Frye Festival sets new record for attendance

It was a record-breaking year for the 8th annual Frye Festival, with over 13,000 people taking part in Canada’s only bilingual international literary festival. That sets a new attendance high for the five-day event, which wrapped up today, Sunday, April 29, with a closing event, hosted by the Greater Moncton International Airport, and featuring a grand finale reading by the festival’s very own poet laureate, Poet flyé and Moncton writer Paul Bossé.

The festival’s executive director Rachelle Dugas said the extra effort made to appeal to a wider audience clearly resulted in record turn-outs. “We reached out and people responded.” This effort involved adding new events to the festival line-up and expanding the programme’s writing offerings, most notably the graphic novel and comicbook genres. The goal, as festival chair Dawn Arnold put it, was to “increase the fun factor in this year’s festival and make events more accessible to the public”. This, in turn, attracted some of the best authors and illustrators in their fields like Harvey Pekar, of American Splendor fame, whose appearances during Festival week always drew large crowds.

Most of this year’s events were sell-outs. A number of the writing workshops were filled to capacity and participation in children’s activities surpassed “our wildest imaginations,” acknowledges Arnold, with over 1,200 people taking part in Saturday’s KidsFest alone.

One of the main objectives of this year’s festival was to give youth from Kindergarten through to Grade 12 venues to present their original works of prose, poetry and song through its highly successful and growing School-Youth Program. “The Festival has become a showcase for the extraordinary level of young talent we have here in New Brunswick,” says Arnold. The program includes the Frye Festival State Farm Essay Contest, the Aliant-sponsored Budding Writers and Café Underground events – Café Underground being one of the new additions to the festival programme – and the TD Bank Financial Group’s Writers in the Schools program.

The latter saw more than 9,000 schoolchildren welcome Frye Festival authors into their classrooms throughout the Maritimes. In total, the authors made161 classroom presentations, which is three times last year’s number. That’s an achievement that Arnold and other festival organizers are particularly proud of. “The great thing about the festival is that you never know what’s going to come back to you, whether it’s the child that’s been inspired to become a best-selling writer or the child that’s suddenly picking up a book.”

Among the festival authors who may have had such an impact on local schoolchildren is Jeremy Tankard, whose book Grumpy Bird has been named by two major bookstore chains in North America as one of this spring’s “must-reads”. He was one of the busiest authors-illustrators to come to Moncton for the festival, making 16 classroom appearances in total, in addition to giving readings and leading comicbook workshops for youth.

“It was a lot of fun,” says Tankard of his festival experience. “I loved going into the schools. That was a blast!” Like the other festival authors, Tankard was impressed by the professionalism and passion of the festival team members and the enthusiasm of the festival-goers. “Overall what was absolutely wonderful about the festival is that there is an honesty and genuineness about everyone I spoke to this week – not just the festival people, but the people who came to the events as well.” Tankard’s book sold out across Moncton by week’s end.

The not-for-profit festival is volunteer-driven with more than 100 local residents actively involved in pulling this annual celebration of words together. Their energy, combined with the contributions of its sponsors, makes the festival possible, says Arnold, noting that the support of its sponsors was unprecedented this year. “They did much more than hand out cheques. They took a direct role in making the festival happen,” recognizes Arnold. “We have never had that level of commitment from our sponsors.” Indeed, the festival doubled its private sector support in one year, now accounting for 44% of its revenues.

Thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, the Festival increased the prize money awarded to high school students by over 122% and donated more than $6,000 worth of new books to schools, up $2,000 from last year’s total.

Arnold says she hopes the festival will continue to get bigger and better, though the success of the 8th edition will be hard to beat. “We have set the bar high for the ninth annual Frye Festival, “ she concludes.

Not too late to buy tickets for Frye Festival Brunch and Books

Tickets are still available for the Frye Festival Brunch and Books, 10 a.m., Sunday, April 29 at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel. Sponsored by Atlantic Lottery Corporation, prizes will be awarded to the top six English and French new adult writers, as chosen by the Greater Moncton Literacy Advisory Board. The brunch also features presentations by two festival authors - Quebec novelist Arlette Cousture and Nova Scotia short story author Elaine McCluskey* - who will read selections from their books and share their writing experiences with the new adult writers. Tickets are $20 and are on sale at the Capitol Theatre Box Office (Friday and Saturday) or phone (506) 856-4379.

*Elaine replaces British Columbia poet Patrick Lane who returns to his native Province today to accept a major literary award.

Poet flyé wings way into Frye Festival

Frye Festival’s very own poet laureate will make his debut in Moncton April 25-29 to capture all the sights and delights of this year’s festival in an epic poem.

Moncton writer Paul Bossé today winged his way into the festival as Poet flyé to create a new and lasting memento of this five-day celebration of words. The creation of the poem will give festival-goers their own chance at fame as Bossé will invite them to share their experiences to include in his work.

His interactive poem will be permanently displayed at the Greater Moncton International Airport following a reading of his work Sunday, April 29, to close this year’s festival. The public is welcome to attend the event which starts at 1 p.m. in the Destination Lounge.

Chairperson Dawn Arnold says the event is a fitting finale to the festival and thanked the airport for its participation. “The festival is fortunate to have the support of generous and innovative sponsors like the Greater Moncton International Airport. Without their contributions, events like this would not be possible.”

Bossé says he looks forward to attending the festival events and putting his thoughts and the thoughts of festival-goers to paper. “The festival takes us on a wonderful journey of discovery. Through its events we explore the magic and power of words. I want my poem to take readers on a similar journey, experiencing the things I see and hear on my inaugural flight as Poet flyé.”

David Adams Richards presents second Antonine Maillet - Northrop Frye lecture

Renowned New Brunswick author David Adams Richards will present the second Antonine Maillet - Northrop Frye Lecture on Saturday, April 28 from noon to 1 pm. The theme of the lecture will be “Playing the Inside Out”. The event will take place during the Frye Festival at Moncton City Hall in the Council Chambers at 655 Main Street. The conference will be in English with simultaneous interpretation.

Born in 1950 in Newcastle, N.B., David Adams Richards currently writes in Toronto. He is known for his almost mythic vision. The Vancouver Sun calls him “perhaps the greatest Canadian writer alive”. His latest book The Friends of Meager Fortune was published in 2006 by Doubleday Canada.

In his lecture, David Adams Richards will consider the intellectual, emotional and imaginative strength required to stand by one’s convictions as a writer of fiction.
“A writer must never compromise his imaginative vision in order to be accepted. The result will be an erosion of his art,” explains Paul Curtis, English Professor at the Université de Moncton and one of the organizers of the event, in reference to Richards’ talk.

