Wow! Vancouver is holding a major Canadian poetry conference in October as part of the Vancouver 125 celebrations.

The Vancouver 125 Poetry Conference is a four-day poetry conference, October 19-22, 2011. The focus is new generation of poets, which are defined as poets who published their first book after 1990. The conference is presented in partnership with the Office of the Poet Laureate of the City of Vancouver, The City of Vancouver, Simon Fraser University’s Writing and Publishing Program, The Vancouver International Writers Festival, The Vancouver Public Library and the Listel Hotel.

This is an amazing opportunity to enjoy poetry from poets across North America.

Participants include Griffin Prize winner Christian B√∂k (Eunoia), Griffin and Governer Governor-General’s Award finalist Ken Babstock (Airstream Land Yacht), Griffin shortlisted poet Suzanne Buffam (The Irrationalist), G-G nominee Evelyn Lau (Oedipal Dreams), and Michael Turner (Hard Core Logo).

We have some non-poet here, but the keynote reading will feature Governor-General’s Award and Griffin Prize winner Don McKay (Strike/Slip); prolific and esteemed U.S. writer Fanny Howe (On the Ground); and fellow American Martin Espada, a Pulitzer Prize finalist (for The Republic of Poetry).

According to a recent Vancouver Sun article, there was a landmark 1963 poetry conference, which brought some U.S. superstars to town. Hm, clearly time for another major poetry event.

The conference will be at SFU Woodward’s in October. The 90-minute sessions will be for readings and discussions.

Plus V125PC coincides with the Vancouver International Writers Festival, which means there will be a lot of literary madness going on in this city.

The Vancouver 125 Poetry Conference will be held Oct. 19-22
http://v125pc.com/
@v125pc

$99-149 are the early bird prices
http://v125pc.com/register/