The Heart of Niagara Fall Reading Series, which takes place at the Pelham Public Library every autumn, is one of Open Book: Ontario's newest Literary Landmarks. The Scrapbook is already underway, so if you have had the pleasure of attending a reading by Lawrence Hill, Richard B. Wright, Nino Ricci, Joan Barfoot or any of the other internationally recognized authors who have been hosted by the Heart of Niagara, please feel free to contribute your photos, videos or stories about the event! (Contact Erin at erin@openbookontario.com to find out how).
You don't have to wait until autumn for the next great line-up of authors! CBC Canada Reads winner Terry Fallis will pay a visit to the Fonthill Branch on Wednesday, April 6th at 2:00 p.m. Please contact the Pelham Public Library at (905) 892-6443 or visit their website for more details.
Here, Elaine Anderson, one of the organizers of the reading series, talks to Open Book about how the series got underway and what she loves the most about being part of the vibrant literary community in the heart of wine country.
Open Book:
Tell us about the Heart of Niagara Fall Reading Series.
Elaine Anderson:
Back in 2000 the library board and CEO wanted to offer more in the way of programs. An important aspect of programming would be author readings. We partnered with a number of local libraries while we were "learning the ropes." By 2004 we had thought about offering a series with a minimum of three readings and chose the fall season as the time to do that.
Geographically, Pelham is central to the Niagara Peninsula, and as we were searching for a suitable name, "Heart of Niagara" struck us as true in more sense than just geographically. The Canada Council for the Arts and the Writers' Union of Canada have both been very generous in helping this small library reach its goals of making world-class authors accessible to the local community.
We have brought authors such as Lawrence Hill, Richard B. Wright, Nino Ricci, Peter Robinson, Terry Fallis, Joan Barfoot, Kelley Armstrong, C. C. Humphreys, Giles Blunt, Deborah Ellis, Frances Itani, Robert J. Sawyer, Catherine Gildiner, Rick Mofina, Maureen Jennings and Mary Jane Maffini to the area. From comments made by some of the authors, we know they appreciate getting to know their readers and being able to meet people from a different area in Canada.
OB:
Which reading from last year's season stands out in your mind, and why?
EA:
Linwood Barclay's reading stands out as one of the most humorous. Although he may be most famous for his mystery/intrigue novels, he has been a humour columnist for the Toronto Star. Barclay weaves dark humour into his novels but he has also written a very poignant memoir, Last Resort, which was shortlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Barclay was a master storyteller, as he described the pitfalls of being a Canadian author, famous throughout the world, but unrecognized in his own country. It was the typical Canadian self-deprecating humour that hit the funny bone of the audience.
OB:
How do you decide which authors you will invite to read?
EA:
We try hard to promote Canadian talent by inviting first-time authors such as Frances Itani (Deafening), Terry Fallis (The Best Laid Plans), Anne Fleming (Anomaly), Rachael Preston (Tent of Blue) and Catherine Marie Buchanan (The Day the Falls Stood Still).
In many cases, we have been ahead of ourselves and have seen these authors go on to win numerous awards and become very well known. Case in point is Terry Fallis, who won the Stephen Leacock Award and CBC's Canada Reads for The Best Laid Plans. We found out today that Fallis’ second book, The High Road, has made the short list for the 2010 Stephen Leacock Award.
We also try to invite at least one author that is well known, in order to bring in a good audience for the series. We have been very fortunate that authors have been generous enough to say "yes" to our invitations. In my experience, Canadian authors are very happy to meet their readers.
OB:
Is there an opportunity for questions and discussion after each reading? What are some of the questions that audience members have for the authors?
EA:
There are usually 15 to 20 minutes for questions. Some of the questions audience members have asked are:
What is your writing process?
Will there be a sequel?
What kinds of books do you read?
How did you think up the idea for ___________ ?
Some questions are specific to the book, such as why characters are portrayed in a certain way and if they are based on real people.
OB:
What are some other services or programs that the Pelham Public Library offers its members?
EA:
The Pelham Public Library offers a range of services and programs for people of all ages. There are regular Storytime sessions for children under a year old to age six, book talks for youth and teens and many special children’s events each season. We hold many local author readings and seminars on a variety of topics, and we host guest speakers with specialties in gardening, architecture, travel, health and many other interests. We have specific programs for “55 and Better.”
Our resources include books, magazine, ebooks, electronic audio books, playaways, movies, music, and much more. The Festival Room is a gathering place for the community and often artists in the community show their work there.
OB:
Would you give us a piece of trivia about literary life in Niagara that the rest of Ontario may not know?
EA:
Canadian literary giant Richard B. Wright calls Niagara home and is retired from teaching at Ridley College, a private school located in St. Catharines. His most recognized work, Clara Callan, is the winner of three major literary awards: The Giller Prize, the Trillium Book Award and the Governor General's Award.
OB:
What do you enjoy the most about being a part of Niagara's literary community?
EA:
I enjoy meeting the authors and gaining a little insight into the person behind the prose. It also gives me a great deal of satisfaction to be part of the process that allows authors and readers to come together.
_________________________________
Elaine Anderson is the Public Services Coordinator for the Pelham Public Library.
For more information about programs at the Pelham Public Library, please visit their website.
Post new comment