At the Book Bash Festival

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Joanne Guidoccio

book-bash-001 Yesterday, I joined over thirty local authors, poets, publishers, and literary organizations for this year’s Book Bash Festival at the Red Papaya Restaurant in downtown Guelph. Presented by the Friends of Vocamus Press in partnership with Action Read, The Bookshelf, and the Guelph Public Library, this celebration is a much anticipated fall event.

Throughout the afternoon, poets and authors of all genres–fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, Young Adult, memoir, short story and essay collections, children’s books, adult coloring books, visual art, inspirational literature–gave short introductions, sold copies, and mingled with the audience.

Special thanks to…

book-bash-008 Host Anna Bowen and singer/musician Madison Gallway for an entertaining afternoon.

Volunteers who helped with the planning and organization throughout the past year.

Our sponsors: CareWell, JanusBooks, Living Yoga & Health, Modern Castles, Moisan & Associates, University of Guelph Library.

Servers at Red Papaya for their cheerful and efficient service. BTW…Great spring rolls!

And, last but definitely not least, Luke Hill of Vocamus Press for spearheading this annual event. We appreciate your commitment to showcasing the written word in Guelph and Wellington County.

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Eden Mills Writers’ Festival–2013

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Joanne Guidoccio

It’s hard to believe the Eden Mills Festival is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. This annual literary picnic does not disappoint, even when the weather fails to co-operate. As the temperatures dropped and the rain fell yesterday, jackets were donned and umbrellas were opened, but very few people left the grounds.

Inspired by such internationally acclaimed writers as Linwood Barclay, Andrew Pyper, Cathy Marie Buchanan, David Bergen and Elizabeth Ruth, I also welcomed the opportunity to sit in on up-and-coming writers from the MFA program at the University of Guelph. I was impressed by the passionate and evocative voices of the 2013 Guelph Poetry Slam Team and not surprised to hear they are the current provincial slam champions.

Linwood Barclay photographed by Patricia Anderson

Andrew Pyper photographed by Patricia Anderson

Eden Mills Writers’ Festival

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Joanne Guidoccio

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This day is blessed.

The angels are looking down.

Lillian Nattel

We all nodded in agreement as best-selling author Lillian Nattel praised this magical community event that occurs once a year on the banks of the Eramosa River in the tiny village of Eden Mills.

The weather co-operated and added to our enjoyment as we wandered around the village, eating and drinking, stopping to browse through books and sitting in on readings at the various venues—the Mill, the Cottage, the Sculpture Garden, Common and the Chapel.

Inspired by such internationally acclaimed writers as Michelle Landsberg, Linden MacIntyre, Richard Gwyn, Lillian Nattel and Ami McKay, I also welcomed the opportunity to sit in on up-and-coming writers. While at the chapel, I listened to five writers from the MFA program at the University of Guelph and the winners of this year’s writing contest. Patricia Anderson, friend and fellow member of Guelph Writers Ink, read her award-winning story, Growing Pains.