The independent bookstore L’Exèdre, based in Trois-Rivières, has announced its fall program. Twice a month, from September 18 to November 22, the bookstore welcomes Quebec authors to aperitif lectures organized by booksellers from L’Exèdre.
Exèdre has already organized such activities, but on a more ad hoc and spontaneous basis. “It was quite an impressive workload,” emphasizes Audrey Martel, bookseller at L’Exèdre.
During a professional trip to Belgium, where she met various experts in the field, she observed different practices.
I found out they were six months ahead on their calendar. I said to myself, “Oh yeah, that’s the problem.”
As soon as she got back, she got to work. By programming publications from Quebec publishers, she managed to put together a literary autumn.
“The authors and publications were selected to provide entertaining and interesting programs and to attract new readers,” says Audrey Martel.
The program includes authors such as Emmanuelle Pierrot, Frédérick Lavoie, Nathalie Plaat and Jérémie Mcewen.
The lectures are free and aim to promote literary discoveries. Reservations are not required: the bookstore states that it is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The bookseller received funding from the Ministry of Culture to set up the program and hopes to launch another program next winter.