canadian author Anakana Schofield’s visit on Sept. 29, with events running through Nov. 4.
The full schedule, festival passes, single-event tickets and the writers’ workshop registration are all available on line at www.greenwoodstoryfest.com
Article via Julie Gedeon