Ottawa International Writers Festival

The Ottawa International Writers Festival is on again this fall. You cannot pretend to love books and not attend this well organized festival in Canada's capital city. Basically, I attend because the Steam Whistle pilsner is cheap and cold--seeing the authors read is a bonus. The organizers finally updated their web site this year and the line up of authors scheduled to appear are top notch (as usual). I am especially looking forward to seeing Gordon Sheppard, Alberto Manguel, Damon Galgut, "the" S.E. Hinton (high school memories), Alistair MacLeod, Colin McAdam (just bought his book today at Chapters) among many others.

Membership Passes and individual tickets are available over the phone at (613) 562-1243 or from Nicholas Hoare, 419 Sussex Drive. Tickets for most events cost $12 for the General Public and $10 for Students and Seniors. Events that are $5 or offered Free are marked in the schedule. Tickets for individual Ottawa International Writers Festival events are available over the phone until September 24, 2004. After September 24, tickets will only be available at the venue prior to events. Please call for special school rates and book club bookings. Looking for the best deal? A one-year Membership to the Ottawa International Writers Festival - which cost just $65 or $55 for students and Seniors - entitles holders to:* Free access to the entire Festival from September 29 to October 6, 2004* Special discounts on all year-round programming, including the CanadaEuropa festival and upcoming guests like Norman Jewison and David Suzuki* 10% off at Nicholas Hoare books on Sussex Drive* A subscription to our new e-mail newsletter which we'll be launching in November. To become a Member, please email Leslie Wilson at leslie@writersfest.com or call (613) 562-1243.