Recent News

WordsFest: A cultural explosion

Richard Joseph, Western Gazette November 11, 2015

words posterWordsFest, now on its second year, began with a group of individuals around the city who realized that London had potential as a hub of culture. One of these individuals was Josh Lambier, Director of Public Humanities at Western and the artistic director for this year’s WordsFest. Read more


Tomson Highway to success

Moses Monterroza,Western Gazette November 11, 2015

highwayHe speaks seven languages and has written novels, plays and cabarets in French, Cree and English. He has received 10 honorary degrees from Canadian universities and has bolstered a generation of professional Aboriginal playwrights and actors.

His name is Tomson Highway and unsurprisingly he’s a Western alumnus. He grew up in a family of 12 siblings on a patch of land bordering Manitoba. Read more


Journalism fuels Linden MacIntyre’s fiction writing

Iain Boekhoff, Western Gazette November 11, 2015

opening eventFiction and investigative journalism aren’t necessarily a good mix, but for Linden MacIntyre, that mix has worked out just perfectly.

MacIntyre, one of Canada’s most recognizable investigative journalists, has authored four fiction novels, winning the 2009 Giller Prize for The Bishop’s Man, adding another award to his already long list for the groundbreaking journalism he has done in a career spanning 50 years. He’s best known for hosting the CBC’s Fifth Estate for 24 years before retiring last year so younger reporters would keep their jobs in the wake of staff layoffs. Read more


Miriam Toews: Q&A

Richard Joseph, Western Gazette November 11, 2015

miriam toewsThe Gazette recently had the chance to sit down with Miriam Toews, an award-winning Canadian novelist, after her appearance at the Words festival in London on Saturday. The event, called “An Afternoon with Miriam Toews,” featured a reading and speech by Toews. Read more


Open mic poetry night with Lucas Crawford

Samah Ali, Western Gazette November 11, 2015

crawfordAfter a successful weekend of the second annual WordsFest, a new addition was made to the roster of events: open mic poetry night in Marienbad Restaurant’s fireplace room.

Often known as a stand-alone event happening the first Wednesday of every month, open mic poetry night joined WordsFest this year and featured renowned Canadian poet Lucas Crawford. The event was held on the top level of the Carling Street eatery and welcomed novice and veteran poets alike to take the stage and share their stories. Read more


The Diary of a Teenaged Girl is supurb

Read more


Linden MacIntyre hard-wired for books

James ReaneyLondon Free Press, November 4, 2015

macintyreTechnology — computers, ebooks, social media — may be moving at lightning speed but there’s still nothing like the feel of a good book.

The world of books is alive and well and under no threat of disappearing anytime soon, says one of Canada’s most celebrated writers just as London’s literary and creative arts community prepares for this weekend’s second annual Words festival. Read more


Star’s Words: Julie Berry Q&A

James ReaneyLondon Free Press, October 31, 2015

julie berryInterview with poet Julie Berry. Read more


The Graphic Art of Growing Up

Jill Clair, London Fuse

diaryJill Clair had a chance to speak with Phoebe Gloeckner, author of 'The Diary of a Teenage Girl'. Read more


Organizers, sponsors pleased with record crowd

James ReaneyLondon Free Press, October 31, 2015

words posterThe second-annual London Words festival featuring some of Canada’s best-known literary stars, drew more than a thousand people.

The festival, held mostly at Museum London but with an open mic poetry night at Marienbad Restaurant, “celebrates creative ideas, artistic expression, and cultural diversity” and featured authors Linden MacIntyre, Miriam Toews, Terry Fallis, Emil Sher, Allan Stratton and Tomson Highway, among others. Read more


Words of luv, Words of praise

James ReaneyLondon Free Press, November 9, 2015

words posterJBNBlog salutes the participants, fans, organizers, sponsors & everyone involved at the 2015 edition of Words fest . . . wow! Read more


Star’s Words: Tanis Rideout Q&A

James ReaneyLondon Free Press, October 31, 2015

rideoutJames Reaney interviews current Western Writer-in-Residence Tanis Rideout. Read more


CanLit stars to shine at Words fest

By James ReaneyLondon Free Press, October 31, 2015

Words, a London literary and creative arts festival, returns next month for its second year of activities at Museum London on November 6-8, 2015. Read more


Q&A with Tom Cull

By James ReaneyLondon Free Press, October 30, 2015

James Reaney interviews Tom Cull, Writing Studies, on this year's WordsFest. Read more


Lambier: Words turns the page on misconceptions of region

By Joshua LambierSpecial to Western News, October 21, 2015

Words, a London literary and creative arts festival, returns next month for its second year of activities at Museum London. The festival offers a unique opportunity to focus our attention on the creative hubs of London, while experiencing the works of some of our most original and dynamic authors. Read the full article