Ottawa International Writers Festival

The 501st Legion meets Kevin J. Anderson

The 501st legion (www.501st.ca) is a worldwide organization of costuming Star Wars fans. They came out to provide 'security' for Kevin J. Anderson, one of the co-authors, with Brian Herbert, of the new Dune books. (Kevin also writes Star Wars novels.) (photo: John W. MacDonald)

Imperial Guard

Members of the 501st Legion, Canadian Garrison, Capital City Squad on guard outside the Winds of Dune event at Saint Brigids on Aug 17th. (photo: John W. MacDonald)

Brian Herbert and Kathryn Hunt

Brian Herbert, son of Frank Herbert and co-author with Kevin J. Anderson of the new Dune novels, talking with Festival staff before the event. (photo: John W. MacDonald)

Stephanie Pouliot

A portrait snapped by John W. MacDonald of one of the 501st, unmasked (thanks to the 42-degree weather!)

Nick Cave

Author/rocker Nick Cave poses before reading from his novel The Death of Bunny Munro on September 17th. Photo: The Ottawa Citizen.

Peter Simpson Live Blogs

Peter Simpson live blogs from the balcony at the Nick Cave reading. Onstage, Nick Cave and host David O'Meara. (photo: John W. MacDonald)

Nick Cave - Q&A

Nick Cave takes audience questions at his reading September 17th. (photo: JB Hildebrand)

Nick Cave and David O'Meara

After the Reading

Festival staff and guests enjoying the space after Nick Cave's reading.

Festival Staff and Nick Cave

After the signing line was finally finished, the staff stole Nick for a moment for a photo.

Margaret Atwood

The iconic author performs as Narrator, in The Year of the Flood, the North American premiere of a unique multidisciplinary performance, on September 22nd.

Margaret Atwood and choir

Margaret Atwood, with the wonderful Calixa Lavalee Ensemble in the background. (Photo: John W. MacDonald)

Rehearsal

The choir and actors rehearsing before the Year of the Flood performance. Photo from Margaret Atwood's Globe and Mail blog.

Atwood Performs Year of the Flood

Margaret Atwood onstage. (photo: Lauren Walker)

The Stage

The Calixa Lavallee Ensemble, directed by Mark Wilkinson, in front of the backdrop created by Thea Yeatman for the Ottawa production. (photo: Lauren Walker)

Students at Mother Theresa High School

The students at Mother Teresa High School waiting for Cory Doctorow to start his talk.

Cory Doctorow on Little Brother

Cory Doctorow talks to students about security, privacy, and knowing your digital rights (and showing their teachers how to get around the school net-security so they can use YouTube in class) at Mother Teresa High School.

Signing for the White Pine readers

A group of White Pine readers sat front and centre with their copies of Little Brother, and were the first up to talk to Cory after his presentation.

After the Presentation

Students had a chance to talk to Cory one on one for a bit after his presentation, and get signatures on their books.

Cory Doctorow on copyright

Cory Doctorow, hosted by Kate Heartfield, on copyright, DRM, e-books and the future of publishing.

A Fan of the Poster

Ian Rankin seemed pretty impressed with our streetside poster at Murray and Cumberland, outside Saint Brigid's Centre.

Arthur Slade at Queen Elizabeth School

Arthur introduces his latest book, The Hunchback Assignments, to an enthusiastic audience.

Arthur Slade at Saint Patrick Intermediate

400 students crowded into the cafeteria/auditorium to see Arthur's presentation.

Craig Kielburger and Adrian Harewood

Craig Kielburger, founder of Free the Children, takes questions from the audience while host Adrian Harewood looks on. (photo: Thom Fountain)

ReLit Winners

The ReLit Award winners at the presentation ceremony: Lisa Foad (Short Fiction), Maurice Mierau (Poetry), and Michael Blouin (Novel) with ReLit founder Kenneth J. Harvey. (photo: John W. MacDonald)

Elizabeth May and John Ibbitson

Elizabeth May and John Ibbitson: unlikely twins? (photo: Dwight Williams)

Ian Rankin

UK crime novelist Ian Rankin, interviewed by Alan Neal in the main hall. (photo: Dwight Williams)

Glenn Nuotio and his band

Glenn, just off a flight back from India, played a late night session with his band.

Qaisra Shahraz with students

Author Qaisra Shahraz with a group of English students at Saint Patrick High School, and their teacher Katherine Martin (just to Qaisra's right.)