Ian Rankin and Margaret Atwood at the International Festival of Authors
Photo: www.readings.org
1. Scotiabank Giller Prize Annual Gala
Founded in 1994 by Jack Rabinovitch in honour of his late wife, Doris Giller, the Scotiabank Giller Prize is the country’s most prestigious annual fiction award. Celebrity presenters Gordon Pinsent and John Ralston Saul participated in the 2007 event, which attracted 450 members of the publishing, media, and arts communities. The 2008 gala is set for November 4 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Giller Light Bash, a fund-raiser for Frontier College, is held the same evening.2. International Festival of Authors
This festival, founded in 1980, attracts contemporary authors from around the world. Harbourfront Centre will host the festival from October 22 to November 1, with book signings, readings, and the presentation of the Harbourfront Festival Prize.
3. Idea City Conference
Going into its ninth year, this three-day conference produced and presented by Moses Znaimer is an opportunity to mingle with 50 of the world’s brightest minds. World-renowned artists, scientists, authors, and others will gather at the Isabel Bader Theatre from June 18 to 20 to discuss this year’s theme: longevity and life extension. Attendance is limited to 497 participants.
4. The Canadian Journalism Foundation Annual Awards Gala
The gala, planned for May 28 at the Fairmont Royal York, recognizes excellence and achievement in Canadian journalism with three awards and a series of fellowships. Last year’s 10th anniversary event saw the Excellence in Journalism award divided into two categories: large/national media and small/local media. Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter was a guest speaker.
5. Magnet-Canada’a Magazine Conference
The 2007 conference, put on by four industry associations, saw record registrations, with close to 700 people in attendance. For three days, the conference featured more than 50 sessions, along with workshops, guest speakers—including Lewis H. Lapham, formerly of Harper’s magazine, and Rona Maynard, former editor of Chatelaine—and an award luncheon to recognize the volunteer of the year. The 2008 event will take place from June 4 to 6 at 89 Chestnut Street.
6. National Magazine Awards Gala
After going through more than 2,300 entries, the National Magazine Foundation recognizes excellence in magazine publishing at this annual presentation. The 2007 gala attracted nearly 800 for the event’s 30th anniversary. This year will see the introduction of two new categories, including best short feature, bringing the total to 39. The awards will be handed out at the Carlu on June 6.
7. International Press Freedom Awards
This dinner and award ceremony, presented by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression at Arcadian Court, brings together members of the media and business communities. Three journalists (two international and one Canadian) are honoured each year, with proceeds from the event going to the C.J.F.E.’s Journalists in Distress Fund. The awards dinner, which marks its 10th year in 2008, is held in the fall.
8. Word on the Street Festival
Established in 1990, this festival spans the country, with the largest event taking place in Toronto. (More than 245 exhibitors, 200 authors, and 210,000 attendees gathered at the Queen’s Park location last year.) The event, which has established a tradition of helping to launch emerging authors, has attracted readings from Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Berton, and David Suzuki in previous years. The 2008 festival is planned for September 28 at Queen’s Park.
Founded in 1994 by Jack Rabinovitch in honour of his late wife, Doris Giller, the Scotiabank Giller Prize is the country’s most prestigious annual fiction award. Celebrity presenters Gordon Pinsent and John Ralston Saul participated in the 2007 event, which attracted 450 members of the publishing, media, and arts communities. The 2008 gala is set for November 4 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Giller Light Bash, a fund-raiser for Frontier College, is held the same evening.2. International Festival of Authors
This festival, founded in 1980, attracts contemporary authors from around the world. Harbourfront Centre will host the festival from October 22 to November 1, with book signings, readings, and the presentation of the Harbourfront Festival Prize.
3. Idea City Conference
Going into its ninth year, this three-day conference produced and presented by Moses Znaimer is an opportunity to mingle with 50 of the world’s brightest minds. World-renowned artists, scientists, authors, and others will gather at the Isabel Bader Theatre from June 18 to 20 to discuss this year’s theme: longevity and life extension. Attendance is limited to 497 participants.
4. The Canadian Journalism Foundation Annual Awards Gala
The gala, planned for May 28 at the Fairmont Royal York, recognizes excellence and achievement in Canadian journalism with three awards and a series of fellowships. Last year’s 10th anniversary event saw the Excellence in Journalism award divided into two categories: large/national media and small/local media. Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter was a guest speaker.
5. Magnet-Canada’a Magazine Conference
The 2007 conference, put on by four industry associations, saw record registrations, with close to 700 people in attendance. For three days, the conference featured more than 50 sessions, along with workshops, guest speakers—including Lewis H. Lapham, formerly of Harper’s magazine, and Rona Maynard, former editor of Chatelaine—and an award luncheon to recognize the volunteer of the year. The 2008 event will take place from June 4 to 6 at 89 Chestnut Street.
6. National Magazine Awards Gala
After going through more than 2,300 entries, the National Magazine Foundation recognizes excellence in magazine publishing at this annual presentation. The 2007 gala attracted nearly 800 for the event’s 30th anniversary. This year will see the introduction of two new categories, including best short feature, bringing the total to 39. The awards will be handed out at the Carlu on June 6.
7. International Press Freedom Awards
This dinner and award ceremony, presented by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression at Arcadian Court, brings together members of the media and business communities. Three journalists (two international and one Canadian) are honoured each year, with proceeds from the event going to the C.J.F.E.’s Journalists in Distress Fund. The awards dinner, which marks its 10th year in 2008, is held in the fall.
8. Word on the Street Festival
Established in 1990, this festival spans the country, with the largest event taking place in Toronto. (More than 245 exhibitors, 200 authors, and 210,000 attendees gathered at the Queen’s Park location last year.) The event, which has established a tradition of helping to launch emerging authors, has attracted readings from Alistair MacLeod, Pierre Berton, and David Suzuki in previous years. The 2008 festival is planned for September 28 at Queen’s Park.
