Irish writer Colm Tóibín speaks

The English Department is bringing in world-class writers to inspire writing students and entertain the general public.

The Writers Read at Concordia series starts Oct. 15 with Irish novelist Colm Tóibín, whose latest book, The Master, based on the life of Henry James, has just been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. It continues with Nova Scotia writer George Elliott Clarke (Oct. 29), PEI poet Mark Strand (Nov. 12), noted up-and-comer Ibi Kaslik (Skinny), and Michael Redhill, co-editor of Brick.

Series organizer Stephanie Bolster reports that as part of the series' increased professional development focus, three of this year's guests — Tóibín, Strand and Redhill — will give master classes to graduate and senior undergraduate creative writing students.

This year's events also involve collaborators to a greater extent than in the past, she added. Tóibín’s visit is co-sponsored with the Concordia Centre for Canadian Irish Studies, while the Strand and Redhill events are produced in collaboration with the Blue Metropolis Foundation. All three writers will also visit Lower Canada College while they are in Montreal.

Next March 18, the Department plans a day based on visits by successful alumni. Nino Ricci, Catherine Kidd, Carmine Starnino and Mansel Robinson take part in a panel in the morning, and give readings in the evening. The day will also include presentations by editors and agents.