Heavy readers will get a heavy load of authors in Quesnel.
One of the largest collections of local scribes ever assembled in one room will bring out the bibliophiles to the Cariboo District Library on May 24. Fiction writer Bev Fox made the arrangements as a tip of her hat to the peers she admires from the area, and also out of author empathy.
"I've done my share of library signings where not a lot of people have shown up," said Fox, who wrote the novels Piper In Crisis and Piper's Call (a third Piper novel is anticipated) and also writes poetry. "I had a brainstorm that if we got a number of authors to be there at the same time, it would draw that many more people, and a mix of people so there will be a better chance of readers finding good books they might be interested in."
The library in Quesnel was interested in the idea, and other book industry contacts were happy to help as well. Fox said their input was necessary because the job of professional writer is often a solitary one. She only knew a handful of other authors from the region, and the model they had in mind was for a festival of 20 to 30.
"I felt like such an island all by myself, and I assumed others might feel the same way, which is another reason I wanted to see this happen, so we all got to see each other and meet one another, which can only help us all in the long run," said Fox.
One of the authors joining Fox on the list is Prince George's Neil Godbout, editor of The Citizen.
Also joining them at the one-day fanfare are: Judy Alsager, Sage Birchwater, Samuel Blondahl, Jeff Bloom, Cindy Brandner, Lorne Dufour, Joyce Helweg, Steve Hunter, Stan Krumm, Patricia Joy MacKay, Albert McQuillin, Donna Milner, Margaret Pascuzzo, Diana Phillips, Jay Earl Robertson, Ruth Scoullar, DebiLyn Smith, Susan Smith-Josephy, Jean Speare, Jeanie Vant, Lin Weich, June Wood, The Quesnel Wordspinners, Ed Zaruk, and Margaret-Anne Enders
These writers' styles incorporate the genres of historical nonfiction, mystery, travel, romance, thriller, sci-fi, aviation, children's, inspirational/Christian, photography, fantasy, educational, and many more. The authors will be available to hold conversations about their books, their writing process, their inspirations, their own favourite reading, or whatever readers want to bring up.
The event runs from 1 to 3 p.m.
