Abstract
In October 2006, Edmonton became the first city in Canada to host a literary festival completely devoted to the genre of creative nonfiction. Edmonton LitFest – the shorthand title for the Edmonton International Literary Festival – remains one of the few festivals in the world to address the themes, content, and issues inherent in the amorphous writing style that has embraced such names as Gonzo journalism, participatory journalism, memoir, life writing and literary journalism.
The 2007 edition of Edmonton LitFest, taking the theme of Hot North!, was expanded to four days, Oct. 11-14, 2008, with a focus on adventure, aboriginal peoples, resources and exploration, exile and lost souls, and climate change and environment. The authors on the international guest list included Edith Iglauer, Rudy Wiebe, Barbara Kingscote, Susan Aglukark, George Monbiot, Andrew Nikiforuk, Elizabeth Kolbert, Nancy Wachowich, Rhoda Katsak, Tom Radford, Janice Williamson, Joyce Dene, Debbie Marshall, Ken McGoogan, David Solway, Anthony Dalton, and Melanie McGrath.