AfterWords Fest returns to Halifax with impressive in-person line-up

The 4th annual literary festival aims to ‘celebrate writers, readers, and the ideas that bring them together’ from September 24 to October 2

CITYnews halifax \ Steve Gow

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Stephanie Domet is thrilled to announce that the AfterWords Literary Festival will be launching its 4^th annual event in-person.

After all, when the festival co-executive director initially started the event with co-founder Ryan Turner in the summer of 2019, they could not have imagined the challenges the next two years would present.

“We kept saying to each other, it will be much easier next year because we will know what we are doing, (but) it was not much easier the next year,” laughs Domet about having to cope with COVID-19 restrictions and adapting the literary festival to take place online during the pandemic.

“We did virtual versions the last two years and it was actually kind of amazing because that allowed us to bring writers to our audience that we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to do.”

That opportunity to extend their reach aside, Domet is certainly relieved to be able to bring people back together in wide celebration of writers, readers, as well as the stories and ideas that unite us all.

With an extensive nine-day program that will embrace both in-person and virtual events, this year’s festival will boast an impressive line-up of special guests when it kicks off September 24.

“None of the writers that we’ve been in touch with have expressed concerns about travelling,” notes Domet about attracting some of the country’s most talented literary stars. “Every single one of them has been really eager to connect in-person with us and with the audience.”

As a result, this year’s AfterWords Literary Festival will feature such acclaimed authors as Booker Prize-nominated scribe Lisa Moore (February), Jody Wilson-Raybould (Indian in the Cabinet), playwright Amanda Parris and Toronto-based journalist, Jesse Wente (Unreconciled: Family, Truth and Indigenous Resistance).

“Earlier this year, both Ryan and I read Unreconciled by Jesse Wente and had our minds blown, so when we started planning the festival, he was one of the first writers we were keen to have,” says Domet, who notes he’ll be joined in conversation with acclaimed Mi’kmaq journalist Trina Roache. “We think it will be a really, really special night.”

Other exciting guests will include Lawrence Hill (The Book of Negroes) who will be presenting his new children’s book as well as leading a workshop for adult writers interested in writing for children and joining Lisa Moore in conversation.

Poet Sue Goyette (Penelope: In First Person), Chelene Knight (Dear Current Occupant: A Memoir), Elaine McCluskey (Rafael Has Pretty Eyes) and “dream get” science fiction author, Kim Stanley Robinson will also be among the this year’s line-up.

“He writes a lot about climate change and considers himself a utopian writer, not a dystopian one — which is really fascinating,” notes Domet about the hybrid in-person/virtual event featuring the experienced American author behind such books as The Ministry for the Future. “We wanted to address the climate somehow so he’s the headliner of that part of our programming.”

This year’s AfterWords Literary Festival will also include a two-day virtual Writers’ Conference that will give budding scribes a variety of programs to help improve upon their craft with workshops and panel discussions featuring literary agents and editors.

“It’s really geared toward people who are writing professionally or want to write professionally and have some experience,” says Domet of the September 24 and 25 conference. “We are (also) presenting the American writer Nicole Chung, who writes for The Atlantic and writes a really fabulous newsletter about writing (so) we’ll be talking to her about the challenges and rewards of writing from real life.”

Notably new this year will be a selection of free programming for youth and young adults in both English and French on October 1 and 2.

“We wanted to make sure that we offered workshops as well because kids are incredible writers and its great for them to have a chance to kind of meet each other and learn from a published author,” says Domet, adding that registration opens on July 4. “All that programming is free and happening at the Central Library.”

Festival passes are available now as well as Friend of the Festival passes that include preferred seating and an AfterWords Literary Festival tote bag while tickets for individual events will become available as of July 4 at 9 a.m.

“(Ryan and I) both witnessed in our own lives the power of a story to change everything — to change the way you are thinking about things, the way you experience the world, the depth of your empathy and compassion,” says Domet, who is an accomplished author in her own right.

“It looks like a festival for writers and readers but really it’s a festival that is hoping to change the world a little bit and make it a better place to live.”

For the full line-up and information, visit the AfterWords Literary Festival website.