Author Dianne Warren brings York U to ‘Liberty Street’

Dianne Warren
Dianne Warren

Author Dianne Warren will be the featured guest in the first instalment of the 2016-17 Canadian Writers in Person Lecture Series on Sept. 20 from 7 to 10pm at 206 Accolade West Building.

dianne-warren-liberty-streetWarren will focus on her novel Liberty Street, which is the sequel to her 2010 Governor General’s Award-winning book ­Cool Water (also known as Juliet in August in the U.S.).

Liberty Street is set in Saskatchewan and follows the character Frances Moon, who uncovers her past and must face the ghosts of her bad decisions.

Born in Ottawa, and now based in Saskatchewan where she has called home most of her life, Warren is the author of several acclaimed books including The Wednesday Flower Man (1987), Bad Luck Dog (1993), which won the Saskatchewan Book of the Year, and A Reckless Moon (2002).

Warren also has three plays to her writing credit – including Serpent in the Night Sky, which was shortlisted for the 1989 Governor General’s Award for drama.

She earned a degree in fine arts, and pursued writing more seriously after joining a writing group called The Bombay Bicycle Club, which ignited her literary pursuits.

The Canadian Writers in Person Lecture Series, presented by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LAPS), brings Canadian writers to campus for an up-close and personal event.

The series runs as part of a degree credit course on Canadian literary culture through the LA&PS Culture & Expression program. Members of the York community not enrolled in the course can also enjoy the readings, which are free and open to the public.

More events in the series include:

  • Oct. 4 – Richard Van Camp, Night Moves
  • Oct. 18 – Olive Senior, The Pain Tree
  • Nov. 1 – Laurie D. Graham, Settler Education
  • Nov. 15 – Helen Humphreys, The Evening Chorus
  • Nov. 29 – Allan Weiss, Making the Rounds
  • Jan. 17 – André Alexis, Fifteen Dogs
  • Jan. 31 – Lynn Crosbie, Where Did You Sleep Last Night?
  • Feb. 14 – Madhur Anand, A New Index for Predicting Catastrophe
  • March 7 – Katherena Vermette, North End Love Song
  • March 21 – Terry Fallis, Poles Apart

For more information, email gailv@yorku.ca or leslie@yorku.ca.