Authors at Harbourfront Centre Celebrates Poets
Calls for Submissions From Young Canadian Poets
© Y F Chin
Feb 25, 2009
Authors at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto is calling for poetry submissions for an "Open Stage Night" in March. The event will showcase 20 young poets (35 years of age or younger) in one night of readings. The Director of the Authors at Harbourfront Centre, Geoffrey Taylor says the event celebrates the wealth of local literary talent.
"Essentially, we wanted to present an event that pays homage to where our (Reading) series began which was with poetry readings in 1974, and celebrates the future of the series, after 35 years of programming world-renowned reading events. In doing so, we are also fulfilling our mandate to provide Canadian authors with an internationally recognized forum in which to present their work."
Invitation to IFOA
Poets will be invited to read for a maximum of five minutes. At least one poet will be awarded an invitation to read at the annual International Festival of Authors set for October 21 - 31st. Taylor is one of the jurors deciding who will get a coveted invite to the IFOA.
"The judges are basically looking for someone who gives a good reading on the night. Authors at Harbourfront Centre's programming is about great writers and great writing, but it's also about entertainment. We're looking for someone who is the best interpreter of their own work."
Young Poets Only
There will be a random draw of all eligible submissions. Poets born in 1974 or later and have a complete work currently in print with a publisher are eligible. Submissions should be made by an author's representative to Harbourfront Centre.
Literary Buzz
Taylor says he anticipates a great response from the literary community.
"There has been discussion of the event on the Globe and Mail Books blog, Quill & Quire online, as well as various blogs by Canadian poets themselves. In addition, by increasing the number of slots available for poets to read and making it a headline event, we're facilitating the promotion of many more poetry books than we would ordinarily be able to accommodate in our regular schedule."
However, Taylor isn't sure whether this will be an annual event.
"Open Stage Night is a celebration of our (Reading Series) 35th anniversary, so at this point there are no plans on making this (an) annual event. However, it does not preclude another incarnation of this event from taking place in the future."
"Open Stage Night" takes place Wednesday, March 25th at Harboufront Centre. The weekly reading series at Authors at Harbourfront Centre continue through mid-June.
