An artist’s work is indicative of the type of person who made it, so I was only mildly surprised when Chuck Palahniuk appeared in front of the audience dressed like a barefoot Dumbledore in a shiny red robe, pajamas and a bejeweled scarf, telling us that if we didn’t blow up our beach balls he would berate us.

Palahniuk’s eccentric personality and twisted sense of humour translates into bestselling transgressive fiction. He has written 13 successful novels, two books of nonfiction, as well as a bizarre collection of short fiction.

Words are a connecting fibre among a plethora of art forms. In celebration of the artistic staple, WordFest: the Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival, is preparing for its 13th instalment. Organizers hope to present a variable buffet of word-centred art and continue to dispel some long-held myths about literature.

With WordFest on the horizon, author Samantha Warwick eagerly awaits her opportunity to enlighten and inspire young writers. She will soon join some of her peers at the Art Gallery of Calgary in an event dubbed "Alberta Bound," featuring Warwick, along with other popular Albertan authors, reading excerpts from their books and participating in some Q & A with the audience.