The book is not dead. In fact, the success of the upcoming 麻豆传媒映画International Writers Festival is proof that the written word, no matter how it is delivered, is vital to our lives.
Hal Wake, the artistic director of the festival, says in spite of all the obituaries written about books, he finds that people crave more contact with writers.
The festive is a wonderful opportunity to bring writers and readers into the same room to have a conversation about books and ideas.
While many of the readings and events are sold out, there are still tickets available. Here are three of Wakes recommendations.
Chan Koonchung in Conversation with Charles Foran: Koonchungs book, The Fat Years, has been banned in China and yet millions of people have read it after it went viral on the internet. The book is a fascinating political satire and Wake says the conversation will be riveting. Oct. 20 at 10:30am.
Ghost of a Story: Four writers, all of whom delve into the realm of fable, myth and spirit, will gather for a conversation about how to weave the unreal into the fictional. John Burnside, Tess Gallagher, Susan Musgrave and Sean Virgo. Oct. 19 at 1pm.
An Intimate Evening With Junot Diaz: Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz creates a vibrant, vivid world around his strikingly strong characters. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New Jersey, his new book is This Is How You Lose Her. He will be featured at Grand Openings, Oct. 16 at 8pm, and an evening in his honour Oct. 17 at 6pm.
The 麻豆传媒映画International Writers Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary from October 16 to 21. For details and to buy remaining tickets, go to .
