Lisa Dempster The Wheeler Centre
Lisa Dempster is perfectly accurate in her assessment of the mission of a writer’s festival:
Supporting the machinations of the publishing industry – promoting and supporting writers, celebrating and selling books, creating networking opportunities – is only one aspect of the mission of a writer’s festival. The other major purpose is to entertain and inspire audiences, adding to the creative and intellectual life of a city, and promoting the values of literature and literacy overall.
Suzanne Burdon is a local, a book lover, an author, a researcher and is passionate about writers festivals. She is very proud to be part of the Berry's first Festival.