Fictioneering: Reality Bites

Fictioneering: Reality Bites

With Neil Smith & Georgia Toews. Hosted by Zsuzsi Gartner

When life bites, some writers bite back big time. With disarming frankness, grit, and sly, dark humour, Neil Smith (Jones) and Georgia Toews (Hey, Good Luck Out There) mine personal experience to produce novels neon-lit with authenticity. Toews’ debut “dismisses easy platitudes in favour of the complex ambiguity of lived experience” (Robert Wiersema, Toronto Star). If Jones were a poker game, Smith sees your dysfunctional family and raises you triple all-in. Fellow Montrealer Heather O’Neill says, “Jones conjures the magical elixir of childhood emotions dwelling in the heart of survivors.” Addiction, sexual identity, familial demons – by what alchemy is the muck of life transposed into art, sow’s ears into silk purses? Come hear these two consummately readable fictionists talk about how the magic happens. 

This 60-minute conversation will be hosted the queen of craft, Zsuzsi Gartner. Come with questions about the writing process! And get your books signed!

This event is part of Wordfest’s Imaginairium festival, Sept. 29 – Oct. 6, 2022. Connect with 60+ of the world’s most generous writers, thinkers, activators and inspirers, gathered just for you in Calgary, Canada. For more info: wordfest.com