Writers and readers convene for Montana Festival of the Book

Published: October 2, 2011

The 12th annual Humanities Montana Festival of the Book celebrates the literature of the West Oct. 6-8 in downtown Missoula. More than 75 authors participate in a variety of readings, panels, exhibits, demonstrations, signings, workshops, entertainment, receptions and other special events.

This year, in addition to the festival’s two days and nights of literary events, Humanities Montana is partnering with the Western Literature Association, which will present its annual conference in conjunction with the festival, Oct. 5-7.

As in years past, the Montana Festival of the Book will feature some of the most important voices of the West, with readings by award-winning authors Thomas McGuane, James Lee Burke, Jonathan Raban, Mary Clearman Blew, Anthony Doerr, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Jonathan Evison, Alan Heathcock and many others.

Highlights include the Distinguished Achievement Award reading by Thomas McGuane, 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Wilma Theatre; and a Readers and Writers Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Florence ($20), followed by a Poetry Slam, 7:30-10 p.m. at the Top Hat, hosted by Tahj Bo. Saturday’s gala reading, 7:30 p.m. at the Wilma, features Bonnie Jo Campbell, Montana Poet Laureate Sheryl Noethe and Mary Clearman Blew.

Among the many panel discussions that caught our eye:

• James Lee Burke: New Perspectives on his Fiction, featuring the famed Missoula writer responding to papers on his work, 1 p.m. Friday;

• The Coen Brothers' Cinematic West: A Conversation, featuring a panel discussion and free showings of two of the brothers’ iconic films, “Blood Simple” and “Fargo,” 2 p.m. Friday;

• West of 98: Living and Writing the American West, with the new anthology’s co-editor Russell Rowland leading an all-star discussion among contributors, including Dan Aadland, Rick Bass, Judy Blunt, William Kittredge, Melissa Kwasny, Kim Saknussemm, Robert Wrigley, and Willard Wyman, 2:30 p.m. Friday;

• When Less is More – The Short Story, featuring Glen Chamberlain, Alan Heathcock, Shann Ray and Melanie Rae Thon, 11 a.m. Saturday;

• I’m in a Western State of Mind – The Novel, with Bonnie Jo Campbell, Jonathan Evison, Joe Henry and Jenny Shank, 2:30 p.m. Saturday; and

• The World As We Find It – Journalism, with Donald Hardy, Brian Kahn, Ed Kemmick, and Judy Muller, also at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Nearly all events are free and open to the public and venues include the Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park, the Wilma Theatre, the Missoula Public Library, and the Missoula Art Museum.

Look for a complete schedule at the festival’s website, http://www.humanitiesmontana.org; call 243-6022 or 800-624-6001 for more information.