The writer will also observe how writers in the Maritimes have long been outside the economic and political centres of power, but not the cultural centre. “From this relatively marginal position, the attraction to modify one’s vision in order to be accepted appears all the more powerful,” says Curtis.

These themes of the outsider as well economic and political centres of power are very much in evidence in Mr. Richards latest and perhaps most powerful novel The Friends of Meager Fortune.

Literary Competition Winners Announced

The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick (WFNB) announced the winners of its annual Literary Competition at a recent banquet held in Sackville, New Brunswick. Writers from across Canada competed in seven categories for over $2000 in cash prizes.

Yvonne Trainer judged the individual poem category. Nova Scotia’s Eleonore Schonmaier took first place for “Urban.” Second place went to matt robinson of Fredericton, New Brunswick, for “heart.” Richard Toth of Bathurst, New Brunswick, placed third with “A Railway Siding.”

Gerard Beirne judged the short fiction category. Elizabeth Blanchard of Dieppe, New Brunswick, won first for “Bitch Curve.” Second place went to John Paciga of Rothesay, New Brunswick, for “Tattoo.” Also of New Brunswick, Anne Lévesque, took third place for “The Baby.”

Fraser Sutherland judged the non-fiction category, a category which was swept by New Brunswickers. Noeline Bridge took first with “Night Bus to Amsterdam; or How I Saved Frank & Ronnie’s Holiday.” Second place went to Sherman R. Fisher for “Who Was Uncle Stanley?” J. Bastarache won third for “The Leprechaun’s Garden.”

The writing for children category was judged by Deb Loughead with Susan Beeby from Ontario taking the top prize for "The Girl with the Crazy Brother." Michelle McLean of New Brunswick won second for "When Pigs Fly (and other poems)." Third place went to Jan L. Coates of Nova Scotia for "Goodbye to Wollypoggle."

Magie Dominic judged the Sheree Fitch Prize for fiction written by a youth. Christy Joy Frost of Quebec placed first for “A Kinder Place.” Nova Scotia’s Andrea Gigeroff and New Brunswick’s Katherine Standen tied for second place with “Akerley” and “The Infallible Locket” respectively. Aleesha Askraf, Bonnie Devine, Jaclyn Drummond and Ashley Lewis of Ontario wrote the third place entry, “Loose Change.”

The Alfred G. Bailey Prize for an unpublished poetry manuscript was judged by Carole Langille and Greg Cook with Margo Wheaton from Nova Scotia winning for “The Morning When the World Was New.”

Michelle Butler Hallett judged the Richards Prize for a collection of short stories, a short novel or a substantial portion of a longer novel. Ontario’s Darryl Berger took the prize for “Punishing Ugly Children.” Honourable Mention in this category went to Carla Gunn of New Brunswick for “Frog.”

The WFNB congratulates all the winners and thanks everyone who entered the competition this year. The deadline for the 2008 contest is November 12, 2007. Judging details will be announced on the WFNB website later. Visit www.umce.ca/wfnb for guidelines.

What Some of the Judges Said:

Sheree Fitch Prize Winners
First place: A KINDER PLACE by Christy Joy Frost, Verdun, Quebec
Second place is a tie: AKERLEY by Andrea Gigeroff, Dartmouth, NS and THE INFALLIBLE LOCKET by Katherine Standen, Cambridge Narrows, NB
Third Place: LOOSE CHANGE by Aleesha Ashraf, Bonnie Devine, Jaclyn Drummond and Ashley Lewis, Aurora, Ontario

Judge Magie Dominic’s comments:
The writers of these four essays took great care to stay with their chosen story, never wandering away from the characters. Their dedication to the story was obvious and each wrote beautiful images. Their use of the language was strong and resulted in striking visuals.

They also took great care with the grammar, spelling, structure and the less exciting but imperative aspects of writing. When submitting work anywhere, but especially to a writing competition, it is absolutely imperative to pay attention to these details. These writers attended to the editing process, and I want to commend them for doing so.
All four writers should continue to work. I would love to know what Narciel did after she left the dome area; or what Elliott did later in life, what choices he made. I would like to know if Caterina really did leave that balcony, or if Kyle ever tried to find Akerley again. These four writers gave me many characters to think about and I thank them.

To write is work in itself. Sometimes very solitary, very thankless work. Each essay submitted represented work and I want to congratulate everyone. It was difficult to select only three and in fact it was impossible to select only three, which is why there had to be a tie for second place. In general always reread your story. Edit sentences; obey the guidelines, if they ask for 4,000 words, don't submit 16,000; look for typos! Look for ways to explain a situation differently, see what works best. Every writer in this competition shows talent and should definitely be encouraged to write and encouraged to submit their work.
Thank you,
Magie Dominic
New York City, April 2007

Short Fiction, Judge Gerard Beirne

First Place: Bitch Curve, Elizabeth Blanchard, NB

Judge's comments: Bitch Curve is a very fine story indeed. The narrator's strong voice never wavers. It steers the reader through this troubling tale. The dual narrative of the hit and run and the infidelity weave seamlessly together. The reader's understanding of Gerald's guilt increases from one narrative to the other resulting in a rich and complex story. A worthy winner.

Second Place: Tattoo, John Paciga, NB

Judge's comments: In Tattoo the writer clearly displays an acute eye and ear for character. The three main characters live out their lives for the reader upon the page. The tattoo metaphor works effectively and is well-controlled. It allows the underlying themes to emerge and be explored. A well paced narrative culminates in a very successful story.

Third Place: The Baby, Anne Lévesque, NB

Judge's comments: The Baby contains a strong narrative which holds the reader's attention throughout its tense story line. The crux scene is original and filled with the necessary ambivalence all fine stories contain. Gordon's emotional state is well explored and well served by this story.

Writing for Children, Judge Deb Loughead

First Place:
The Girl with the Crazy Brother, Susan Beeby, Ontario

This novel is written in a believable first person voice, present tense, which adds an edginess and immediacy to the central issue. Each of the characters is well-established. Emily, the main character, is beautifully conceived, as is her escalating struggle to comprehend her brother's 'madness' and to try to find an explanation while attempting to convince her oblivious parents that there really is a serious problem. Matt's psychosis begins slowly and builds to a crescendo by the final page the author submitted for judging-it certainly made me want to read on to the conclusion of the novel. Emily's friend Stephen is a compassionate friend and the onset and development of their relationship is sweet and entirely convincing. High school life, which threads through the narrative, rings true and even the secondary characters we meet are multi-faceted and complex with distinct personalities. It's a bittersweet and emotionally wrenching exploration of an often misunderstood challenge that affects so many families.

