Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library
Linda Little began her tenure on October 1st, 2007 at the Antigonish Public Library, with a reading from her second novel, Scotch River. Two nights later on Wednesday, October 3, she was in the New Glasgow Public Library Program Room for a reading with her Pictou County fans.
Making this natural relationship between writers and libraries possible this time around is the Writers Federation of Nova Scotia, whose Board of Directors unanimously endorsed the project when they were asked for assistance. Partnering with the official provincial body that supports writers throughout our province provides further testimony of the worth of the program, the only one of its kind in a public library system in Nova Scotia.
Little rose to popular and critical acclaim following the publication of her first novel, Strong Hollow, in 2001. In late 2006 she released her second work of fiction, Scotch River, which swept the Atlantic Book Awards in May when it picked up the Dartmouth Book Award and the Thomas Head Raddall Atlantic fiction prizes.
As WIR, Little's duties were giving public readings and appearances, delivering creative writing workshops for area writers, and giving personal writing consultations. Given the geographic nature of this library region, her six month term was divided into two equal parts between Pictou and Antigonish Counties. The fall session ran October 1 to December 10 in Antigonish County while the winter session was from January 14 to March 30 in Pictou County. At the Antigonish Library, she worked with the fledgling Antigonish Library Writing Group as initiated by our previous WIR, Harry Thurston. In Pictou County, she attended monthly meetings of Pictou County Writer's Group during the winter session.
Little's confidence, her insight and skill in creative writing instruction and her experience gained in publishing two novels served to nurture and enhance the output of our working, community of writers.
