All Rights Reserved

We are excited to share All Rights Reserved’s 2011 literary journal, Rejuvenation.

This is the first year the journal is completely online and the new format allows us to explore new ways of sharing stories.  Our new creative director, Dean Gallant, brings fresh ideas to add to the talents of our wonderful editorial team, and the artwork by 15-year-old Eleanor Beaton brings the journal to life.  With so many fresh new elements, this year’s journal truly is rejuvenating.

This is going to be a fantastic weekend for writers, publishers and all book lovers in Halifax.  On Saturday, Book Camp 2011 is happening at  St. Mary’s University and on Sunday, Word on the Street is happening at the Maritime Museum and Alderney Landing.  It’s almost too much excitement to handle!

Check out some of the workshops at  Book Camp  to learn about using social media, working with publishers, e-publishing and lots more. 

Word on the Street is celebrating literacy and there is something for everyone to enjoy, so find out about the panels, readings and marketplace activities happening on Sunday.

The 2011 Read by the Sea Literacy Festival is happening this weekend.  On July 23^rd you can join some of Nova Scotia’s talented writers in the beautiful seaside town of River John for readings, workshops and lots of literary fun.

This festival is great for all ages.  If you do decide to check it out, be sure to take some time to enjoy the local attractions and take a swim in the warmest water north of the Carolinas!

Full deets can be found at http://www.readbythesea.ca/

Canada has no shortage of amazing writers.  Canuck authors are witty, well researched and thought provoking.  So to celebrate the Dominion’s 144th birthday I’m sharing my top five favourite Canadian books.  While it’s hard to narrow it down to just a handful, these books show the breadth of talent we have in this country.

1. “Lullabies for Little Criminals” by Heather O’Neill

This is an absolute must read.  O’Neill does an amazing job of putting you inside the mind of a twelve-year-old.  Baby is a Montreal girl raised by her heroine-addict father who falls into all the traps set out for a naive kid with no guidance. 

2. “Not Wanted on the Voyage” by Timothy Findley

You really can’t go wrong with any book by Timothy Findley, but I particularly love this story.  Findley always goes in-depth with his research, which is why his characters have so much depth.  You know you have a great author when he can write believably in the voice of a cat.  “Not Wanted on the Voyage” is Findley’s take on the story of Noah’s ark.

 3. “The Birth House” by Ami McKay

I love historical fiction and this piece by Ami McKay is full of Nova Scotia history and culture.  It’s a story about women’s traditions and society’s trouble with accepting our sexuality. 

4. “The Book of Negroes” by Lawrence Hill

“The Book of Negroes” is another rich historical fiction following Aminata’s  journey from Africa to slavery in the southern United States to freedom in Birchtown , Nova Scotia and back to Africa.  The historical and geographical detail give an historical lesson while the character and plot make a story you can’t put down.

5. “No Great Mischief” by Alistair MacLeod

This story is so Nova Scotian it has a blue nose.  It’s about family history and Cape Bretoners making their way in the world.  The tone, the story, the characters, they all make me feel at home.