Second Place:
When Pigs Fly (and other Poems), Michelle McLean, NB

I had so much fun with this submission! It's a splendid collection of poetry that captures the concerns and experiences of childhood then puts a wild and wacky twist on each of them. There are unexpected delights on every page because this poet knows exactly how to begin and end a rhyme and always manages to surprise the reader. And the bouncing, galloping rhymes consistently play games with the reader and tickle all the senses! Children will giggle over these poems, as will the adults who are sharing them! A few
of my favourites: “There's A Kitty In This Sandbox”, pg 35, “It's Not My Day,” pg. 16, “The Complainer,” pg. 17, “Surprise,” pg 51.

Third Place:
Goodbye to Wollypoggle, Jan L.Coates, NS

A delightful story with the cadence of poetry, this tale of a 'magical' cape stitched up for Sam by his Gran will captivate children. Not only will they be able to conjure up the images that are so beautifully rendered in words, they will certainly enjoy the wordplay as well-“Poke, Swish…Poke, Swish…” The familiar playtime adventures the author describes are sure to strike a note, and children will be able to identify with the transition from 'babyhood' to 'little boy' for which the shrinking cape serves as a metaphor. The colourful narrative could be well translated into illustrations.

Non-Fiction, Judge Fraser Sutherland

Non-fiction is essentially no different from fiction: one way or another a story is being told. Several entries in this year’s nonfiction competition possess story-telling appeal, but the winners I’ve chosen add an extra dimension: the portrayal of character.

First Prize: “Night Bus to Amsterdam; or How I Saved Frank & Ronnie’s Holiday” Noeline Bridge, NB
A wry account of misadventures involved in getting from Dover to Amsterdam across the English Channel in the company of a gay couple. Sympathetic, sharply observant, but never patronizing, the narrator doesn’t get in the way of the story’s human comedy.

Second Prize: "Who Was Uncle Stanley?" Sherman R. Fisher, NB
A poignant portrait of a rural old-timer who had come to a community as an outsider. The story’s anchored by a solid sense of place and of the past.

Third Prize: “The Leprechaun’s Garden” J. Bastarache, NB
A telescopic epic of a family seeking a new life in the countryside. The narrative’s a little breathless, but the theme of homecoming is ably shaped.

Richards Prize, Judge Michelle Butler Hallett

Winner “Punishing Ugly Children” Darryl Berger, ON
“Punishing Ugly Children” burrowed into my head and laid eggs. Highly polished, crisp and frightening. Should be submitted to a publisher.

Honourable Mention “Frog” Carla Gunn, NB
Goes brave places in a well-crafted narrative voice. Dares to be funny.

Alfred G. Bailey Poetry Prize, Judges Greg Cook and Carole Langille

Winner “The Morning When the World Was New” Margo Wheaton, NS
It distinguishes itself for its fresh voice. In these poems there is a heightened sense of exultation and anticipation within the hushed tone. Through her sure sense of rhythm and image the poet draws the reader into a vital, surprising and sensual world.

"Outside, the porch light
is keeping its vigil, more
constant than the human heart
that can only try
and fail to be faithful."

The poet of ‘The Morning When the World Was New” is faithful to her keen awareness of the day's casualties and blessings. Her poetic process itself highlights her intimate and natural voice which guides us in this new world.

It was difficult for the judges to come up with one outstanding runner-up as there were several excellent books that would fit that category. They include wonderful poems, although the whole manuscripts didn't yet hold together in their entirety.

Contestants should know their work is greatly admired.

Soirée Frye showcases musical, writing talents

Soirée Frye will bring together two of New Brunswick’s top bands - Les Païens
and Isaac and Blewett - for the first time ever! This exciting evening of entertainment will showcase these and other writing and musical talents at the Capitol Theatre, Thursday, April 26 at 8 p.m.

The event is one of a number to fuse prose, poetry and song during Frye Festival week in Moncton, N.B., April 25–29. Readings will be given by visiting authors Karen Solie, Georgette LeBlanc, Marilyn Lerch and Bryan Perro.

“We want to present language in all of its forms and show just how entertaining it can be,” says Festival chair Dawn Arnold. “The Festival is a celebration of words, whether they be song lyrics, poems or stories.”

Another Soirée Frye highlight will be the presentation of awards to the winners of the State Farm Essay Contest for young writers.

Admission is $5 at the door or look for your free pass in the newspapers Mascaret, Here, Dieppe Journal, This Week Moncton and This Week Riverview. “The passes are our way of saying thanks to local residents for their generous support of our festival,” says Arnold.

A free reception will follow this one-hour extravaganza, giving festival–goers an opportunity to meet and chat with the authors and musicians.

WFNB Members Reading at Frye

The starting time for the WFNB reading at the Frye Fest in Moncton, this Thursday, is 1:30pm and will run two hours.

We hope as many members as possible can join us at Mexicali Rosas (683 Main
Street) and hear Elizabeth Blanchard, Noeline Bridge, Laurie Glenn Norris, Edward Gates, Kelly Cooper and Tammy Armstrong read selections of fiction, non fiction, poetry and children's literature.

Come support our writers!

Frye Festival hosts extravaganza of music, readings and creativity

Readings, music, and creativity are on the menu for the Frye Jam at Aberdeen Cultural Centre on Saturday April 28. The extravaganza evening will feature readings of all kinds by 12 guest authors of the Frye Festival, accompanied by the music of Les Païens, hosts of the event. The public will also have the opportunity to enjoy Anglophone and Francophone musical acts and take part in a collective comic jam! Admission is $10 and the doors open at 8 pm.

The Frye Jam will feature musical guests Sean Booth, ParaNerd, Suzanne Léger, pAn, and Pascal Lejeune. “By mixing renown authors and musicians of great talent, we hope to create an atmosphere filled with creative energy,” explains Marc Poirier, artistic director for the event and the Frye Festival. Poirier is also enthusiastic at the idea of a comic jam taking place all through the evening. Between readings and songs, those who wish to explore their creative side can grab a pen and paper and let their imagination flow. Material will be supplied and the event will be mentored by comic book authors Michel Rabagliatti, Jeremy Tankard, Dano Leblanc, and Paul Roux. “The whole point is for people to explore their creative side and have fun! I’m certain that the end result will be original, nonetheless.”

Tickets for the Frye Jam can be purchased at the door for $10. Holders of a Festival pass can also attend the event. Festival passes are on sale now at the Capitol Theatre Box Office for admission to this and other festival events. See more details by checking out the festival website at www.frye.ca.

Noted Screenwriter Leading Workshop

New York-based screenwriter Randy Pearlstein is among the Frye Festival headliners who will lead a series of writing workshops during Festival Week, April 25-29 in Moncton. Pearlstein was a writer for the Dave Chappelle Show and has worked with the likes of Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen and Luc Besson. His Film & Television Writing Workshop (English with French translation) will be held Friday, April 27, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Théâtre l’Escaouette, 170 Botsford Street. Pearlstein will teach ffective techniques for both advanced and beginning film and television writers. Cost is $35. Please register by Monday, April 23, by phone (506) 859-4389 or e-mail at fryeworkshops@hotmail.com.

