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NEWS RELEASE (CNS844) -->> EDUCATION/CULTURE--NOVA SCOTIAN AUTHORS TO ATTEND BOOK FAIR EDUCATION/CULTURE--NOVA SCOTIAN AUTHORS TO ATTEND BOOK FAIR ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nova Scotian authors Sheree Fitch and Budge Wilson will be attending the prestigious Feria Internacional del Libro (FIL - International Book Fair) in Guadalajara, Mexico, at the end of November. The fair, which attracted 729 publishers from 27 countries last year, is under the auspices of the University of Guadalajara. This year Canada is being honoured as a special guest country, and the FIL will feature cultural performances and exhibitions by Canadian artists. Sheree Fitch and Budge Wilson are the only Atlantic Canadians who will be attending, joining a roster of high profile Canadian writers. The authors were recommended by the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia. The writers are being supported by the cultural affairs division of the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Culture and federally by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Nova Scotia Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison said "The Department is delighted that Sheree Fitch and Budge Wilson will be among the group of fine Canadian writers profiled in Mexico. The FIL opens doors to many new markets, and will showcase their talents to the world." This book fair is now considered the most important and prestigious book fair in Latin America. Because of Mexico's young population (40 per cent under 20 years of age), children's books are of special interest at the FIL, and a special exhibit of children's art organized by the Canadian Children's Book Centre in Toronto will be on display. There will also be an opportunity for the public to buy Canadian books directly at a bookstore organized by the Association for the Export of Canadian Books. Budge Wilson is an award-winning author of children's, young adult and adult books, whose book of short stories "The Leaving" received the City of Dartmouth Book Award, the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award and many other citations. She has written over 15 books and received grants from the Canada Council, the Ontario Arts Council and Cultural Affairs. She has spoken to audiences coast to coast and in the far north, and in Germany. Her books are taught in a number of Canadian universities. Her work has been published in nine countries and has been translated into six languages. She has three books coming out in 1997, and she won the Ann Connor Brimer Award for "Oliver's Wars" in 1993. Sheree Fitch is a performance poet, educator, journalist, author and activist who has performed her work as far south as Belize and as far north as the Canadian Arctic. Her first book of nonsense poetry, "toes in my nose", (Doubleday Canada) was published in 1987 and continues to be a best selling children's book. In 1992 she won the Christie's Book Award for "There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen". She has been profiled in Chatelaine, Macleans and Atlantic Advocate, and works tirelessly for the cause of literacy. Ms. Fitch is currently at work on two children's plays and a children's television pilot. -30- Contact: Peggy Walt 902-424-6389 trp Nov. 25, 1996 - 12:58 p.m.