Nelson author Deryn Collier doesn’t just write about murders—she’s actually witnessed one. The mystery scribbler, who is headlining the upcoming Kootenay Book Weekend (KBW), promises she will go into much more detail when she takes the stage on Sunday, September 21 at the Best Western on Baker Street.
“My plan is to entertain and shock the audience,” said Collier, who was enlisted after author Helen Humphreys dropped out due to illness. Her most recent books are the Arthur Ellis-nominated Confined Space and her most recent release, Open Secret, which came out in the spring.
“I’m a huge fan of Helen Humphreys, so it’s a real honour to be asked to take her place. I was really looking forward to hearing her speak, so it’s unfortunate she couldn’t come,” she said.
That being said, Collier is thrilled to be a part of the book club event. She said book clubs are where many of the most interesting developments in literature are happening today.
“Book clubs are where exciting things are happening with readers. They keep things going and get people excited about publishing. While bookstores are going under, book clubs are where things are getting really interesting,” she said.
The books under discussion during the weekend are 419 by Will Ferguson, The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad, A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki and The Reinvention of Love by Humphreys.
The Kootenay Book Weekend has grown from 37 participants in 2004 to 60 people in 2013. Organizers are expecting even more participants in this year’s event.
Tickets are $10 and are available at Booksmyth, Otter Books and at the door. For more information, visit kootenaybookweekend.ca.