Please Note: The following are other workshops that will be offered as part of the Frye Festival, giving writers of all genres and levels of experience a unique opportunity to hone their skills. Please register in advance by phone (506) 382-3015 or e-mail at fryeworkshops@hotmail.com.
Leader: Lesley Choyce
Genre: Adults Writing for Children Workshop (English)
When: Wednesday April 25 3 - 5 p.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library, 644 Main Street
Cost: $10

Leader: Jo-Anne Elder
Genre: Postcard Story Workshop (Bilingual)
When: Thursday, April 26 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library
Cost: $10

Leader: Karen Solie
Genre: Poetry Workshop (English)
When: Friday April 27 9 – 11 a.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library
Cost: $10

Leader: Georgette LeBlanc
Genre: Creative Writing Workshop (French)
When: Friday April 27 9. – 11 a.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library
Cost: $10

Leader: Patrick Lane
Genre: Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (English)
When: Friday, April 27 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library
Cost: $10

Leader: Arlette Cousture
Genre: Creative Writing Workshop (French)
When: Saturday, April 28 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Where: Dieppe Public Library, 333 avenue Acadie
Cost: $10

Leader: Scott Tingley
Genre: Comic Book Writing Workshop for ages 8 to10 (English)
When: Saturday April 28 10-11 a.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library
Cost: Free (part of KidsFest)

Leader: Marie-France Comeau
Genre: Creative Writing Workshop for ages 6 to 9 (French)
When: Saturday April 28 10 – 11 a.m.
Where: Moncton Public Library
Cost: Free (part of KidsFest)

Leader: Jeremy Tankard
Genre: Comic Book Writing Workshop for ages 12 and up (English)
When: Saturday April 28 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road
Cost: $10 (proceeds go to Laubach Literacy)

Leader: Jeremy Beaulieu
Genre: Comic Book Writing Workshop for ages 12 and up (French)
When: Saturday April 28 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: United Book Store
Cost: $10 (proceeds go to Laubach Literacy)

Celebrated comic book creator on Frye Festival marquee

Expect the unexpected when Harvey Pekar takes the stage in one of the mostly highly anticipated events of this year’s Frye Festival. Pekar is the creator of American Splendor, an autobiographical comic book series that has elevated day-to-day experience into art. A film by the same name, and starring actor Paul Giamatti of Sideways fame, solidifies Pekar’s place as a counter-culture hero.

The public will have an opportunity to hear the world according to Pekar when the Cleveland-based author appears at the théâtre l’Escaouette, 170 Botsford Street, Moncton, Friday, April 27.

This one-man show, which starts at 8 p.m., promises to be a Frye Festival highlight, especially for comic book fans. “We are thrilled to have a comic book creator of Harvey Pekar’s calibre agree to come to Moncton and share his work as part of this year’s festival,” says Festival chairperson Dawn Arnold. “By having someone like Harvey Pekar here increases the “fun” factor and introduces a whole new genre of literature that is extremely popular.”

Pekar’s American Splendor series has been running for 30 years and during this time he has emerged as a sometimes colourful, controversial but always celebrated figure in the comic book community, with multiple appearances on the David Letterman Show to his credit.

Admission to Harvey Pekar Live is $10 and tickets can be purchased at the door or buy a festival pass which are on sale now at the Capitol Theatre Box Office for admission to this and other festival events. See more details by checking out the festival website at www.frye.ca.

Frye Festival Schedule of Events

Now in its 8th year, this five-day celebration of words officially opens April 25 on a quest to promote the pleasure and discovery of reading. Canada's only bilingual literary festival boasts appearances by almost 300 award-winning authors to date, an annual economic impact of $2 million plus on the greater Moncton region. This year its school visits will double, with some 8,000 schoolchildren throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island to welcome authors into their classrooms. The not-for-profit, volunteer-driven festival attracted 10,000 people to its events, donated $4,000 worth of new books to local schools (increases to $6,000 this year), and gave out $2,800 in prize money to new and young writers (this year's amount will also more than double).

Frye Festival Schedule

Tuesday, April 24

6-8 pm: Soirée littéraire - An evening to promote the fun of reading for kids and their families (in French). École Marée Montante, 49 College St., Saint-Louis-de-Kent

7-8:30 pm: Frye Symposium: Pop et Frye - "Anxieties of Identity: Popular Potboilers, Gothic Literature and Stories of the Self". Robert Lapp and Deborah Wills from Mount Allison University discuss popular literature past and present, with a focus on horror, literature of the macabre, and the Gothic (in English). Free admission. Moncton City Hall, 6th floor, 655 Main St

Wednesday, April 25

Writers in Schools - Beginning at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the school day

9:30-10:30 am: Frye Symposium: Lecture by Jean O'Grady - "Revaluing Values". Simultaneous translation. Free admission. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

11 am: Official Launch of the Festival, Moncton City Hall, Lobby, 655 Main St.

12:00 noon: YMCA Literacy Luncheon. Proceeds to the YMCA's Youth Tutor Club. Guest Speaker: Lesley Choyce. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of 8. To reserve, call the YMCA at 857-0606. Ramada Plaza Hotel, Crystal Palace, 499 Paul St., Dieppe

1:30-3:30 pm: Frye Symposium Roundtable. Authors discuss the topic: "Ways of Understanding Popular Culture". Moderator: Hélène Destrempes. Panelists: Brecken Rose Hancock, Serge Morin and Tony Tremblay. Simultaneous translation. Free admission. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

3-5 pm: Workshop for Adults Writing for Children with Lesley Choyce (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St


5 pm: Entre Nous, Rogers Television Frye Festival Special with Manon Levesque (repeated at 10 pm)

5-7 pm: A Tribute to Jean O'Grady. L'Auberge, Delta Beauséjour Hotel, 750 Main St.

7-9 pm: Reading and Discussion with Lorette Nobécourt, sponsored by Alliance Française and the Consulate General of France. Alliance Française, 241 St. George St.

7-9:30 pm: Aliant Café Underground - Performances by high school students of their own poetry, prose and songwritingMentors: Emily Pohl-Weary and Dano LeBlanc. Free admission. Empress Theatre, Robinson Court (adjoining Capitol Theatre, 811 Main St.)

