A celebration of writing

Every day, we pass by dozens of books in bookstore windows and see a myriad of magazines on racks and in waiting rooms. However, the week of April 21 to 28 is set aside as a unique celebration of writing and publishing in the province.
Now in its seventh year, this year’s program is bigger than ever, say organizers, with special events special taking place in Vancouver, White Rock, Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver and Vernon. Prince George is also on the list of participating communities with its own celebration, The Magazine Cabaret, held at Books and Company, April 25 at 7-9 p.m. The special event hosted by CBC reporter Betsy Trumpener features local writers Ken Belford, Robert Budde, Barry McKinnon and Gillian Wigmore. Books and Company owner, Jim Brinkman, says there will be poetry readings leading into the Magazine Cabaret event.
During the week there are dozens of ways for the public to rub shoulders with local writers and publishers: readings, workshops, parties and performances. The week’s emphasis is on interaction and spontaneity, this is a week for writers and readers alike.
“Whether you’re a poetry love, a cookbook fanatic, an aspiring writer looking for tips and contacts, or an avid fan curious to see what’s fresh and current, BC Book and Magazine Week has something for you, says Ana Torres, executive director of the B.C. Association of Magazine Publishers (BCAMP) one of two organizations behind the week.
“The week has more to offer than ever before. The challenge for people this year might be fitting in as many events as possible,” she said.
BC Book and Magazine Week is non-profit and supported by the association of book publishers (ABPBC) and BMAMP in cooperation with book and magazine publishers, authors, editors, booksellers, librarians and many others. B.C. book publishers release more than 1,200 titles each year, 80 per cent are written by B.C. authors. There are more than 300 magazines in the province which are estimated to reach as much as 85 per cent of all British Columbians. B.C. residents lead the country in library usage, leisure time spent reading and support for books and magazines.
“You couldn’t pick a better province to have a festival honouring the love of reading and writing,” notes executive director of ABPBC Margaret Reynolds.