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about Elephant mountain lit

Elephant Mountain Lit Fest is a project of the Kootenay Literary Society, a registered non-profit that was founded in 2011 by a group of literary movers and shakers in the Nelson area. Along with Elephant Mountain Lit Fest, the Kootenay Literary Society brings authors into local schools and partners with other organizations on literary happenings throughout the year.

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For a look back at our Festivals since 2012, see our Past Festivals and Gallery pages.

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Kootenay Literary Society BOARD

 

President | Samara Nicoll

Vice-President | Leesa Dean

Treasurer | Paul Novitski

Antonia Banyard

Rayya Liebich

Anna Purcell

Nathan Wilkinson

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For $1, become a member this year, and show your support for our promotion of the arts in the Kootenays! The KLS accepts board nominations at each Annual General Meeting, usually held in November.

  • Kootenay Literary Society Annual General Meeting
    Kootenay Literary Society Annual General Meeting
    Jan 23, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – Jan 24, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
    Zoom
    Rewind 2023 with us!
  • After Apocalypse: A Zine Workshop on Emergence
    After Apocalypse: A Zine Workshop on Emergence
    Sep 17, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Nelson, 502 Vernon St, Nelson, BC V1L 4E7, Canada
    The End Times are over, and you survived in Nelson’s Bunker. The doors are about to open, and you are invited to enter a new world. Who are you now? What will you find? What kind of community emerges from the Bunker? What do you leave behind, and what do you carry forward?
  • Ponderosa Reading @ Nelson Studio 88
    Ponderosa Reading @ Nelson Studio 88
    Sep 16, 2023, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Nelson, 402 Victoria St, Nelson, BC V1L 4K5, Canada
    FT. Greg Nesteroff, James Pakootas, Susan Andrews Grace, and Shayna Jones *Included in the Gold Pass
  • Creativity as a Catalyst for Change
    Creativity as a Catalyst for Change
    Sep 16, 2023, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
    Nelson, 402 Victoria St, Nelson, BC V1L 4K5, Canada
    How can creative voices and storytelling change the world? Join Ivan Coyote, John Vaillant, and James Pakootas in a conversation moderated by Leesa Dean. *Included in the Gold Pass
  • It’s A Mood: Speaking Between Music and Message
    It’s A Mood: Speaking Between Music and Message
    Sep 16, 2023, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Nelson, 402 Victoria St, Nelson, BC V1L 4K5, Canada
    It has been said that poetry exists in that space somewhere between spoken language and pure melody. In this workshop, we will explore the polarities of playing with sound in language and being explicit around our “message.”
  • Workshop: Active Voice w/ Ivan Coyote
    Workshop: Active Voice w/ Ivan Coyote
    Sep 16, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
    Nelson, 719 Vernon St Suite 103, Nelson, BC V1L 4G3, Canada
    Join the author of 13 books and well-seasoned storyteller Ivan Coyote for this workshop crafted to help you bring your written work to life on stage.
  • Cottonwood Reading @The Capitol Theatre
    Cottonwood Reading @The Capitol Theatre
    Sep 15, 2023, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Nelson, 421 Victoria St, Nelson, BC V1L 4K6, Canada
    Join us at the Capitol Theatre for a reading from Ivan Coyote, Sonnet L'Abbe, John Vaillant, and Deryn Collier. *Included in the Gold Pass. Individual tickets sold through The Capitol Theatre.
  • Nature Speaks
    Nature Speaks
    Sep 14, 2023, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
    Nelson, 602 Silica St, Nelson, BC V1L 4N1, Canada
    Imagine creating art from conversation. This 3-hour poetry experience will explore our relationships to each other and our connection to Mother Earth.
  • Copyright 101 w/ Martha Rans
    Copyright 101 w/ Martha Rans
    Sep 13, 2023, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    Zoom
    Elephant Mountain Lit Fest has partnered with the Nelson & District Arts Council to offer a free webinar on Copyright with Martha Rans
  • The Modern Publishing Landscape
    The Modern Publishing Landscape
    Sep 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. PDT
    Zoom
    This webinar with Friesen Press provides an overview of the modern book publishing landscape and gives advice to authors on how to successfully navigate it. We’ll discuss the general publishing options of Traditional Publishing, DIY, and Assisted Self-Publishing.
  • Writing's Role On Screen: A Conversation and Short Film Screening
    Writing's Role On Screen: A Conversation and Short Film Screening
    Sep 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
    Nelson, 719 Vernon St Suite 103, Nelson, BC V1L 4G3, Canada
    Individual tickets for this event are sold through the Civic Theatre. This event is included in the Gold Pass
  • Elephant Mountain Lit Fest Gold Pass
    Elephant Mountain Lit Fest Gold Pass
    Sep 11, 2023, 7:00 p.m. – Sep 17, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
    Location is TBD
    The gold pass provides access to all festival panels and readings.
  • Elephant Mountain Lit Fest Opening
    Elephant Mountain Lit Fest Opening
    Sep 11, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
    Nelson, 719 Vernon St Suite 103, Nelson, BC V1L 4G3, Canada
    Help us kick off Elephant Mountain Lit Fest with a bubbly beverage at the Nelson Civic Theatre before our first event of the festival "Writing's Role on Screen"
  • WORKSHOP: Lyric Writing with Dawn Pemberton
    WORKSHOP: Lyric Writing with Dawn Pemberton
    Sep 13, 2022, 6:00 p.m. PDT
    Nelson United Church
    "Sing Me a Story": Build your skills with Dawn Pemberton, September 13 & 14 from 6pm- 9pm each day!
  • OPEN BRUNCH
    OPEN BRUNCH
    Jun 26, 2022, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    Port 701, Prestige Lakeside Inn, 701 Lakeside Dr, Nelson, BC
    ...at Port 701 restaurant, Prestige Lakeside Resort, with Festival authors and team
  • ALL-STAR READING
    ALL-STAR READING
    Jun 25, 2022, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
    Prestige Lakeside Resort, 701 Lakeside Dr, Nelson, BC V1L 6G3, Canada
    With Angie Abdou, Shaena Lambert, Tom Wayman, and Suzanne Simard
  • HAPPY HOUR
    HAPPY HOUR
    Jun 25, 2022, 4:30 p.m. – Jun 26, 2022, 6:00 p.m.
    Nelson, 701 Lakeside Dr, Nelson, BC V1L 6G3, Canada
    With attendees from this year's workshops
  • PANEL: The Past, Present, & Future Walk into a Bar
    PANEL: The Past, Present, & Future Walk into a Bar
    Jun 25, 2022, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Prestige Lakeside Resort, 701 Lakeside Dr, Nelson, BC V1L 6G3, Canada
    Shaena Lambert, Angie Abdou, Lucas Myers & Brian Lye

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The festival planning committee is always interested in talking to prospective members and festival volunteers.

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Please keep in touch! Sign up for our newsletter below, or Contact us any time.
 

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