Margaret Atwood will kick off the 2016 Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story on stage at Blyth Memorial Community Hall on Thursday, June 2.

Ms. Atwood will read a selection from her 2014 short story collection “Stone Mattress: Nine Wicked Tales” beginning at 7:30pm.

Following the reading Ms. Atwood will be joined onstage by fellow Canadian author Merilyn Simonds for an informal conversation about her work, her take on current events, the world, and her many passions.

Ms. Atwood will sign books in the lobby immediately following the onstage program. Books will be available for purchase.

The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story runs June 2 – 5 in Wingham, Ontario.

The festival’s mission is to nurture emerging writers and to celebrate short stories in the landscape that inspired Alice Munro.

Giller prize-winning author Elizabeth Hay is participating at a number of festival events.

On the evening of Sat. June 4 Hay is the keynote speaker at the Jubilee Gala where she’ll take us behind the scenes of her most recent novel “His Whole Life.”

Thought Provoking Sessions

The festival has plenty of thought provoking sessions with leading authors.

Friday, June 3rd the session titled “That’s So Gay” provides insights into the outsiders’ perspective, and the importance of finding and connecting with an accepting and inclusive community.

The session features author readings and conversations between three queer Canadian authors and Gay Straight Alliance Clubs from Secondary Schools in Huron and Perth Counties.

Don’t miss this chance to see Vivek Shraya, Shawn Syms and Mariko Tamaki together on one stage.

Learn From NY Times Celebrated Author Sheila Heti

The festival is offering several masterclasses.

Sheila Heti, author of “How Should a Person Be?” which was a New York Times Notable Book and called by Time magazine “one of the most talked-about books of the year” is one of a few authors offering classes.

Heti’s class, Saturday, June 4th, explores what it means to write from a place of radical independence.

Click here for the complete Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story program.

Details Details
Tickets for the June 2nd Margaret Atwood event in Blyth are just $25.
Call the Blyth Festival Box Office at 519.523.9300 Toll Free 1.877.862.5984 or click here.

The 2016 Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story runs from June 2 to 5 at various venues in Huron County.

As well as Ms Atwood other featured authors are Samuel Archibald, Lynn Coady, Elizabeth Hay, Sheila Heti, Vivek Shraya, Merilyn Simonds, Shawn Syms, Mariko Tamaki, and Robert Thacker. For a complete list of events visit alicemunrofestival.ca