Talking About “Women Talking”: New Possibilities

A diverse gathering of writers, readers, and community leaders to discuss changing relations between writers and their public.

Writers, publishers, scholars, students, librarians and readers are invited to an innovative culturally diverse discussion about the changing relations between writers and the public in the era of the internet. The Colloquium was inspired by the novel and movie Women Talking, and the global attention these works received, which highlighted among other things the sometimes troubled relationship between writers, “talkers,” their home communities and the general public. We hope to contribute to the development of principles and protocols that might be widely adopted to facilitate friendlier interaction between these different interest groups than has sometimes not been the case. We think there are more uplifting and useful strategies we could share and agree upon than “I don’t care” on the one hand, and “cancel culture” on the other.

Presenters include Rabbi Allan Finkel, MWG President and Vice President Sharon Hamilton and David Williamson, Winnipeg Poets Laureate Di Brandt and Duncan Mercredi, and Dr. Rita Dirks. Breakout discussions will follow the brief opening presentations. The event has been coordinated by and will be hosted by Di Brandt and Sharon Hamilton.

*Photo courtesy of Di Brandt

$50 Guild members, $60 non-members, $25 student/low income.