In its 31st year, the International Festival of Authors may be an adult now, but it’s still growing and changing. Here’s what’s new at one of the world’s most influential literary events.
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Noir nexus
Eyebrows were raised when IFOA started showing some love for the mystery genre. This year the festival goes all out, making thrillers the focus of the festival and featuring 24 crime fiction specialist, including Giles Blunt, Peter Robinson and Louise Penny.
Doing the Junos justice
The Junos head into their 40th year, and to celebrate, Key Porter has engaged music writers Karen Bliss, Larry LeBlanc, Nick Krewen and Jason Schneider to produce a history of Canada’s music awards, titled Music From Far And Wide. An onstage round table featuring, among others, Jim Cuddy, who wrote the forward for the book, and Dan Hill addresses the meaning and future of the Junos. At this event on Saturday (October 23) at 9 pm, the bar will be open, testimony to IFOA’s newfound embrace of the party vibe.
IFOA Ontario expands
Tell all your friends living in small towns to keep their eyes and ears open. The festival is sending some of its star writers to 14 Ontario towns as far-flung as Sudbury and Windsor.
Still true
You don’t have to attend a reading or interview to get face time with your favourite author. Check the IFOA schedule for the event featuring your admired scribe and head down to 235 Queens Quay West a little over an hour after the event start. You’ll be just in time to line up in the Festival Hub for a signature. And don’t worry – no one will ask you to produce a ticket stub.
And, yes, as usual, students with proper ID attend IFOA events for free, depending on ticket availability.
