Writing and reading fiction is a great way to learn empathy. That, at least, is Victoria author Laura Trunkey’s opinion. Trunkey is also the artistic co-director of the Victoria Festival of Authors, which will feature talks from writers of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and even thrillers, says Trunkey. No matter the form, Trunkey says that fiction writing—and reading—is a good way to learn empathy.
“You’re learning about people that you maybe haven’t met, through the fictional world, and going to places that you wouldn’t go yourself. This is a great time to expand your beliefs and your opinions just by being able to engage with literature,” says Trunkey.
Trunkey says that the festival will feature more than just authors reading their works.
“We tried to have readings and panel discussions,” says Trunkey, whose latest book is Double Dutch, a collection of short stories. “Some people really prefer to just hear the authors read their work, and that can introduce them to books that they maybe wouldn’t have picked up otherwise.”
Writing is a solitary activity by nature; Trunkey says she enjoys the sense of community that arises at festivals like this. Along with Vanessa Herman, former event organizer at Russell Books, Trunkey founded the event after the Victoria Writers Festival folded.
“We decided to just revive it and try to bring it back,” says Trunkey.
Trunkey says that support from the community is key for festivals like this, and that the diverse lineup of writers should help to win that support.
“The first year we did it, we weren’t even sure the festival would break even,” she says. “We were really anxious when we were booking authors that we wouldn’t have an audience, but the first year went really well, so we’ve just been trying to slowly grow it ever since then.”
Now in its third year, the festival will consist of live music and dance performances, author readings, and panel discussions where authors talk about their work; Trunkey says that she enjoys the panel discussions the most. There will also be a cocktail night at the Robert Bateman Centre, where three local authors will pick up their instruments and play some tunes.
“They are all musicians who have put out a book within a year,” says Trunkey. “We have dance this year, which is new.”
The dancers are a flamenco group who will perform to poetry written by Victoria poet Garth Martens, says Trunkey.
“One of the benefits of organizing the festival is we get a lot of say in who we’re going to bring,” says Trunkey. “There’s some people that, I love their work, and it’s nice to invite them and have them perform, and then also there’s people who are new emerging writers that have a first book coming out, and it’s great that we can invite them as well.”
Victoria Festival of Authors
Various times, until Monday, October 1
Various prices and venues (some events have student discounts)
victoriafestivalofauthors.ca