January 20,2007

Pacific Festival of the Book
March 23-25, 2007
Victoria Arts Connection
#110- 2750 Quadra Street Victoria, BC V8T 4E8
T. 250-477-9089
www.victoriaartsconnectionsociety.org

For Immediate Release

Author Robert Wiersema to participate in Pacific Festival of the Book

Victoria Arts Connection is pleased to announce that local Victoria author Robert Wiersema will participate in the first Pacific Festival of the Book to be held March 24, 2007. Wiersema's first book "Before I Wake" published by Random House has been sold in the US, UK, Greece and Poland. In a Canadian fiction debut with the emotional weight of The Lovely Bones,"Before I Wake" , reveals how hope can be renewed even in the face of unimaginable sorrow. Part domestic novel, part thriller — contemporary realism touched with the fantastic — this novel is an exploration of the limits of human strength, of the power of forgiveness, and of the true nature, and cost, of miracles. Robert J Wiersema is a bookseller and reviewer, who contributes regularly to the Vancouver Sun, Quill & Quire, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Ottawa Citizen and other newspapers. Currently the president of the British Columbia Booksellers Association, Wiersema is the event co-ordinator for Bolen Books. He’s a graduate of UVic and lives in Victoria with his family.

Wiersema will be part of the author's workshop series and will read from his work and discuss his creative process as an author. The Pacific Festival of the Book major events take place on Saturday March 24, 2007 and feature a series of integrated interdisciplinary workshops revolving around the literary arts as well as an extensive book sellers and publishers trade show. Part book fair, part literary arts festival this event will involve all levels of the publishing, writing and the book and art loving community to come out and enjoy an innovative series of literary events, performances and an exceptional trade show of BC and Canadian book sellers and publishers. Special events throughout the day will include roving performers from different literary periods inside and outside, author talks and book signings, book making demos, publishers and self-publishing workshops, children’s storytelling as well as an art exhibition celebrating The Art of the Book. Two very exciting workshops being proposed for the program include collaborative workshops between writers, dancers and film makers. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Project Literacy Victoria. The Victoria Arts Connection is honored to have Victoria’s own Poet Laureate Carla Funk open the festival and participate in the Readers Program as a special guest Poet.