Hamilton's literary festival, gritLit, is in its seventh year and organizer Jennifer Gillies came by to tell us who they have lined up to instruct and delight us in all genres. This year's events centre on themes as diverse as humour and racial attitudes in literature. Jennifer brought gritLit reader, Gary Barwin along to give us a taste of the festival. Gary's unique and whimsical perspective is embodied in the title of his latest poetry collection (from which he read): The Porcupinity of the Stars.

Jennifer Gillies is a Hamilton writer and creative writing instructor. While living in Korea, she contributed a monthly column to Pops English magazine in Seoul, wrote for a children's book publisher in Taipei, and co-authored a university textbook. Gary Barwin is a poet, fiction writer, composer, and performer. His music and writing have been published, performed and broadcast in Canada, the US, and elsewhere.

(Reused with permission. Creative Commons License)