The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story is inspired by Alice Munro, one of the greatest storytellers of our time. Born and raised in Wingham, Munro spent most of her life as a Huron County resident. She is the only Canadian to be awarded the Nobel prize for literature, which she won in 2013. The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story strives to nurture emerging local writers, showcase Canadian authors, and celebrate the joy of reading, writing, and telling our stories. This annual festival takes place in locations throughout Huron County and features workshops, author readings, presentations, performances, and a short story contest.

 

The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story is now in its 21st year. In 2023 it will host a 3-day literary festival from June 2 to 4,  offering workshops and onstage presentations as well as the annual short story competition, delivered by the Huron County Library, for emerging writers in both an Adult and Youth Category. Programming for kids will be provided in partnership with the Foundation for Education and the Avon Maitland District School Board.

 

2023 Authors

This year’s lineup includes a selection of author readings, panels and masterclasses by the following authors:

• Alissa York – Internationally-acclaimed author, shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize presents her new work – Far Cry.

• Anuja Varghese - A Pushcart-nominated QWOC writer presenting her collection of short stories - Chrysalis.

• Bianca Marais – Presents her bestselling novel - The Witches of Moonshyne Manor.

• Carley Fortune - New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author and award- winning journalist presents her newest novel - Meet Me at the Lake.

• Corinna Chong – The CBC Short Story Prize winner presents her newest collection of short stories – The Whole Animal.

• Emily Urquhart - a journalist with a doctorate in folklore with award-winning work presents her collection of essays – Ordinary Wonder Tales

• Farah Heron - critically acclaimed writer of romantic comedies presents - Jana Goes Wild

• January Rogers - a Mohawk/Tuscarora poet artist and current Writer-in-Residence at Western University presents readings from her latest poetry collection – Ego of a Nation on opening night.

• Jennifer Robson - an internationally-bestselling author of seven bestselling novels presents Coronation Year.

• Samra Habib - (they/them) is a writer, photographer, and activist. They will present an author talk and reading opening night based on their bestselling memoir We Have Always Been Here. Samra works with LGBTQ organizations internationally, raising awareness of issues that impact queer Muslims around the world.

• S.K. Ali – S. K. Ali is an award winning and New York Times bestselling author who will present their newest novel – Love from Mecca to Medina.

 

2023 Children’s Authors:

• David A. Robertson – David A. Robertson is a recipient of a Governor General's Literary Award. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and will be presenting The Song That Called Them Home - a children’s book that takes place deep in the heart of a grandfather’s ancestral land.

• Kevin Sands - author of the bestselling The Blackthorn Key and Thieves of Shadow series Kevin will present a youth program on Children of the Fox.

• Sarah Raughley – a YA writer with a PhD in English, Sarah’s research concerns representations of race and gender in popular media culture, youth culture, and post-colonialism. Sarah will teach a workshop on powerful immersive writing and her new YA novel – The Song of Wrath.

• Charlene Chua – Illustrator of the Amy Wu series, Charlene will present a reading and drawing activity on the playfully-illustrated picture book - Amy Wu and the Warm Welcome (Written by Kat Zhang).

 

Individuals can purchase day pass tickets for:

• Friday – Opening Night at Blyth Memorial Hall ($25)

• Saturday at Maitland River Community Church in Wingham, which includes a catered lunch and access to the Short Story Contest Awards ($75)

• Sunday at Bayfield Town Hall ($50)

• Masterclasses are available on Saturday and Sunday and can be purchased separately ($30).

Ticket sales close May 28.

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The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story is generously supported by: Huron County Cultural Services, North Huron, The Village Bookshop, the Foundation for Enriching Education Perth Huron, Blyth Festival, Royal Homes, Dr. Marie Gear, The Murphy-Robertson Family in memory of Lynn Marie Murphy, BI-AX International Inc., Joe Kerr Ltd., Howick Mutual Insurance Company and MicroAge Basics.

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For more information, and to purchase tickets visit:

www.alicemunrofestival.ca/2023festival

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