November 2, 1998
(Executive Council)

The following is being distributed at the request of the VIA Rail Great Canadian Literary Tour

The opening reception of the VIA Rail Great Canadian Literary Tour will take place on Wednesday, November 4 at 2 p.m., at the Poet and Peasant bookstore, 125 Water Street, St. John's. This event will feature Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson, writers Terry Jordan and Sarah Dearing as well as local authors Paul Bowdring and Carmelita McGrath.

Premier Brian Tobin will officially welcome tour writers and organizers to Newfoundland, and Ms. McGrath will read from her award-winning book, To The New World.

This unprecedented 26-day tour, presented by Canada Post and VIA Rail Canada, will feature a rotating lineup of 30 Canadian authors and make stops at hundreds of locations across the country. Off-train events in 16 cities are also planned. Authors Sarah Dearing and Peter McCormack will join the above-mentioned writers on November 5 at 8 p.m. at The Poet and Peasant for the first public event of the tour.

Note: Interviews with organizers and writers can be scheduled after the event by contacting Spencer Ferron-Tripp, Literary Tour Communications. Media kits are also available upon request.

Media contact:

Spencer Ferron-Tripp                                                          Heidi Bonnell
Literary Tour Communications                                              Office of the Premier
(613) 291-1401                                                                   (709) 729-3960

1998 11 02             4:10 p.m.