Over the past twenty years, Trent University’s Writers Reading Series (WRS) has hosted more than 150 writers at readings in Peterborough and Oshawa, among them such literary luminaries as David Adams Richards, Bonnie Burnard, Michael Ondaatje, Julie Johnston and Budge Wilson. Come celebrate the 20th anniversary season with the return to Peterborough of Budge Wilson, the launch of new books by Betsy Struthers and Jonathan Bennet, and the publishing debut of Canada’s most exciting new poet and Trent alumnus, Jeramy Dodds.

Budge Wilson, Featured Anniversary Season Guest
Long-time resident of Peterborough, Budge Wilson read in the first WRS series twenty years ago, and returns as our featured guest, the acclaimed author of 29 books. Her most recent, Before Green Gables is the best-selling prequel to the L.M. Montgomery classic. Her visit is jointly sponsored by Writers Reading and the Rooke Lecture Series.

Poets, Performance Artists, and Plain Old Story-Tellers
Newfoundlander Randall Maggs reads from The Sawchuck Poems, about legendary NHL goalie Terry Sawchuck. We introduce Jeramy Dodds, winner of the CBC Literary Competition and the Bronwen Wallace Prize for poetry, with his first collection of poems, Crabwise to the Hounds. Indigenous Studies professor Dr. Neal McLeod is a multi-media artist – painter, poet, film director, actor, and a writer and performer in the comedy troupe The Fair Skinned Indians. His second book of poems is Gabriel’s Beach. Watch for Jonathan Bennett, reading from his new novel, Entitlement, and Patricia Stone, whose latest short-story collection is All Things Considered. And for those of you disappointed when best-selling novelist Bonnie Burnard was forced to cancel her appearance last year, she makes it up with the closing reading in our anniversary series. Come celebrate the best in Canada’s literary variety, and Peterborough’s exciting contributions to it.

All Readings Free and Open to the Public
All our events are free and open to the public. Every reading features a book table, with copies of the authors’ latest publications available for sale. Venues vary, so watch for our posters around town, at the Peterborough Public Library, and around Trent University.

Full 2008-2009 Schedule
October 6 – Randall Maggs – Lady Eaton College, the Pit
October 9 – Budge Wilson – Traill College, SCR
October 30 – Jonathan Bennett – Champlain College
November 13 – Neal McLeod – Gzowski College, exact location TBA. Neal McLeod will also read at Trent University in Oshawa, date to be announced.
November 20 – Jeramy Dodds – Alumni House, Champlain College
January 22 – Betsy Struthers – Traill College, exact location TBA
February 12 – Patricia Stone – Lady Eaton College, the Pit
March 26 – Bonnie Burnard – Traill College, multi-purpose room

Writers Reading is supported by the Canada Council, The Writers’ Union of Canada, the Nind Fund, the Colleges at Trent, and participating academic departments of the University.

For further information, please visit the website.