In a year that has seen so many cancellations, postponements and events moving online, it was wonderful to hear that the 5^th Annual Lunenburg Lit Festival will be proceeding with in-person events. Of course there will be some changes in how things are set up, but what a welcome sense of normalcy to these unusual times. Have you attended the festival before? Maybe this is the year that you make your way to the Lunenburg Lit Festival?

 “We’re thrilled to be hosting our 5^th annual Lit Festival in Lunenburg.  Unlike many other Festivals this fall, our event will be live and in-person.” says South Shore Public Libraries CEO Troy Myers.  “We’ve always prided ourselves on being an intimate gathering of readers and writers on the South Shore and we are confident that our COVID-19 Protocols will ensure safety while providing an enjoyable literary experience.”

Taking place September 24th – 26th in various locations throughout Lunenburg, the festival aims to showcase the cultural diversity, architectural history, and natural beauty of the town and region. Organized by South Shore Public Libraries, this year’s festival line-up features ten “Atlantic Bubble” authors for readings, panels, Q&A sessions and more. This festival has something for everyone including kids, budding authors, historians, fiction and non-fiction lovers alike.

Festival events kick off in the morning on Thursday September 24^th, with a free kids event featuring Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist, Young Adult Author, Jo Treggiari. Thursday evening has another free event “Pitch the Publisher”. Three editors from Nevermore Press, MacIntyre Purcell Publishing and Nimbus Publishing will listen to 16 budding authors pitch their ideas. You could say that it is the festivals version of “Dragon’s Den”.

Do you have an idea for the next great Canadian novel, or historical or non-fiction piece that you feel needs to be shared, apply online to make your pitch!

There are three unique panels lined up, one Friday evening and two on Saturday, including the Annual Non-Fiction panel Saturday afternoon exploring the craft of writing and publishing non-fiction. Panelists include authors, journalists, poets, critical thinkers and more.  

This is a wonderful chance to ask questions and listen to conversations about living and working in the literary world. I think these discussions will be especially interesting this year with the onset of COVID-19 and hearing what the effects of the pandemic has been on their processes and livelihood.  

Saturday also offers you the chance to stretch your legs, learn a little bit of history and take in the sights. You can join Librarian and local folklore buff Ashlee Feener on a “Literary Tour of Old Town Lunenburg” and discover fascinating literary sites and connections right in Lunenburg. Looking to enjoy a bit more of the local scenery, make your way to beautiful Blue Rocks, for the Nevermore Press book launch of “The Last Goin Off” by author Rhian Calcott. Both events are a nice way to start the final day of the festival.

“The Lunenburg Lit Festival is a celebration of storytelling on the South Shore.  There’s no better way to get inside a storyteller’s head than have them read to you. We’re very excited to be one of the only live and in person literary events of the season. Join us this fall to enjoy world-class literary presentations, Q&As, and stories, in historic Lunenburg.” South Shore Public Libraries

Festival tickets can be purchased at any branch of South Shore Public Libraries, at Block Shop Books, Lunenburg Bound or by phone at (902)543-2548. Ticket options are $10 – Literary Walking Tour, $20 for a single evening or afternoon event and $50 for an all-event pass. Please visit the Festival Website for all the details, you can see their COVID-19 protocols here.

Three days full of literary inspired events, the 5th Annual Lunenburg Lit Festival sounds like a wonderful way to spend the last weekend of September.

Have you been to the Lunenburg Lit Festival before? Any authors or events you are planning to go see this year? Leave a comment and let us know!