Granville Island Publishing Authors to Read and Sing at Word Vancouver on September 27

April 10, 2022 by by GVIP

Word Vancouver, Western Canada’s largest literary event, is in full swing at several venues across the city this week.

Granville Island Publishing, along with our authors Duane Lawrence and Gloria M. Allan, will be taking part in this celebration of the printed word on Sunday, September 27, when the festival moves to the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

Stop by and see us at booth Va on the north end of the perimeter of the library.

Duane Lawrence, author of the Sammy Squirrel and Rodney Raccoon children’s book series, was a storyteller in Stanley Park this summer. He’ll be at our booth from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where he will teach his song, “Oh Stanley Park” to the tune of “Oh Canada”.

Duane lives in Vancouver, Canada, where he teaches high school French and enjoys regular walks in beautiful Stanley Park. It was during one leisurely stroll in the park that he decided to write about the animals that live there. His writing highlights the interconnectedness of life, the sensitivity of all creatures and the value of kindness.

Vivacious Vancouverite Gloria M. Allan, 89, will be at our booth from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Gloria’s recent book, A Walk on Broken Glass, tells the story of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Like Diana, Princess of Wales, Elisabeth was a troubled woman. She was a free spirit trapped in a repressive society, a woman ahead of, and out of step, with her time. Through all her troubles, Elisabeth – affectionately known to her subjects as “Sisi” – remained true to herself, to her husband and to what she believed would be her place in history.

Gloria started her career as a cub reporter in Toronto, but gave up that precarious life to become an accountant. Never forgetting her love of writing, she became deeply interested in the empress’s story while browsing an antiquarian bookstore in London.