DOUGLAS GIBSON:

"The ultimate CanLiT cocktail party book."
– Quill & Quire

"Here is my prize read for those interested in writers, books, Canada, life, and all that kind of thing." — Alice Munro

"No one has done more for Canadian Literature than this man, Douglas Gibson."
— Alistair MacLeod

Publisher, turned author, Gibson has seen and done it all in Canadian literature. He has decided to chronicle a vibrant and colourful life in Canadian publishing into a book/memoir, but, fortunate for L3, he has also turned the book into a One-man Show (see his web) which promises to dazzle and delight fans of Canadian authors and prominent political figures. No one in Canada knows the inner workings and historical details of what went on and what goes on in the back rooms of bookmaking. Gibson's appearance at L3 is sure to come with a few surprises!

DAVE BIDINI:

"With this colourful , high energy writer at the wheel, it's a great ride."
– Globe and Mail (Peter Feniak)

Bidini is simply a Renaissance Man: Canadian rock and roll icon as founding member of the Rheostatics, author, journalist, panellist, rabid sports fan, and world traveller. His latest book is a letter to another Canadian music legend, Gordon Lightfoot; however, it is also a slice of life in Canada in the year 1972 – Mariposa denies Bob Dylan the stage, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young show up unannounced, the Stones play Maple Leaf Gardens the same night, Canada faces Russia in hockey, escaped Millhaven inmates scare south eastern Ontario, the drinking age is lowered, and so, so much more. Don't miss Bidini's entertaining and always insightful stories about his beloved country and countrymen!

PRISCILA UPPAL:

"Canada's coolest poet."
– Time Out, London, UK

Uppal has truly pioneered the world of literature and sport. As "Poet in Residence" for the Vancouver Olympics, Paralympics, Rogers Cup Tennis – and many other sporting events – she has bridged the gap between two seemingly disparate cultures: jocks and artsies. (In fact, many other countries are now adopting a 'poet-in-residence' for their sporting events too! Her poems will inspire; but her stories will delight.

MARTHA SCHABAS:

"We tend to forget how ambition can fire the young, but Schabas' tale drives the point home."
– Toronto Star (Nancy Wigston)

Martha Schabas was born in Toronto. She holds an M.A. in English Literature from Queen's University, and an M.A. in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, where she received the David Higham Literary Award. Her articles, book reviews and fiction have appeared in The Globe and Mail, The New Quarterly, ELLE Canada, Broken Pencil, and Maisonneuve. Various Positions was named one of the Top 5 Books of 2011 in Quill & Quire, and one of the Best Debut Fictions in the Globe and Mail.

JAY ASHER:

Asher's book, Thirteen Reasons Why, is a #1 New York Times Bestsellers! His follow-up, The Future is Us, is sure to be the same! His stories change people's lives and act as amazing discussion 'ice-breakers' about sensitive, but very real and important, issues with modern youth.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers

Recently on tour across the United States, Asher comes to L3 as part of PenguinBooks new launch of a YA series called Razorbill. We are thrilled to have Asher at our conference.

LESLEY LIVINGSTON:

Lesley brings her unique perspective on youth culture, weaving the paranormal and mystical with the day-to-day realities of life as a teen. Her novels are rich with imagery, symbolism and fantastical scenes.

Lesley is a writer and actor living in Toronto, Canada. Captivated at a young age by stories of mythology and folk lore, past civilizations, and legendary heroes, she developed into a full-fledged Celtic Mythology Geek, steeped in stories of the Otherworld, Faeries and King Arthur. Lesley went on to earn a Master's Degree in English from the University of Toronto specializing in Shakespeare and Arthurian literature.

ROB PAUL WESTON:

While Zorgamazoo, a full-length novel told entirely in verse – a la Dr. Seuss, is being read, lauded and translated throughout the world, Weston comes with his next offering, Dust City. A dynamic reader and speaker, Weston returns to L3 tickle the funny bone and enchant the ears!

This is a book for readers who are after something a little more hardboiled than the usual fare. Or, as it says on the label, "When your dad is the wolf who killed little red riding hood, life is no fairytale."

CHARLES DE LINT:

Charles de Lint is widely credited with having pioneered the contemporary fantasy genre. With 35 novels and 18 books of short fiction published to date, he is known as a master in his field.

His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace, is a love story, a ghost story, a supernatural mystery and, above all, a heart-wrenching tale of passion and faith. It has been nominated for two major Canadian book awards (the Sunburst and the Evergreen).

His latest young adult novel, The Painted Boy, will be released by Viking Books as their lead title in November 2010. Two books for middle-grade readers (as yet unscheduled) will be published by Little, Brown and Company. He is currently writing a young adult novel for Penguin Canada.

De Lint has been described as a romantic, a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His vivid portrayal of character and settings has earned him a vast cadre of loyal readers.