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Writing Outside The Margins - “Canada’s Festival of Queer Literary Arts”
Sunday August 24th, 2008

Featured Authors John Cameron Mitchell, Michelle Tea and Kinnie Starr

July 17, 2008 – Toronto – Canada’s Festival of Queer Literary Arts returns to the streets of Toronto on Sunday August 24th, after the incredible success of the 2007 inaugural event. This all day festival features an array of activities for everyone, including panel discussions, an open mic stage, a poetry slam, children’s area, and exclusive readings by all confirmed authors.

Once again Church Street will become a pedestrian-only zone where LGBT readers and writers will join forces to participate in a day-long interactive celebration of queer literary arts. This year provides a completely different roster of over a dozen authors soliciting a summer sensory exploration. As well, after the popularity of last year, there will be an expanded Pink Ink Open Mic series, where anyone can garner their 15 minutes of fame. The three featured authors bring a wealth of creative influx representative of their home towns New York City, San Francisco and Vancouver.

John Cameron Mitchell wrote, directed and starred in the film Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), and was executive producer of Jonathan Caouette's award-winning autobiographical film Tarnation (2004). His second film Shortbus (2006) won various awards on the film festival circuits. He’s also directed music videos for Scissor Sisters and Bright Eyes.

Michelle Tea is the author of award winning memoirs, poetry collections and novels. She’s well known for creating the legendary Sister Spit all-girl open mic and performance tours of the 90s, which have been revived under the name Sister Spit: The Next Generation. Tea is also the creator of Radar Production, a literary non-profit that produces readings in San Francisco and beyond.

Kinnie Starr is one of Canada’s most critically acclaimed underground musicians, known for her beat slamming recordings, outspoken race and gender politics, edgy visual art and stunning good looks. Her recordings have appeared in television programs, commercials, and feature films. A new EP is in the works, as well as her first book entitled “How I Learned to Run”.This is her long awaited book of poetry, photos and drawings that provide a contemplative look at sexuality, love, history and the complexities of being part Mohawk in a Canadian family that has yet to come to terms with its indigenous roots.

Confirmed Authors

Zoe Whittall – novelist, poet, arts critic –Precordial Thump release fall 2008
Nina Arsenault – currently writing her memoirs called The Silicone Diaries,
Todd Klink – novelist, screenwriter and columnist – prolific pornographer
Daniel MacIvor – theatre playwright, artistic director, and filmmaker
RM Vaughan – writer of plays, poems, essays, and fiction – arts and culture columnist
Derek McCormack – new novel The Show That Smells - release date fall 2008
Trish Salah – explores intersections of transgender, queer and anti-colonial projects
Anand Mahadevan - explores how individuals are marginalized in social structures
Jeffrey Round – short fiction, poetry and novels – 2009 release Death In Key West
Hadassah Hill - Art Director of $pread Magazine, and working on a graphic novel
Peter Dubé– short fiction, essays, novels, anthologies, and cultural critiques
Geneva St. James - debut novel, Made For You, takes a fun look at rejection
Ryan Kamstra – fiction, articles, poetry and songwriting – new collection fall 2008
Stewart Lewis – singer and songwriter, author of Rockstarlet
Tamai Kobayashi – author of Exile and the Heart, and Quixotic Erotic

Rounding out this amazing roster of entertainment is two of Toronto’s most outrageous personalities, Ryan G. Hinds and Kristyn Dunnion, who will MC the stage readings. Hinds’ is an award-winning actor, singer, dancer, writer, artist and activist. He’s shared stages and screens with people like Liza Minnelli, Sky Gilbert, Damien Atkins, Ina unt Ina, Tara-Michelle Ziniuk, NSYNC's Lance Bass, and Gregory Hines. Dunnion is the author of Missing Matthew and Mosh Pit. Her most recent novel, Big Big Sky, is a queer futuristic love story, an anti-authoritarian bedtime fable, and a serious kick in the corporate pants. She’s also the trash talking hostess, Miss Kitty Galore.

Plans are underway for another high profile launch party, along the same amazement as last year’s soiree at the Gladstone Hotel that featured club aficionado James St. James among others. Details are to be announced shortly.

Writing Outside The Margins is presented by Xtra “Canada's gay and lesbian media group“, in partnership with the Church-Wellesley Village Business Improvement Association, and co-Produced by Jon Pressick, who is known for exploring the queer literary world from the underground up.

The Details – Sunday August 24th, 2008 - 11am-7pm - Church St between Alexander and Gloucester – Free Admission - Official Website - www.writingoutsidethemargins.ca

Contact Brandon Sawh at Xtra for information on advertising, booth rentals, or volunteer opportunities – 416 644 5204, Brandon.Sawh@xtra.ca, www.xtra.ca

Church Wellesley Village BIA, www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca

Media Inquiries, Author Bios, Images, and Interview Requests:
Bryen Dunn, Dunn Write Communications
info@bryendunn.com,


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