Blog Coverage of The Social Life of Ink

By Barb, Wordfest 2014 Digital Reporter
Originally published October 16, 2014, on ritewhileucan.com

Over 850 authors have presented since 1995

I’m acting as a digital reporter for Wordfest 2014 here in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Wordfest is a non-for-profit gem of an organization that brings together writers and readers alike to share in the powerful experience of a story.

It is a nineteen year rich literary tradition in Calgary with authors such as Margaret Atwood, Douglas Coupland, and John Irving having participated in the past.

The festival started this year on October 14 and wraps up on October 19th. It does however have a couple of additional events on October 21st and November 9, 2014.

Digital and analog come together to celebrate books

So, what does a digital reporter do, you may ask? I get that a lot. Smile.

I attend a number of events and I live tweet (for you non twitter friends that just means sending updates out on twitter as the event is happening) anything that I think might be of interest to readers or that happens to grab my fancy. Plus I can share about the event on any of my other social media platforms as well. It’s definitely one of my favorite volunteer gigs to date.

The first event I attended featured author Ted Bishop and his new book “The Social Life of Ink.” Mr. Bishop showed up wearing a white shirt with a huge, I mean huge, ink stain on the pocket and all down the left side of his shirt. In addition he passed around vintage pens. It was a fascinating evening.

The voice behind the words

Tonight I’m going to be attending (for all you young adults readers keep the shrieking to a minimum) an event where Veronica Roth of the Divergent fame will be chatting with fellow author Tahereh Mafi. Can’t wait.

There is something about hearing an author read from their own book that I can’t quite describe. Maybe it is the fact that there is no missing the meaning of that favorite passage as you hear the intonation, see the expression, the gestures and even discover what that voice sounds like. Indeed, the voice behind the words makes it all suddenly come alive.

Have you ever attended a book festival? Perhaps you have heard a favorite author read from their book?

Barb of ritewhileucan.com is a Calgary-based blogger and "self confessed paper junkie, a stationery hoarder and an advocate for the lost art of letter writing."