Thursday, April 26

Writers in Schools - Beginning at 8:30 and continuing throughout the school day

9-11 am: Bilingual Postcard Story Workshop with Jo-Anne Elder - "I'm writing to tell you..."
To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

9:30-10:30 am: Frye Symposium Lecture by Robert D. Denham - "Frye's Magnum Opus: Fifty Years After". Simultaneous translation. Free admission. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

12-1 pm: Dialogue - Jean Fugère in conversation with Lorette Nobécourt (in French). Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

1:30-3:30 pm: Writers Federation of New Brunswick Readings, hosted by Lee Thompson. Readers include Tammy Armstrong, Elizabeth Blanchard, Noeline Bridge, Kelly Cooper, Laurie Glenn Norris and Ed Gates. Admission: $5. Mexicali Rosa's, 683 Main St.

5 pm: Entre Nous - Rogers Television Frye Festival Special with Manon Levesque (repeated at 10 pm)

6 pm to 7 pm: Dialogue - Patrick Lane in conversation with Bernice Eisenstein (in English). Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

8 pm: Soirée Frye - Readings by Karen Solie, Georgette LeBlanc, Marilyn Lerch and Bryan Perro
Musical Guests: Isaac & Blewett with Les Païens. Award Presentation to the winners of the State Farm Essay Contest. Admission is $5 at the door. Reception to follow. Capitol Theatre, 811 Main St.

10 pm: Night Howl - Featuring George Fetherling and Brigitte Harrison with musical guest Marc-André Léger. Admission: $5. Kramer's Corner, 702 Main St.

Friday, April 27

6-8:40 am: CBC Information Morning - Festival Broadcast. CBC Moncton's Information Morning will air an entire show on the Festival. The program is broadcast on CBC Radio One.

Writers in Schools - Beginning at 8:30 and continuing throughout the school day

9 am-5 pm: Writing for Film and Television Workshop with Randy Pearlstein (in English). Effective techniques for both advanced and beginning film and television writers. To register call 859-4389 by Monday, April 23. Registration fee: $35 - Simultaneous translation. Théâtre l'Escaouette, 170 Botsford St.

9-11 am: Poetry Workshop with Karen Solie (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

9-11 am: Creative Writing Workshop with Georgette LeBlanc (in French). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

12-1:30 pm: Roundtable - Authors discuss the topic: "The Graphic Novel Grows Up"
Moderator: Jean Fugère, with Bernice Eisenstein, Dano LeBlanc, Harvey Pekar and Michel Rabagliati. Simultaneous translation - Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

1:30-3:30 p.m.: Creative Non-Fiction Workshop with Patrick Lane (The Memoir) (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

5 pm: Entre Nous - Rogers Television Frye Festival Special with Manon Levesque (repeated at 10 pm)

5-6 pm: Book Signing by Harvey Pekar, United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road

5-6:30 pm: Mostly Fiction - Readings by: George Fetherling, Gilles Gougeon, Lorette Nobécourt and Elaine McClusky. Admission: $10. Creek Restaurant, 107 Robinson St.

8-9 pm. Harvey Pekar Live. Admission: $10. Théâtre l'Escaouette, 170 Botsford St.

10 pm: Night Howl - Featuring Emily Pohl-Weary and Serge Patrice Thibodeau with musical guests Urban Café. Admission: $5. Kramer's Corner, 702 Main St.

Saturday, April 28

9 am-12 pm: State Farm KidsFest for children 2 to 12 and their families. Author readings, book signings, workshops, comic strip writing, contests, etc. Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St. KidsFest schedule includes:

9 am: Michèle Laframboise - Reading
9:30 am: Jeremy Tankard - Reading
10 am: Coro Atlantica - Performance of excerpt from Seussical the Musical
10:30 am: Lesley Choyce - Reading
11 am: Marie-France Comeau - Reading
11:30 am: Dano Leblanc - Signing by Acadieman Creator


10-11 am: Comics in the Library Workshop for Students Aged 8 to 10 with Scott Tingley (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Free admission (www.comicsintheclassroom.net). Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

10-11 am: Writing Workshop for Students Aged 6 to 9 with Marie-France Comeau (in French). " Sur la trace des sens - avec Diego l'escargot ". To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Free admission. Moncton Public Library, 644 Main St.

10 am- 12 pm: Special Festival Broadcast: "Anne et compagnie". Host: Anne Godin. Radio-Canada Atlantique. www.radio-canada.ca/atlantique

9:30-11:30 am: Creative Writing Workshop with Arlette Cousture (in French). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Presented by Université de Moncton’s Alumni Association, Moncton Campus. Registration fee: $10. Dieppe Public Library, 333 Acadie Ave.

10-11:30 am: Saturday Brunch and Books. Brunch begins at 9:30, with readings at 10 by Laura Byrne Paquet, Gilles Gougeon, Brigitte Harrison and Elaine McCluskey. Admission: Cost of the meal. Kramer's Corner, 702 Main St.

11:30 am: The "Association France-Canada Moncton" Hosts Author Lorette Nobécourt. On the menu: Acadian Fricot - Admission: $15 (not included in Festival Pass). Registration: Ronald Cormier, 383-8563 or rcormier8563@rogers.com. Rotary Pavilion - St. Anselme Park, Dieppe

12-1 pm: The Antonine Maillet - Northrop Frye Lecture - Lecture by David Adams Richards entitled "Playing the Inside Out". Simultaneous translation. Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

1:30-2:30 pm: Dialogue - Tony Tremblay in conversation with David Adams Richards (in English). Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

2-4 pm: Comic Book Workshop for Students 12+ with Jeremy Tankard (in English). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Sponsored by Read's (all proceeds to Laubach Literacy). United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road.

2-4 pm: Comic Book Workshop for Students 12+ with Jimmy Beaulieu (in French). To register call: 382-3015 or fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Registration fee: $10. Sponsored by Read's (all proceeds to Laubach Literacy). United Book Store, 347 Mountain Road.

3-3:30 pm: Book Signings with Allan Cooper and Others! Festival Bookstore and Café, Lobby, Delta Beauséjour Hotel, 750 Main St.

3-4 pm: Dialogue - Gilles Gougeon in conversation with (to come) (in French). Admission: $10. Moncton City Hall, Council Chambers, 655 Main St.

3-4:30 pm: Aliant Budding Writers, Grade 5 to 8 students read their own work
Mentors: Emily Pohl-Weary and Paul Roux. Free admission. Riverview Middle School, 45 Devere Road, Riverview.

4-6 pm: The 'Not Just Another Book Launch' Event - Goose Lane Editions and Éditions Perce-Neige present their new titles, including works by Laura Byrne Paquet, Lesley Choyce, Tammy Armstrong, Georgette LeBlanc and others. Hosted by Goose Lane Editions' Susanne Alexander and Éditions Perce-Neige's Serge Patrice Thibodeau. Free admission. Reception to follow. Moncton City Hall, Lobby, 655 Main St.

