By Susan Page

 

The final two events of the January Session of San Miguel de Allende’s “Literary Season Online” both occur on Sat, Jan 23. In the afternoon at 2pm, we will present a panel for both readers and writers of speculative fiction, which includes science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, ghost stories, fairy tales and more. Writers Coatl S, Kat Falls, and David Dykes will discuss the appeal and relevance of this type of writing and the importance of enticing readers to suspend disbelief.

 

In the evening at 6pm, we present one of the most exciting features of our entire season: an interview with Souvankham Thammavongsa, author of “How to Pronounce Knife,” and winner of Canada’s 2019 Giller Prize, their most prestigious award that includes a cash grant of CAN$100,000. Thammavongsa is Canadian with a Laotian background. Her fiction has been widely published, and she has also won several prizes for her poetry.

 

Isabel Wilkerson, Diana Gabaldon

 

The San Miguel Writers’ Conference “Literary Season Online” has presented the most star-studded group of authors that we have ever gathered, and some of the most popular and beloved authors are still to come. On Sun, Feb 7, we present current New York Times bestseller Isabel Wilkerson, whose book Caste is a breakthrough study of the underlying causes of the pervasive racism that continues to plague societies. Her book was an Oprah Book Club selection.

 

Then, on Sat, Feb 13, Diana Gabaldon, author of the wildly popular Outlander series will be our guest. Local resident Bob Stolebarger, recently retired from a distinguished career as a trial lawyer and a devoted reader of the Outlander books, is preparing a fabulous interview with Diana. This will be a not-to-be-missed event. If you have read the Outlander books, by all means join the free online book discussion group scheduled for Tues, Feb 2, at 7:30pm.

 

Other Literary Events

 

For writers seeking publication, you won’t find more concentrated or current information than from our panel “The Wisdom of the Agents” on Sun, Feb 7, at 2pm. And don’t miss the entertaining radio play, “Flies in the Jar,” by our own Nathan Feuerberg on Wed, Feb 10, at 9:30pm, one of our “Late Night Live” features. Are you in a book group? We are planning a “Book Club Boot Camp” with ideas to enliven your discussions, on Sun, March 7, at 2pm.

 

Ambassador Graeme Clark and Emma Donoghue

 

In a significant affirmation of the value of our international literary presence, the Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, The Honorable Graeme Clark, will address our Conference via Zoom at the time we present Canadian writer Emma Donoghue, author of Room and her new novel, The Pull of the Stars. Scheduled for Sun, March 14, this will be the final event of our remarkable season, with Ambassador Graeme’s endorsement to send us off to our February 2022 Conference, which we are now planning, optimistic that we will be able to assemble at the Real de Minas by then.

 

For complete information and tickets: sanmiguelwritersconference.org. For tickets to individual events, click on the session when that event will occur.