Our 13th annual Word on the Street Festival was just a bit unlucky, but lots of people and exhibitors still came out to have a great time! This was the first year it ever rained during The Word on the Street, and knock-on-wood, it is the last! Due to the civic strike in Vancouver, The Word on the Street could not be at the Vancouver Public Library. We moved to the surrounding streets and although some events were cancelled, everyone still managed to have a great show.

Although the layout was a bit different, many exhibitors still came out for a great Marketplace. From books and magazines, to human rights and the arts, the Marketplace was booming with things to see and do. Unfortunately the Main Stage was cancelled; it normally is set up on the VPL corner of Homer and Robson. Also due to space, Aeriosa (aerial-based performance art company) and Circus Fungus (stilt walkers) were not able to perform.

A few of the visual exhibits also had to be cancelled such as the display of Award-Winning Book Design, and Room Magazine celebrating 30 years of literary history. However, the bookmaking exhibits were still able to happen!

There were lots of great talks and panels at Magazine Mews related to the Magazine and Publishing Industry. Some of the more notable events were: Bike Basics with Momentum Magazine presented by Omar Bhimji; Brendan McLeod reads and performs with Barbara Alder; Food for Thought with Delores Broten, Trish Kelly, Don Genova, and Peter Babiak; What Do Editors Want? Panel presented by the BC Association of Magazine Publishers and moderated by Anicka Quin - associate editor for Western Living Magazine with David Jordan - associate editor for BC Business, Jennifer Nosek - editor and creative director of Modern Dog magazine, Roberta Stanley - freelance writer and editor of Enterprise magazine, and Sheryda Warrener - poet, writer, and poetry editor of PRISM International.

The Authors Tent was presented by our Independent Booksellers - 32 Books, Duthie Books, Galiano Island Books, and Banyen Books - the official booksellers of WOTS Vancouver. Some of the authors included: Graham Harrop, Arthur Black, Mike McCardell, Ruth Ozeki, Paul Edney, Colin Angus, Michael Ross, Mark Leiren-Young, Lauren Weedman, Brian Preston, Belle Puri, and Dale Stavroff, among others!

Also at WOTS, we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Vancouver International Writers Festival with a literary quiz. Quizmasters Hal Wake and Alma Lee tested audience members with 20 questions about writers who graced the festival over the past two decades. Correct answers gave audience members an entry to a drawing for tickets to the Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival in October on Granville Island.

The Poet's Corner was host to Poetry in Transit XI where 16 poems were on display and soon to adorn Vancouver's public transit system for 12 months. Some poets in attendance in the Corner were: Russell Thornton, Lionel Kearns, Alexandra Oliver, Bernice Lever, Ola Tawose, Aly Sunderji, Marita Dachsel, Hilary Peach, and the Vancouver Poetry Slam Team.

The Canada Writes tent was host to a variety of authors speaking about their titles for many ages and interests. Afterwards attendees could meet the authors and get autographed copies at the nearby Independent Booksellers Tent. Some Canadian talent included: Chris McMahen, John Lekich, Meg Tilly, Rosella Leslie, Mary Novik, Bruce Grierson, Barbara Wyn Klunder, Linda Rogers, M.A.C. Farrant, David Tracey, Bill Gaston, France Perras, Pascal Blanchet, Chris Harris, Carellin Brooks, Stan Persky, Billeh Nickerson, and John Barton... to name a few!

Celebrating the Family Stories Project III at the Family Stories Tent showcased a wide variety of thought-provoking talent. The tent had a celebration for the project as well as the Eagle Song Dancers, as well as many authors such as: Deborah Hodge, Will and Marion Stroet, Cori Howard, Calvin Sandborn, Leilah Nadir, and Chris Arnett. Also -- Fin, Vancouver's favourite Canucks mascot was visiting with some members of the Vancouver Canucks team! Later in the day, Yosef Wosk hosted the Philosopher's Café to discuss both aspects of "story" and "family". Interested in starting your own Family Stories Journal? The Family Literacy Tent had lots of useful information about families, literacy, and lifelong learning.

Lots of fun was to be had at the Kids Tent! With the Tickle Trunk Players visiting, as well as the Renaissance Puppetry Troupe, no one was bothered by the weather. Authors also visiting and reading included: Kari-Lynn Winters, nan Gregory, Scott Higgs, Ron Smith, Ruth Campbell, Ellen Schwartz, Lyn Hancock, Chris Mizzoni, Jeff Sinclair, Caroline Adderson, Michelle Mulder, and Anne Glover.

As always, The Vancouver Sun Raise-a-Reader corner was a success! There were picture book authors of the youngest members of the family, plus storytelling by children's librarians from the Lower Mainland. Featuring Bricolo - a Francophone clown, Richard Van Camp, and Robert Heidbreder.

The Word Under the Street was greatly affected due to the civic strike. All the readings and panels, which usually take place downstairs in the VPL, had to be cancelled. However, all of the exhibitors were outside the Canada Post Office and still had a great time.

All the Writing Talks, which normally take place in the library, downstairs, were moved to a tent outside the Canada Post Office. There were many interesting panels to attend, hosted by the SFU Writing and Publishing Program. Writing for the Web, Organizing your Writing Life, Writing and Illustrating Children's Books, and creative non-fiction were just some of the ideas presented. Moderated and discussed by members of the publishing industry, including: Linda King, Jerry Wasserman, Linda Malloy, Vanessa Richmond of The Tyee, members of The Writer's Studio, the Vancouver Society of Storytelling, Marty McLennan, Michelle David, Rae Mate, Kari-Lynn Winters, and many more.

While the 13th Annual WOTS Vancouver was a little different, and slightly wetter than normal, everyone had fun and it wouldn't be the same without the great help of our trusty volunteers, site staff, exhibitors, crew, and friends. Thanks to everyone who helped out and made WOTS 2007 memorable!