8-11 pm: Frye Jam - An extravaganza of readings of all kinds, music and a comic jam.
Hosts: Les Païens. Musical Guests: Suzanne Léger, Sean Booth & ParaNerd, Pascal Lejeune and pAn. Admission: $10. Aberdeen Cultural Centre, 140 Botsford St.

Sunday, April 29

10-11:30 am: Brunch and Books - Readings and musings on the writing life with (to come) and Arlette Cousture. Also includes the Greater Moncton Literacy Advisory Board's annual "Adult New Writers Contest Awards". Tickets are $20 and must be purchased by April 27 through the Capitol Theatre Box Office or by telephone at 856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922. Delta Beauséjour Hotel, Mezzanine, 750 Main St.

1-2 pm: Poet flyé Says Bye Bye! Paul Bossé reads his Poet flyé epic creation. Unveiling of the Northrop Frye commemorative plaque. Free admission, food, music and parking. Greater Moncton International Airport, Destinations Lounge, 2nd Floor, 777 Aviation Ave., Dieppe.

Frye Festival brunch toasts new writers, promotes literacy

In his essay The Educated Imagination, Northrop Frye describes literacy “as fundamental a problem as getting enough to eat or a place to sleep”. Here, in New Brunswick, the problem is so pervasive, that 60% of the province’s population would have difficulty reading and understanding Frye’s quotation.

That’s why literacy is one of the three “Ls” that fuel Moncton’s Frye Festival (language and literature being the other two); and why the Festival’s popular Brunch and Books is such a fitting close to this annual celebration of reading and writing.

This year’s Brunch and Books will be held Sunday, April 29 at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel, beginning at 10 a.m., and is made possible by the generosity of its sponsor the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. One of the brunch’s highlights is the awarding of prizes to the top six English and French new adult writers, as chosen by the Greater Moncton Literacy Advisory Board.

"Literacy opens doors for Atlantic Canadians, allowing them to reach their potential and live fuller lives," said Michelle Carinci, ALC President and CEO. "I've had the privilege of talking with adult learners and I am always awed by their courage anddedication. Through the Peter Gzowski Invitation Golf Tournaments for Literacy, to projects aimed at our youth, ALC is committed to working with Atlantic Canadians to enhance literacy throughout our region."

The brunch is also highlighted by the informal, intimate and even inspiring presentations of two festival authors. This year it’s British Columbia poet Patrick Lane and Quebec novelist Arlette Cousture who will read selections from their books and share their writing experiences with the new adult writers.

A writer for 25 years, Cousture has numerous publications to her credit including the novels Les filles de Caleb, Ces enfants d’ailleurs, J’aurais voulu vous dire William and Tout la-bas, Gypsies for television, as well as short stories.

Lane is regarded by critics and scholars as one of the finest poets of his generation. He has published numerous volumes of poetry over the last 40 years, as well as his latest memoir There is a Season: A Memoir in a Garden.

Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at the Capitol Theatre Box Office. They can also be purchased by calling 506-856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922. Due to limited seating, tickets must be purchased by April 27, so pick up yours today and don’t be disappointed.

The brunch is one of the Festival’s final day events, the other being a reading of Poet flyé’s epic creation by Paul Bosse at the Greater Moncton International Airport, at 1 p.m.

Join the WFNB in Sackville this Weekend

The WFNB will be in Sackville, NB, this weekend for workshops, readings, an Awards Banquet and its Annual General Meeting for the membership. Anyone may take workshops, enjoy readings or attend the banquet, whether you are a WFNB member or not. Late registrations are welcome! You can still sign up in-person at the Marshlands Inn with Executive Director, Mary Hutchman, on Friday or Saturday. Call Marshlands Inn at (506)536-0170 or 1-800-561-1266 to book a room for overnight (www.marshlands.nb.ca).

The line-up of events is as follows:

Friday, April 13
Poetry & Music (In)Tense with Kathy Mac, Greg Cook, Marilyn Lerch, J.J. Steinfeld, Laurence Hutchman, Alasdair Maclean, Janet Hammock and Karin Aurell at the Owens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University, 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 14
9 - 10:30 AM Annual General Meeting
10:30 - 10:45 Coffee break
10:45 - 12:30 K.V. Johansen Workshop or Kent Stetson Workshop
12:30 - 2 PM Lunch
2 - 4 PM J.J. Steinfeld Workshop
6:30 PM Cash Bar
7 PM Banquet Dinner & 2007 Literary Awards Ceremony

Sunday, April 16
10 AM Open Mic

Hope to see you there! Come hang out with writerly type people! Become inspired! Make new friends and see old ones! It's all happening in Sackville this weekend. See you there!

Anne Compton featured poet at odd sundays at molly’s

Sunday, April 15, 2007, 2 pm
Molly’s Coffee House
554 Queen Street, Fredericton

Featured reader Anne Compton is a poet, critic, and anthologist. Born and raised on Prince Edward Island, she currently teaches literature and creative writing at the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. The author of numerous critical essays, she has also edited a collection of Milton Acorn’s poetry. Compton’s book of poetry, Opening the Island, was a winner of the 2003 Atlantic Poetry Prize and a nominee for the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award, 2002. She co-edited Coastlines, an anthology of poetry from Atlantic Canadians. Her book of poetry, Processional (Fitzhenry & Whiteside), won the 2005 Governor General’s Award for Poetry.

"She is scholarly and elegant, her spine straight as an English schoolteacher's; she slouches in her chair and orders a beer with the gusto and relief of a working man. The poetry she writes hides layer upon layer of meaning; she is open and direct, asking as many questions as she, well, evades. She is sharp, she is ruthless; she is kind and always, always, hospitable. Compton's language is like the poet herself, spare but beautiful, inviting you to take a closer look, to see what might lie behind the simple facade." —Telegraph Journal

"Anne Compton's Processional is both a still-life and a tableau, with moments of perfect stillness and of passionate arrival. This book skillfully marries history to the present, and pulls the everyday into light." —Governor General Jury's Comments

Open Set: Bring lyrics, fiction, drama, or music to present in the open set. If it is created from words, we want it.

Please join us at 2 pm on Sunday, April 15 at Molly’s Coffee House for an afternoon engaged with literature.

For information: acalvern@nbnet.nb.ca or 459-1436. (Just say yes to poetry.)

Aliant Cafe Underground

One of the new and exciting additions to the Frye Festival line-up is Aliant Café Underground – an event that gives the literary stars of tomorrow their own stage to shine.

Made possible by the generous support of Aliant, the event encourages students in Districts 1 and 2 to present their original works of poetry, prose and song lyrics to an appreciative local audience.

