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Writing a memoir can be a freeing and exciting experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking to put yourself and your past out in the world for the entire world to see.
Local author Rayanne Haines had to confront those nerves when she wrote her poetic memoir, What Kind of Daughter? out Oct. 11 from Frontenac House Poetry. She will do so again when she talks about her book at a panel for LitFest, one of the two major literary festivals in the area this month.
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Her book is part poetry, and part creative nonfiction, with some pieces bridging the two genres. Haines reflects on life after the loss of her mother to cancer. She says she let the writing dictate the form, letting the words flow into whatever they needed to be on the page.
“It is very much me writing as a witness to my own life and my own experiences,” says Haines. “I as a person am comfortable with vulnerability. If you’re going to write any nonfiction work or memoir you have to be comfortable with people seeing those more tender parts of you.”
Haines will lead a panel on memoir writing with Danny Ramadan, Ellen Anderson Penno, and Minelle Mahtani. Each has written about life after loss, the theme of this year’s memoir panel.
It’s one of more than a dozen literary events happening Oct. 16 to 20 at various downtown locations for LitFest. The annual non-fiction festival is bringing in big authors from around the country to talk about their books, while also highlighting the incredible works by local authors and authors with a local connection.
“There’s this almost competition between west and east,” says Ellen Kartz, the festival interim executive director. “But there’s so many amazing authors here in Alberta. It’s also great to give them a place alongside big names we’re bringing from out of province and out of town.”
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Kate Black, Cole Nowicki and Amy Kaler are among the local authors who are lined up to speak at various events throughout the five days. The Polyglot, a literary and art magazine in the city, will be launching their 13th issue, while Fashion Television host Jeanne Beker will be talking about her new memoir, Heart on My Sleeve, at one of the feature events.
Just as important as the authors are the presenters and moderators, the people asking the probing questions and trying to get the best discussion for the audience. Kartz said she put a lot of thought into pairing the invited authors with moderators who can understand the author’s book and put it into context for the audience.
She points to the feature presentation for Friday night, with author Tanya Talaga in conversation with local author and Governor General’s Book Awards nominee Jenna Butler. Talaga is the author of the national bestseller Seven Fallen Feathers, about the deaths of seven Indigenous high school students in the span of 11 years in Thunder Bay.
“People end up answering a lot of the same questions,” says Kartz. “When I came to Jenna Butler. I thought of her own writing being very rooted in the land.”
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STARFest’s focus on fiction
That same between moderators and authors was a consideration for organizers at the St. Albert Reader’s Festival. STARFest runs Oct. 17 to 28 at the St. Albert Library and focuses on popular and award-winning authors.
Conor Kerr, whose most recent book Prairie Edge made the shortlist for this year’s Giller Prize, will be hosted by Jordan Abel, another award-winning local author. The pair are both professors at the English and Film Studies department at the University of Alberta and their relationship will allow them to delve more deeply into the book.
“My predecessor had such a rich pool of people calling upon previously. It was going through some of these past interviewers and making pairs that I found meaningful,” says Julie Ruel, the STARFest Director, who chose Abel to speak with Kerr. “I loved his book. I thought it could add a more robust level to the conversation.”
Other popular presenters include Paula It’s her first year at the helm of the literary festival, putting her own stamp on the popular festival, bringing in names from across the publishing world.
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Giller winner Elizabeth Hay will be talking about her Novel Snow Road Station, while Guy Vanderhaeghe will be talking about his new nonfiction collection, Because Somebody Asked me To, in conversation with Senator and former Edmonton Journal columnist Paula Simons.
“Paula Simons is a huge draw. People buy tickets for her events no matter who she is talking to,” says Ruel.
Kevin Chong, Claudia Dey and Rose Sutherland are the final three authors coming to STARFest this year.
With only six authors this year, it’s a lighter festival than years past. Ruel says she is planning a series of author events starting in January, an effort to space events throughout the year. She has already lined up Benjamin Hertwig and Karen Anderson for events in the new year.
LitFest
When: Oct. 16 – 20
Where: Various locations including Citadel Theatre, Stanley A. Milner Library, 99Ten (9910 109 St.)
Tickets: Some free events, remainder are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $35 for the brunch and learn event which includes food, available at litfestalberta.org.
STARFest
When: Oct. 17 – 28
Where: Forsyth Hall, St. Albert Public Library, #5 St. Anne St., St. Albert
Tickets: $7, available at www.starfest.ca
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