I'm back from my sojourn to the Frye Festival in Moncton and I had an absolutely amazing time! The streets were plastered in Frye Fest advertising. The event was huge, well organized and well attended, up over 25% from last year I over heard. This was the 9th year for the event and unfortunately the first I've attended. Had I known about it I would have gone last year to see Harvey Pekar speak.
There were plaques all over Moncton with qoutes from Northrop Frye. I read a recent poll on literacy in P.E.I. and evidently 42.8% of the working age people on P.E.I. (16-65) are not literate enough to read a box of asprin. I had a hard time believing that until one day I spent a few hours in the Tim Hortons downtown Summerside trying to do a little work. Now I believe it.
As a guest author of the Frye Fest I was put up in a swanky hotel (the Delta Beausejour) in the heart of downtown Moncton.
The view from room 333.
The Festival got an early kick off on Tuesday with the monthly Pop et Frye talk featuring yours truly. Talk about trial by fire! My talk lasted about an hour and was the first of many. By the end of the Festival I had spoken at 6 schools over 3 days (10 sessions), acted as MC at Cafe Underground with author Katia Canciani and ran a storyboard workshop with Rob Anderson from Fatkat. My voice was so raw I sounded like Leonard Cohen choking on Tom Waits. I had my speech crafted, refined and nailed down by the end of the week.
So serious.... I won a free coffee 3 out of 4 days by getting the Timothy's trivia right. Yay, not Tim Hortons.
It's nice to see the wild life has adapted to city living. This timid creature has taken on armor plating to protect itself. It scampered off moments after I snapped this picture.
My picture taking ceased pretty quickly into the event as I found myself too busy to even think of reaching for my camera.
Highlights:
- Getting to know some of the other authors at the Festival, like Katia Canciani and Christopher Lirette.
- Hearing readings from Russell Banks, Heather O'Neill and Darryl Whetter.
- "Midnight Howl" poetry readings at Mexi's.
- Chatting with Russell Banks about "Rule of the Bone", graphic novels, publishing rights and drinking Mojito's.
- Meeting lots of amazing people; musicians, Festival organizers and many interesting locals.
- Carol showing up for the Frye Jam on Saturday night.
I was like the bee girl in Blind Melon's video for "No Rain" all week; I had found my people. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by people who love to read and are into all things creative. I'm looking forward to next years event so I can take in some of the lectures and readings I missed while I was in the schools. Too much fun!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Frye Festival notes
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Fyre Festival Schedule
The Frye Festival is starting in Moncton this week and I have a slew of events going on:
April 22, Timothy's Cafe, 7pm
Pop et Frye
Press release:
Troy Little, author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed graphic novel Chiaroscuro will be speaking about the evolutionary process in creating his book. From it's simple beginnings in his sketch book, through numerous creative mutations and finally into the world of both small and big press publishing, Troy will talk about what it takes to be an independent graphic novel creator. Troy will give his talk at 7pm at Timothy's on Main Street.
School Visits:
April 23, JMA Armstrong High School, 8:30am - 11:15am
April 23, Bernice MacNaughton High, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Mentor workshop; grades 9 - 12:
April 23, Cafe Underground (Aberdeen Cultural Centre), 7pm
School Visits:
April 24, Caledonia Regional High School, 10:45am - 11:45am
April 24, Moncton High, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
School Visits:
April 25, Riverview High School, 11:00am - 12:15pm
April 25, Harrison Trimble High School, 1:00pm - 3:20pm
Book Signing:
April 26, The Comic Hunter, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Storyboarding workshop:
April 26, Mad City Comics, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Comic Jam:
April 26, TBD
Whew! And from what I'm told there's other events I may be taking part in but won't have that information available until I arrive. Hopefully I'll find access to a computer and be able to update my Blog with any new information.
I'm really looking forward to this event and hope to take in some of the other events going on through out the week. See you there!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
It's Go Time!
Long have you waited, now all your dreams are coming true...
Bookmark the official Angora Napkin Production Blog for all the news, updates and behind the scenes chatter from your pals Trick and Noy!
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Angora Napkin: Graphic Novel Update
As of right now I am half done adding the spot colour to the book. I started on January 17th, so that's clocking me in at about 1 and 1/4 pages a day. At this rate I should be finished around mid to late April.
By the end of this month it will have been 2 years since I started this project.
I have yet to collect and scan all the additional artwork, miscellaneous comics and draw the cover so it looks like I've still got a bit of work to do before I throw a wrap party for myself.
*sigh*
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Button fun!
Cute As A...
My button will be one of 50 picked for the big button trade at the Confed Centre tomorrow night. Click the link to find out more about the event, and if you're in the 'hood why not stop by!
UPDATE: The Walrus blog has a write up on the event and it's history. There's a small blurb near the end from yours truly about my contribution.
