This should probably go in events, but does anyone really read Goodreads events?

Thursday, February 2, 2012
7:00pm until 10:00pm
Cat Sass Coffee House,
Norwood Ontario

Join celebrated local authors Ursula Pflug, Leanne Simpson and Kate Story as they read from their new books at Cat Sass coffeehouse in Norwood, Ontario, at 7 pm on Thursday, February 2nd. The lovely Doug Back will be the MC for the evening.

Simpson's Dancing On Our Turtle's Back, published by Winnipeg's Arbeiter Ring, is her first solo-authored book of essays, and shares the traditional wisdom of local Elders Doug Williams and Edna Manitowabi. Simpson's writing shines as she combines academic theory, traditional wisdom and playful indigenous storytelling, grounding complex ideas in the here and now of raising kids, working for social justice and educating the general public about local (Peterborough) and national history. Her scholarly yet accessible approach is particularly valuable in helping us understand situations such as the current tragedy in Attawapiskat. This book follows two collections of essays Simpson compiled and edited, written by indigenous scholars and activists from across the country.

Kate Story will be reading from Wrecked Upon This Shore, her second novel, published by Newfoundland's Killick Press. Set in Toronto, Peterborough and the Thousand Islands in the 70's and 80's, Wrecked traces the multi-generational damage caused by abuse. It is an at times wrenching read but is also highly comedic and welcome not least because it busts some familiar stereotypes. Wrecked follows Story's first novel, Blasted, a fairy tale set in Toronto and St John's, which was short-listed for the Sunburst and ReLit Awards. Story is also known for her work as a choreographer and actor.

Both Simpson and Story have read from their new books in Peterborough, Toronto and the Maritimes before bringing them to Norwood.

This event is sponsored in part by the National Public Readings program of the Writer's Union of Canada, and has been organised by Casey Beecroft of Cat Sass Coffeehouse and music store on Highway Seven. Pflug will read from her third book and new story collection, Harvesting the Moon, due out next year from Great Britain's PS Publishing. The stories will be selected from works previously published in Canadian, UK and US publications, including top tier magazines Postscripts, Strange Horizons and Fantasy.

"The National Public Readings Program of The Writer's Union is an under utilised resource," Pflug says. "It's a great way to get authors out into the community sharing their work. Leanne and Kate are both good friends and great storytellers, so we're all looking forward to a fun night."
Kate Story