Their venue will be the Empress Theatre with curtains to rise on their performances, Wednesday, April 25, beginning at 7 p.m.

Aliant Café Underground is one of the opening events of the five-day Frye Festival which runs until April 29 in Moncton.

Aliant Café Underground supports the Festival’s goal of providing young writers with opportunities to share their creations, says chairperson Dawn Arnold. “This is their chance to be in the spotlight, to experience the magic of their own words as part of a larger literary community.”

Arnold hopes there will be a strong show of public support for the students at this premiere event of original song and poetry.

“I am certain that residents of this region will be impressed to discover the wealth of literary talent that is in our schools,” concludes Arnold, adding, “We can promote that talent with our applause and cheers.”

Aliant is also the sponsor of Aliant Budding Writers which gives Middle School students, Grades 5-8, an opportunity to read their original work. This event will be held at the Riverview Middle School on Saturday, April 28, from 3-4:30 p.m. Festival authors Emily Pohl-Weary and Paul Roux will serve as mentors, providing encouragement and inspiration to the young writers.

Festival passes are now on sale at the Capitol Theatre Box Office. For more details about the Frye Festival, contact the festival office at 859-4389 or visit the festival website at www.frye.ca

Telling All Our Stories in NB

NEW BRUNSWICK
FILMMAKERS CO-OPERATIVE

TELLING ALL OUR STORIES in NB is a production support program aimed at providing opportunities for Visible Minority and Aboriginal artists to express themselves creatively through the medium of video.

Applicants to the fund must be New Brunswick residents, new to filmmaking or have less than 2 videos to their credit. Up to 2 awards will be given annually. Successful applicants have one year to complete their project.

Eligible projects are those over which the artist has creative and editorial control. All genres are accepted (i.e. experimental, drama, documentary, video installation, and new media.). Artists crossing over trom other disciplines (i.e. theatre, writing, visual arts, and dance) are also welcome.

A screening of completed productions will be held either within the Silver Wave Film Festival Program or as a special separate event. Applicants retain copyright to their productions, but they must provide a copy of their tape to be kept in the NBFC's archives.

Deadline: June 1, 2007

The successful applicants receive:
A one-year full membership;
_ up to $1700 in access to NBFC video equipment;
_ a $350 credit towards any required/elective workshop(s) that will enable you to complete your project (required workshops must be taken in order to produce a work);
_ up to $450 in cash;
_ video production information

Applicants must submit:
- a current resume (with emphasis on your artistic work)
- a l to 2 page description of the proposed project (may include a script, treatment, or storyboard) - a production schedule
- a budget

New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-operative
PO Box 1537, Stn A
Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y1
Tel: (506) 455_1632 Fax: (506) 457_2006
Email: info@nbfilmcoop.com Website: www.nbfilmcoop.com

NB Filmmakers’ Co-operative wishes to thank the following sponsors for their ongoing financial support: New Brunswick Film, The Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada, National Film Board and the Province of New Brunswick

Book Camp and Brantford Summer Writing Workshops

Brantford will be holding its 4th annual Book Camp for kids this coming August. They have upped the maximum age of participants to 14 from 12 because they have so many kids who want to return each year. In past years, they've had kids come from Oshawa, Kitchener, Hamilton and Toronto.

Also this is the second year for their Summer Writing Workshops. These workshops are for published and aspiring writers over the age of 16. Last year, participants came from Washington State and Winnipeg, as well as within driving distance of Brantford. Two of their unpublished participants from last year have since received book contracts. They have upped the enrollment from 16 to 24 and have tripled the number of workshop leaders.

If you know of anyone who might be interested in attending either of these writing workshops, please pass on this link: http://calla.com/bookcamp/index.html

Third Call for Submissions

Women Creating Community:
Women and Community in New Brunswick, a Gathering of Voices

This project, organized by editions ellipse inc and coordinated by Jo-Anne Elder, involves women writers and translators from New Brunswick’s English_speaking, Acadian and First Nations communities.

The intention is to publish a collection of short literary pieces and works of visual art on the theme of women and community. Community will be defined in a very broad sense, for instance in reference to the artist’s sense of place or “home,” the development and influences of other artists, her family or neighbourhood, creative work and community activism, urban or rural life, her conception of the linguistic, literary and cultural community or communities of New Brunswick, and creating woman's space in the community. We hope to present a range of perspectives on what it means to live in New Brunswick as a Maritime, Acadian or First Nations woman artist at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

All of the writers, translators and artists involved will be women from New Brunswick. We envision short reflections accompanied by poetry or prose, which will appear in two or three languages (English and French, and in many cases Wolastoqiyik and/or Mi’kmaq), as well as visual works. Please submit a maximum of three pages of poetry or a short story under 1500 words for consideration of the jury, along with a reflection on the theme (approx. 250 words).

Deadline: June 1, 2007
elder@nb.sympatico.ca or
editions ellipse
180 Liverpool Street
Fredericton NB E3B 4V5

We appreciate the financial contribution of artsnb to this project.

Wake Up Mr. Harper

In conjunction with other arts groups, The Writers’ Union of Canada is holding an Awakening in Ottawa, on April 16, to open the eyes of the Harper government to the cultural and economic contribution the arts make to Canada.

“Canada’s cultural health depends upon the constant flow and consumption of art and artistic ideas,” said Deborah Windsor, executive director for the Union. “The arts, like our lakes and rivers, are a vital natural resource.”

Ron Brown, chair of the Union, pointed out that the Arts tell us who we are. It is through the creations of Canadian artists that Canadians learn about Canada and themselves and the world has a better understanding of us as a sovereign nation. Brown added that the cultural sector enriches Canadian society and showcases Canada abroad and contributed $40 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2002 more than agriculture, logging, forestry, mining and oil and gas combined.

Writers and filmmakers and playwrights and visual artists are holding a press conference in the Centre Block pressroom on Parliament Hill at 1:30 pm. After the press conference, we will gather in front of Centre Block for an awakening event.

Vice chair Susan Swan explained that younger writers are the ones who will suffer most from Harper's cuts to cultural programs abroad, ending a thirty year tradition of the Canadian government supporting its artists and writers with foreign distribution of films and foreign publications of their work.

The Writers' Union of Canada is our country's national organization representing professional authors of books. Founded in 1973, the Union is dedicated to fostering writing in Canada, and promoting the rights, freedoms, and economic well being of all writers. For more information, please visit www.writersunion.ca.

The Griffin Poetry Prize

The Griffin Poetry Prize Announces the 2007 Canadian and International Shortlist
An Unprecedented 483 Eligible Books Submitted

Scott Griffin, founder of The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry and David Young, trustee, announced the Canadian and International shortlist for this year’s prize. The C$100,000 Griffin Poetry Prize is one of the most lucrative poetry prizes in the world – exemplifying the international spirit of the form. The prize is awarded annually for the two best books of poetry, including translations, published in English in the previous year.

