BookShorts NEWS: BPAC Future of Publishing at IFOA

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The Book Promoters Association of Canada serves to keep that contingent of the publishing industry appraised of the latest issues and developments. BPAC hosted their annual Future of Publishing luncheon during the International Festival of Authors, at which panelists included The Toronto Stars Phil Marchand, Penguin Group (Canada)s Nicole Winstanley, Ben McNally of Nicholas Hoare, IFOAs Geoffrey Taylor, Nathalie Atkinson and Quill & Quires Derek Weiler as moderator.
Suggestions such as do book launches where something happens and when you send a press release to a reporter, give them an angle were delivered from the panel. After which topics such as government regulation, the viability of e-books, and where and how public funding should be spent were put forward.
Admittedly arriving mid-session, having just one mic to pass around slowed things down considerably, though provided an amusingly ironic sub-text to panelists responses, or rather pass on some of the questions put forward. Was not able to survey the participants post-event but I put this out there . you know how you eat Chinese and youre still hungry an hour later?

Formats available: MPEG1 Video (.mpg)

Tags: international festival of authors, ifoa, bpac, pubishing, book promoters association of canada

A Visual Treat - Dupuy & Berberian at IFOA

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Wonder if there is a correlation between artists who make great looking images and great looking artists who make striking art.

 

The audience at IFOA's session with Charles Berberian and Philippe Dupuy, hosted by Seth, were well-served by the hosts easy but probing manner.

 

Bet there are a bunch of converts to the Gaelic path in graphic novels -- une verre du vin aussi, peut etre?

 

Formats available: Quicktime (.mov), Flash Video (.flv)

Tags: philippe dupuy, charles berberian, ifoa, international festival of authors, seth

BookShorts VIDEO: PEN Canada Benefit at IFOA

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PEN Canada is an association of writers and supporters formed to defend freedom of expression and raise awareness of that right. It is one of 144 centres of International PEN in 102 countries, and uses the power of the word to assist writers around the world persecuted or exiled for the expression of their thoughts.

The benefit for PEN at this year's IFOA was an upbeat affair despite the cause, perhaps in part due to the natural enthusiasm that occurs when authors are able to read material unencumbered, and to an audience solid in their convictions against censorship.

Wole Soyinka is a mezmerizing reader (an immedaite affinity likely attributed to his tale of a motorcycle ride through his native land); Miriam Toews reveled in her delivery of expletives; Azar Nafisi conquered her reiticence for self-performance; M.G. Vassanji auditioned new writings; as did Wayson Choy - likely not a victim of his two previous near-death experiences.  Ann-Marie MacDonald kept things moving after a poignant introduction from Connie Rooke and John Ralston Saul's presentation of the PEN Canada / Paul Kidd Courage Award to journalist Kim Bolan.

The video here captures some of the spirit of the Benefit; for a great read and your own support for their initiatives, grab a copy of the M&S published "Writing Life" edited by Rooke. 

 

Tags: wayson choy, miriam toews, ifoa, john ralston saul, ann-marie macdonald, m.g. vassanji, wole soyinka, kim bolan, constance rooke, pen canada, international festival of authors, writing life

BookShorts VIDEO: McClelland & Stewart Celebration @ IFOA

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This a gentle ribbing via video ....

but really folks... it *was* a lovely event at the opening night of International Festival of Authors, with many acclaimed and appreciative artists of the realm. This is a cheeky little post while I cut together the real thing (sorry Doug, just couldn't resist, and it'll only be up for a day :)

BookShorts VIDEO: The Fighter Book & Movie Launch

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Hey, we should do this more often!  A much hyped event, and for good reason. In attendance -- the ususal suspects from literary circles, AND a great many regular folk, namely boxing fans, that may or may not pick up a book on a regular basis. BookShorts Director Mark Hesselink was on hand to watch another performance, harkening to the movie The Fighter, based on Craig's book, which will launch online and on the circuit with Craig and his book.

WATCH THE UPCOMING EPISODE OF BOOKSHORTS "MOVING STORIES" featuring Mark's film, premiering on CLT November 26, and BookTelevision November 30, 2006.

A huge CONGRATS to the Penguin posse, and particularly to Craig, Stephen and David that have proven their dedication to the job. Overall, very rewarding indeed, for Craig and for those of us who support the outreach to new readers no matter how we get them!

Thanks Myers, I guess there *is* such a thing as "danger pay" in publishing!

 

Tags: mark hesselink, bookshorts, the fighter, moving stories, penguin group canada, craig davidson

BookShorts at Scotiabank Giller Short-List Announcement

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There's nothing like subjective opinions about art to get the opinions flying! With the energy around the first presser for this year's Scotiabank Giller Prize, there is bound to be lots of "interesting" dialogue. We spoke to J. Marc Cote Publisher of Cormorant Books; Frans & Ian Donker of Book City, Geoff Taylor of IFOA and of course the ever-charming and dedicated man himself, Jack Rabinovitch leads the charge from the podium. Check out the video!

Tags: ga?tan soucy, scotiabank giller prize, pascale quiviger, vincent lam, rawi hage, giller prize