This weekend, New Westminster will be the place to be for aspiring writers, poets and anyone else with a love of the written and spoken word.
The third-annual LitFest New West runs April 11 to 13 at Douglas College and the New Westminster Public Library.
The schedule includes a full list of workshops, presentations and other events for active or aspiring writers of all ages throughout the three-day event.
"It's a range of topics and we're trying to appeal to a large audience, and we're very excited about it," said organizer Leanne Ewen, with the New West Arts Council.
Some of the local writers on the bill, who will be giving presentations and heading workshops, include Bob Robertson, J.J. Lee, poet laureate Candice James, and resident poet/writer for this year's festival, Renée Sarojini Saklikar, who will perform some of her work in tandem with local music composer John Oliver, and be available to speak with attendees who want to learn more about the life of a working writer in New Westminster.
"I think as writers, we have to kind of be aware of how to get better in our craft, so I'm hoping people will feel free to come up and talk to me and I'll really try and make myself available," she said.
Saklikar is a graduate of the SFU Writers' Studio program, and last year she was the inaugural poetry mentor for teachers and students at the new South Bank creative writing program through SFU Surrey.
Her work appears in many literary journals, papers and anthologies, and she performs her work in various venues around the Lower Mainland. Saklikar also recently signed a contract for the publication of her first book of poetry.
Saklikar said she is looking forward to connecting with others in the local writing community and to the various workshops she feels are most relevant for writers in today's market.
"One of the things I really like about the festival this year is that the workshops are pretty cutting edge," she said. "They've got one on e-books, they've got one on blogging, they even have a political writing workshop with some great writers. I hope to attend How To Survive In The Brave New Digital World."
Other items on the schedule include panels on how to self-publish, how to write mysteries and how to write memoirs.
Wrapping up the event, there will be a showcase presentation on Saturday, April 13 with a mix of spoken word, readings, music and theatre at Douglas College.
All events are free and open to the public. The New Westminster Public Library is located at 716 Sixth Ave. and Douglas College is located at 700 Royal Ave.
For more information about LitFest New West, and the full schedule, visit www.artscouncilnewwest.org.
