Inaugural Carol Shields Symposium on Writing: Festival of Voices

An Invitation for you- Come and join the University of Winnipeg, Random House Canada and the Dropped Threads contributors in honouring a most beloved Canadian writer, Carol Shields, and in celebrating women-s ongoing creativity. We welcome all interested individuals and groups, and we offer other organizations the opportunity to be involved through sponsoring some aspects of the event. The Symposium will have a three-part focus: * Activities aimed specifically at Celebrating Carol, her works and her legacy; * An Ideas and Issues component featuring writers, academics, publishers and readers participating in panel presentations, roundtable discussions, performances and workshops on topics related to Carol-s works and to the current manifestations of that impulse she was known for?to extend and cross boundaries in creative writing. As well there will be a focus on the intersection of feminism and women-s writing?where and in what forms do the principles and energies of the woman-s movement now appear in writing by women? * A Community and Connections component with involvement from established and emerging communities of writers, reading groups and students. This year the featured writing group will be the contributors to the three Dropped Threads anthologies. Some of the specific events being planned include- * A Friday Night Gala event sponsored by Random House Canada celebrating Carol and featuring some of Canada-s well-known writers; * A special day (Friday) and evening (Saturday) featuring the Dropped Threads community of writers, including opportunities for one-on-one conversations with these established writers; * A staging of excerpts from some of Carol-s plays by U of W theatre group; * A ceremony at the Carol Shields Labyrinth situated here in Winnipeg; * A panel presentation with reps from publishing, editing & book marketing; * A showcasing of art forms that celebrate women, writing and creative renewal.