Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival

I'm happy to be here.

In July,  I attended this small but mighty literary festival, one of the best ever. Perfectly organized, the festival offered a fine selection of authors, great food, friendly people, good acoustics, and a relaxed atmosphere with time to talk to the writers, buy books, meet and mingle. Next door to the main stage is Abraxas Books, one of those browse- able indie book shops which should be in every Canadian city and town, but alas isn't.

Abraxas Books

Denman Island, a ferry ride from Buckley Bay south of Comox, B.C., is itself a prime destination, a place to wander, birdwatch, admire the ocean views, the huge trees and stop for farm produce where  you pay on the honour system. The town is small (the coffee shop is in the hardware store) but full of interest. The local bumper stickers advise "Keep Denman Weird" and that says it all.

The literary mix was eclectic. Non fiction, poetry, aboriginal works, fiction along with a focus on aboriginal and enviromental issues made for an exciting selection. Some of my favourite authors were there:Marina Endicott, Emily St. John Mandel and Sarah Dunant, the great historical writer. There was a chance for some talented locals to read their work as well.

Sarah Dunant, writer of historical fiction

I sat mesmerized listening to Sheri-D Wilson's performance poetry. I watched and listened as Sarah Dunant illustrated her talk with slides of renaissance art that reveal women's roles at the time.Bev Sellers tells us that "If you are born Aboriginal, you're born into politics whether you want to  or not." Later she will discuss her personal struggle to survive Indian Residential Schooling.

Environmentalist Christine Lowther

I tried hard to limit my book purchases. But I could not resist  "I'm Right and You're an Idiot: The Toxic State of Public Discourse."  by James Hoggan. Hoggan, who was in public relations, set out to find why conversations between people with different points of view often go nowhere or become acrimonious even when the facts are presented. Why do some people resist facts but just shout their prejudices. His book was a feast for thought.