St. Albert Readers Festival (STARFest), the city’s largest literary festival, is introducing six authors from Oct. 17 to 28.
The 2024 theme is Stories for Everyone, a major point in STARFest director Julie Ruel’s decision making.
“I have put together a series of books where everyone will find something they love. If you’ve never attended this event before, this is a wonderful chance to hear some amazing authors talk and ask questions you may have,” said Ruel.
Several highlights are nationally recognized authors Giller Prize winner Elizabeth Hay, three-time Governor General Award recipient Guy Vanderhaeghe, Scotiabank Giller Prize finalist Kevin Chong and Northern Lit and Trillium Award finalist Claudia Dey. Ruel has also included two lesser-known authors — Giller Prize long-listed Conor Kerr and up-and-coming author Rose Sutherland.
In the fall of 2023, STARFest hosted nine authors, a slight increase from this year.
“We have changed our programming schedule. We will have six events in October and then have monthly author events that run from January to May. We will be offering the same number of yearly events, but the schedule has changed. I’ve heard a lot of feedback that it is difficult to go to so many events in one month. So I hope by spreading them out, we get more people out,” Ruel said.
Kevin Chong kicks off the festival on Oct. 17 with his book, The Double Life of Benson Yu. The graphic novel takes place in a Chinatown housing project where 12-year-old Benny lives with his sick grandmother and a strange neighbour, Constantine, who believes he’s a reincarnated samurai. When his grandmother is hospitalized, he is taken in by Constantine. Even as a bond develops between the two, a darker backstory emerges.
“This is Kevin’s first time at the festival and he was one of the first authors I reached out to. The Double Life of Benson Yu is such a nuanced work. The book is a coming-of-age story but the metafiction elements in the book really help make it such a complex look at trauma and shame,” said Rue.
Guy Vanderhaeghe follows on Oct. 18 with Because Somebody Asked Me To.
“Guy has had an amazing career as a writer and his new book of non-fiction explores growing up on the prairies, the craft of fiction and Vanderhaeghe’s struggle to find his voice. This event will look at Vanderhaeghe’s career since he has so many amazing books to pull from. He is such a powerhouse in the Canadian literary scene, and he has been on the radar for years, but the timing never worked out previously.”
Elizabeth Hay, in her second appearance at STARFest, drops by Oct. 20 to discuss Snow Road Station.
“Snow Road Station is a wonderful character-driven look at a friendship between Lulu and Nan, who are in their 60s and contemplating what to make of the rest of their lives. It is beautiful and very witty and wise.”
Rose Sutherland pops by on Oct. 24 with her debut novel, A Sweet Sting of Salt.
“It tells the tale of a young midwife in 19th century Nova Scotia who uncovers a magical secret about her neighbour. This is a stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale, The Selkie Wife. The Selkie legend is that some seals could take off their skins and be human. One man fell in love with one of the Selkies and stole her skin so that she would marry him. She searches for years and finally finds her skin, leaves her husband and returns to the sea.”
Claudia Dey chats with the audience on Oct. 26 about her novel, Daughter.
“She is a real Renaissance woman — a writer, playwright, actor and she owns a clothing company. Her book, Daughter, is a searing examination of obsession and family. However, it also has this great dry sense of humour throughout and the writing style is amazing.”
Conner Kerr, a Métis/Ukrainian writer living in Edmonton, closes the festival on Oct. 28 with his novel, Prairie Edge. Descended from the Lac Ste. Anne Métis and Papaschase Cree Nation, he grew up in a series of prairie towns and cities including Saskatoon and Edmonton.
“Prairie Edge focuses on two Métis cousins, Ezzy and Grey, who decide to release a heard of buffalo in downtown Edmonton disrupting the churn of settler routine. But as Grey becomes increasingly single-minded in her newfound calling, their act of protest puts the pair and those close to them in peril with devastating and sometimes fatal consequences.
For more information visit www.starfest.ca/festival/starfest-2024.