Judges John Burnside, Charles Simic and Karen Solie read 483 books of poetry, including 18 translations, received from 15 countries around the globe. The seven finalists – three Canadian and four International – will be invited to read in Toronto at the MacMillan Theatre on Tuesday, June 5, 2007. The winners, who each receive C$50,000, will be announced on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at the seventh annual Griffin Poetry Prize Awards Evening.

Canadian Shortlist

Airstream Land Yacht
Ken Babstock
House of Anansi Press

Strike/Slip
Don McKay
McClelland & Stewart

Ontological Necessities
Priscila Uppal
Exile Editions

International Shortlist

Tramp in Flames
Paul Farley
Picador

Salvation Blues
Rodney Jones
Houghton Mifflin

Ooga-Booga
Frederick Seidel
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Scar Tissue
Charles Wright
Farrar, Straus and Giroux

The judges for the 2007 Griffin Poetry Prize are the distinguished poets John Burnside (Dunfermline, Scotland), Charles Simic (New Hampshire, USA) and Karen Solie (Toronto, Canada).

Each year, the Griffin Poetry Prize publishes an anthology, a selection of poems from the shortlisted books, published by House of Anansi Press. Royalties from the Griffin Poetry Prize Anthology are donated to UNESCO's World Poetry Day.

The Griffin Poetry Prize was launched in September, 2000 by trustees Margaret Atwood, Carolyn Forché, Scott Griffin, Robert Hass, Michael Ondaatje, Robin Robertson and David Young. Each year, the trustees (with the exception of Scott Griffin) are responsible for selecting the judges for the prize.

The Griffin Trust For Excellence In Poetry was created to serve and encourage poetry written in English anywhere in the world. Eligible collections of poetry, including translations, must be submitted by publishers no later than December 31 in the calendar year of their publication.

Tickets for the Readings to be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2007 at the MacMillan Theatre are available at www.griffinpoetryprize.com/tickets or by calling 905-565-5993.

Frye Festival brunch

In his essay The Educated Imagination, Northrop Frye describes literacy “as fundamental a problem as getting enough to eat or a place to sleep”. Here, in New Brunswick, the problem is so pervasive, that 60% of the province’s population would have difficulty reading and understanding Frye’s quotation.

That’s why literacy is one of the three “Ls” that fuel Moncton’s Frye Festival (language and literature being the other two); and why the Festival’s popular Brunch and Books is such a fitting close to this annual celebration of reading and writing.

This year’s Brunch and Books will be held Sunday, April 29 at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel, beginning at 10 a.m., and is made possible by the generosity of its sponsor the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. One of the brunch’s highlights is the awarding of prizes to the top six English and French new adult writers, as chosen by the Greater Moncton Literacy Advisory Board.

"Literacy opens doors for Atlantic Canadians, allowing them to reach their potential and live fuller lives," said Michelle Carinci, ALC President and CEO. "I've had the privilege of talking with adult learners and I am always awed by their courage and dedication. Through the Peter Gzowski Invitation Golf Tournaments for Literacy, to projects aimed at our youth, ALC is committed to working with Atlantic Canadians to enhance literacy throughout our region."

The brunch is also highlighted by the informal, intimate and even inspiring presentations of two festival authors. This year it’s British Columbia poet Patrick Lane and Quebec novelist Arlette Cousture who will read selections from their books and share their writing experiences with the new adult writers.

A writer for 25 years, Cousture has numerous publications to her credit including the novels Les filles de Caleb, Ces enfants d’ailleurs, J’aurais voulu vous dire William and Tout la-bas, Gypsies for television, as well as short stories.

Lane is regarded by critics and scholars as one of the finest poets of his generation. He has published numerous volumes of poetry over the last 40 years, as well as his latest memoir There is a Season: A Memoir in a Garden.

Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at the Capitol Theatre Box Office. They can also be purchased by calling 506-856-4379 or 1-800-567-1922. Due to limited seating, tickets must be purchased by April 27, so pick up yours today and don’t be disappointed.

The brunch is one of the Festival’s final day events, the other being a reading of Poet flyé’s epic creation by Paul Bosse at the Greater Moncton International Airport, at 1 p.m.

Launch

Frye Festival Workshops for Writers of all Genres

The 2007 Frye Festival is a do-not-miss event for writers who want to brush up on their writing skills or try their hand at new forms of writing. From April 25 to 29 in Moncton, the Festival will offer a variety of workshops for writers of all genres including poetry, fiction, creative writing, memoir writing, postcard writing, writing for film, comic book writing and adults writing for children.

Noted screenwriter Randy Pearlstein will lead a Film and Television Writing Workshop on Friday, April 27 from 9 am to 5 pm. He has worked on productions alongside film greats Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Luc Besson, and Dave Chappelle. Pearlstein’s workshop will be in English with simultaneous translation in French and will take place at the Théâtre l’Escaouette at 170 Botsford. The registration fee is $35.

A creative writing workshop in French with renowned Quebec novelist Arlette Cousture will be held Saturday,April 28 from 9:30 am to 11:30 pm. The workshop will take place at the Dieppe Public Library at 333 avenue Acadie. Arlette Cousture is the author of the series Les Filles de Caleb and Ces Enfants d'ailleurs as well as the novel J'aurais voulu vous dire William. The registration fee is $10.

A workshop for Adults Writing for Children in English will be offered by Lesley Choyce on Wednesday, April 25 from 3 pm to 5 pm. Jo-Anne Elder will give a bilingual Postcard Story Workshop on Thursday, April 26 from 9 am to 11 am. On Friday April 27, the public will have the chance to attend an English poetry workshop with Karen Solie and a French creative writing workshop with Georgette LeBlanc from 9 am to 11 am. All of these workshops will be held at the Moncton Public Library at 644 Main Street.

Saturday, April 28 will be another busy Festival day. Those who wish to write their memoirs can attend Patrick Lane’s Creative Non-Fiction Workshop from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Moncton City Hall, 655 Main Street. Workshops for kids will be held from 10 am to 11 am at the Moncton Public Library during the Kidsfest event: Comics in the Library for kids 8 to 10 with Scott Tingley (in English) and a creative writing workshop in French for kids 6 to 9 with Marie-France Comeau. Kids aged 12 and older will have the chance to learn about writing comic books in English and in French with Jeremy Tankard and Jimmy Beaulieu from 2 pm to 4 pm at the United Book Store at 347 Mountain Road.

People can register for the workshops by phone at (506) 382-3015 or by email at fryeworkshops@hotmail.com. Most workshops are $10 each (some exceptions) and sell out quickly!