A celebration of author Deirdre Kessler’s contributions to the PEI literary community will take place on Thursday, March 20, at 7:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall, UPEI. The evening will be co-hosted by Dr. Richard Lemm, UPEI professor and Island author, and Dr. Laurie Brinklow, coordinator of the Master of Arts in Island Studies program at UPEI. It will include short readings of Kessler’s work by other Island writers, students, and friends.

Deirdre has had a pronounced influence on the Island’s culture and literary scene as an author, educator, and advocate for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s writing. She is a former Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island, a novelist, children’s author, non-fiction writer, and occasional radio broadcaster. For many years, she has been a sessional professor with the UPEI Department of English, teaching children’s literature, creative writing, and a course on L.M. Montgomery. She has supported other writers as a workshop facilitator, book editor, and teacher. She has also been involved in the L.M. Montgomery Institute from its early days and is on the editorial board of the Journal of L.M. Montgomery Studies.

All are welcome to attend this free event sponsored by the Bookmark, Charlottetown’s locally owned, independent bookstore, and the UPEI Department of English. For more information, please contact Heather Doran at heather@bookmarkreads.ca or 902-566-4888.