Canadian Writers in Person Film & Digital Archive

This project is emblematic of York’s strong connections to the Canadian literary community â€" marking York’s 50th year as well as the 10th year of the Canadian Writers in Person reading series. Canadian Writers in Person takes the form of an interactive digital film drawing on material from a comprehensive archive of taped interviews of Canadian writers who have participated in the Canadian Writers in Person reading series over the last three years. The digital film features excerpts from readings delivered by some of Canada's most renowned writers including Miriam Toews, M.G. Vassanji, Rawi Hage, Joseph Boyden, Larissa Lai and Nicole Brossard. Writer responses to student questions reveal fascinating insights into the creative writing process and the sometimes surprising events that trigger fiction and poetry. These film screenings will be open to the public.

The second stage of the project, a digitized archive contains all of the material collected over the past three years. It is constructed as a searchable database and contains entire readings and Q-&-A sessions. A culmination of the project is the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies' legacy to scholars anywhere. Both the film and the digitally archived materials will be placed in the Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections of Canadian Literature as an ongoing resource to scholars and those interested in Canadian literature and the community of Canadian writers.

Admission/Registration: There is no admission fee although advanced registration is required.

Location: 206 Accolade West Building, York University, Keele campus

For more information contact Nora Priestly at 416-736-2100 ext. 33121 or priestly@yorku.ca.