Hernandez, Dupuy & Berberian in Toronto this fall.
Comics authors at International Festival of Authors
http://www.readings.org
The International Festival of Authors is an annual event at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre that brings authors from around the world out to discuss (and promote) their works. For the past few years the organization has been really good about bringing in graphic novelists with past years featuring appearances by Chris Ware, Charles Burns, Adrian Tomine, Chip Kidd, and many more. This year is no exception, as there are a number of graphic novelists (and authors with comics connections) in attendence. Oh, and following up on a successful run last year, The Beguiling will be at The IFOA selling graphic novels by the participating authors as well as important works of note.
While Jamie Hernandez’s appearance makes for an obvious headline grabber, I’m really excited to meet Dupuy & Berberian as their new graphic novels Get a Life and Maybe Later are phenomenal, and I think a peek into their creative process will be both rare and excellent. The tickets to each of these events is $15, but there are free tickets available to high-school and post-secondary-enrolled ‘students’… Free is good.
Here’s a little guide to where and when you can find the comics creators this year:
Saturday October 21st, 3:00PM
Phillipe Dupuy and Charles Berberian
Interviewed by Seth
Studio Theatre, Harbourfront
Phllipe Dupuy and Charles Berberian, creator of the “Monsieur Jean” series of stories and graphic novels (published in Canada by Drawn & Quarterly), will do a presentation of their new graphic novels Get a Life and Maybe Later. The presentation will be followed by an interview with Canadian graphic novelist Seth. Dupuy and Berberian have collaborated for twenty years, with their most successful comic series, “Monsieur Jean,” selling over 120,000 copies in France.
Saturday October 21st, 5:00PM
Jamie Hernandez Interview
Studio Theatre
Jamie Hernandez’s life’s work is the comic book Love & Rockets, a collaborative ongoing series that has become nearly synonymous with alternative comics. His graphic novel Locas collected more than 10 years of his stories from L&R into an irresistable and acclaimed single graphic novel. Hernandez will be interviewed by film and television director Jerry Ciccoritti about his newest graphic novel, Ghost of Hoppers.
Sunday October 22nd, 1:00PM
Bernice Einstein Reading
Premiere Dance Theatre
Bernice Einstein’s I Was A Child of Holocaust Survivors, told in prose and pictures, is a brilliantly crafted, compelling memoir of her relationship with her parents, who met in Auschwitz. “With her words and pictures working together, Einstein captures the insular world her parents shared with their group of other Holocaust survivors (Globe and Mail).” The reading will feature Einstein as well as Ami McKay, Rosemary Sullivan, and Sarah Waters.
Sunday October 22nd, 5:00PM
Bernice Einstein in Round Table Discussion
Lakeside Terrace
Join Bernice Einstein in a round table discussion of her work with authors Yves Beauchemin, Alon Hilu, Marisha Pessl, and moderator Ken Alexander.
Friday October 27th, 8:00PM
Ralph Steadman Reading
Brigatine Room
Ralph Steadman’s The Joke’s Over, is a memoir of his remarkable friendship and collaboration with Hunter S. Thompson, a relationship which spanned more than thirty years. Steadman is the illustrator of many books, including Thompson’s legendary Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and the fiftieth-anniversary edition of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. He is the author of The Grapes of Ralph, which won a Glenfiddich Food & Drink Award, Still Life with Bottle, The Book of Jones, and Gonzo: The Art. Steadman will be reading alongside Patrick McCabe, Tom McCarthy, and Clifford Chase.
Saturday October 28th, 1:00PM
Ralph Steadman Interview
Premiere Dance Theatre
Legendary illustrator Ralph Steadman is interviewed by Ben McNally, manager of Toronto’s Nicolas Hoare Books.
Saturday October 28th, 4:00PM
Jodi Picoult Reading
Lakeside Terrace
Who’s Jodi Picoult, you ask? Why, in addition to being the author of several bestsellers like The Tenth Circle and Plain Truth, she’s also going to take over the reigns of DC Comics’ Wonder Woman following Alan Heinberg’s departure this fall. Just think, you could be the first fanboy to get her autograph! Picoult will be reading alongside Caroline Adderson, Elizabeth Novle, and Meg Wolitzer.
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For more information including how to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.readings.org.
– Christopher