2014 marked the 13th anniversary of the Whistler Readers and Writers festival. And what an incredible event it was. Wrapping up this past weekend, the festival hosted thirty-five guest authors and close to 1500 participants to an array of literary offerings including readings and social events for the public and developmental workshops for emerging and experienced writers. We introduced three new reading events, experimented with concepts like Cooks with Books and the opening night, Literary Cabaret. Given your overwhelming support of the new events, we believe you liked these enhancements.

For all those who participated, I know the weekend restored your faith in the power of the written word.

Whistler is a very special community. When the festival was in its infancy so many of you came out to see what we were up to. You liked what you saw, and told your friends. And you kept coming back. Your support helped expand our base. And we have grown ever since. Thank you for sticking with us.

The festival could not get off the ground without the single-minded focus of our small, but mighty organizational team. I’d like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of: Rebecca Wood Barrett, Katherine Fawcett, Sara Leach, Mary MacDonald, Libby McKeever, Sue Oakey, Nicole Fitzgerald, Nancy Routley, Stephen Vogler and Dee Raffo. Thank you. It is an honour and a great pleasure to work alongside you.

I’d also like to thank frontline volunteers who came through for us in so many different ways I can’t begin to list here. Thank you, Pat McKenzie, Karen McLeod, Allison Hunter, Ande Brown, Anne Crowley, Brenda Montani, Clare Gordon, Diane Duggan, Janet Roden, Jaye Einarson, John Alexander, Julia Aleynikova, Mike Duggan, Nicola Bentley, Patricia Dragg, Susie Frank, Suzanne Malone, Brian Belsham and Eve Laird.

I’d like to acknowledge the staff of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler for their hospitality and exceptional service. They were committed to the success of the festival and made it seamless. Thanks also to Millennium Place and the Whistler Public Library. It’s wonderful to host events in such beautiful facilities with staff so committed to excellence.

The Whistler Writers Group is a non-profit group. Our budget is completely allocated to covering the costs of the annual Whistler Readers and Writers Festival, the Writer in Residence Program, and other literary events throughout the year, including the authors in schools program. We could not do what we do without the generous support of a number of sponsors including: The Resort Municipality of Whistler and the province of British Columbia, The Writers Union of Canada, The Canada Council for the Arts, The BC Arts Council, The Whistler Public Library, The Whistler Arts Council, The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, Armchair Books (the best bookstore in the world bar none), Goodwin Studios, Whistler Creative, Access Copyright and Gibbons Life.  Thank you so very much.

I would also like to thank both the Pique and the Question for their wonderful coverage leading up to our festival. Thanks guys. I appreciate the support.

And now we begin planning for next year’s festival. Yikes, did I actually say those words? Mark your calendars, October 16-18, 2015.

Stella Harvey

Founder, Whistler Readers and Writers Festival

 

PS: If you came and saw the festival this year and didn’t get a chance to fill out an evaluation form, tell us what you liked, what we could do better, what sessions and authors you’d like to see on the program of future festivals, please go to our website and find the “Contact Us” area at the bottom of the home page, and send us a note. We love your feedback! It is the basis of all of our planning. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks again.

…………………………………………………………………………………….Bill Richardson in Coversation with Joseph Boyden

Thanks to Mike Crane and Tourism Whistler for the photo.