Theresa国际传媒檚 a novelist whosa国际传媒檚 written a bestseller about Daniel Boone, a non-fiction writer who voyages to Antarctica, an award-winning playwright whose work is currently being staged in Saskatchewan, and a poet whose name is more or less synonymous with creative writing in the Okanagan.

The lineup of big and local names hosting workshops at the upcoming second annual Spoke Literary Festival, Aug. 11-13, means Okanagan writers donsa国际传媒檛 have to go far to learn from some of the best in Canadian literature.

sa国际传媒淵ou donsa国际传媒檛 have to go to a big centre to get a really high quality writing workshop experience,sa国际传媒� says Spoke Literary Festival organizer Kerry Gilbert, an Okanagan College English professor who helped plan last yearsa国际传媒檚 inaugural event along with colleagues Hannah Calder and Michelle Doege.

The two-day event was such a success, they were able to build on it and draw writers whose workshops would be sought after at a major writing festival.

sa国际传媒淓veryone is a professional writer who has experience in the publishing industry, and so it doesnsa国际传媒檛 matter what level yousa国际传媒檙e at in your writing career, theresa国际传媒檚 something for you to learn and be inspired by,sa国际传媒� says Gilbert, adding workshops cover all literary genres, from poetry and fiction to non-fiction and playwriting, as well as other elements of the writing life.

The festival weekend kicks off with a writing circle led by Vernon poet Michelle Doege at the Caetani Cultural Centre, and Saturday evening features a reading by all workshop writers, which is hosted by poet extraordinaire and UBC Okanagan professor emeritus Sharon Thesen.

sa国际传媒淕rowing a strong writing community is a big focus for this festival,sa国际传媒� says Calder. sa国际传媒淚n addition to the workshops, the evening events are a chance to make those connections and pick writerssa国际传媒� brains. The work of writing can be quite isolating, but attending readings and events like this, thatsa国际传媒檚 part of being a writer.sa国际传媒�

Fortunately for the festival and both emerging and experienced creative writers, the Okanagan has no shortage of talent to learn from and network with. Last yearsa国际传媒檚 festival drew participants from across the valley and beyond, and organizers are hoping even more writers will participate this year.

sa国际传媒淲e really want to put Vernon on the map as a literary community,sa国际传媒� says Gilbert. sa国际传媒淭hatsa国际传媒檚 what we want to foster and create as a long-term goal.sa国际传媒�

Author workshop lineup:

Alix Hawley sa国际传媒� Pulling out the Plums: Using Research in Fiction

Jay Ruzesky sa国际传媒� True Stories, Well Told

Corinna Chong sa国际传媒� Making a Scene: Structure and Transitions in Short Stories

Heidi Garnett sa国际传媒� Writing as Dream Work

Mike Poirier sa国际传媒� The Structure of Writing a Play

Melanie Murray sa国际传媒� Unlocking the Vault of Memory

Laisha Rosnau sa国际传媒� Narrative Therapy

John Lent sa国际传媒� Phrasing in Contemporary Poetry

The Spoke Literary Festival runs Aug. 11-13 at various locations in Vernon. A weekend pass, which includes four writing workshops and two literary/social gatherings, is $175 and can be purchased by following a link from the Spoke Festival website at . A student scholarship is available and all workshops and events are wheelchair accessible. Festival registration closes July 31 or when spaces have been filled.