Lewis Chaitov
Contributor
Thanks to Professors Leslie Sanders and Gail Vanstone, “Canadian Writers in Person”is still going strong after 17 years. What began in 1999, Vanstone has been teaching the course for twelve years, and Sanders teaching alongside her colleague for eight years.
If you enjoy reading for pleasure, this course is for you. It explores 12 contemporary Canadian writers who give readings in class and respond to questions about their work. The authors who have attended so far, have helped the class understand the many issues that they face.
The class welcomed Gregory Scofield on January 26, who read from his book of poetry, Louis: The Heretic Poems. Scofield is more than a poet. He is a playwright, a professor of creative writing at Laurentian University, and a social worker. A Métis from British Columbia, he discussed what it takes to appreciate poetry, and explained how he wanted people to recognize Louis Riel not only as a Canadian political figure, but as a person.
Many other notable writers have visited the class. Novelist, Sean Michaels, winner of the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2014, presented his book, Us Conductors, back in November. He even treated the class to a theremin performance. In October, Kim Thuy presented her novel Mãn, which describes her life as a boat person from Vietnam.
The course’s promotional poster, which hangs around campus and in Toronto Public Library locations, was created by Erik Morin, an award-winning graphic designer from Vancouver. The poster displays a mouflon, with pencils replacing its antlers. “I love that he uses a pencil in every poster. It’s symbolic of the creative human imagination and a reminder of the physical work it entails,” Vanstone says.
“We have support from the Canadian Council and from donors, and significant support from the faculty and the department,” says Sanders.
All readings, which are held Tuesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. in room 206 of Accolade West, are free and open to the public. The class will be welcoming Sue Goyette on March 1, and Aisha Sasha John on March 15. Be sure to keep the course, AP/CLTR 1953, on your must-take course list. Vanstone and Sanders are already in the process of preparing a schedule for next year’s class. You can not go wrong taking a class that gives a whole new world of reading enjoyment.
