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Writers at Woody Point is firmly rooted in Newfoundland literature, attracting both writers from abroad and those nurtured here at home. During the festival, writers and musicians connect with their audience in intimate venues, over dinner and drinks, or on a hike into the pristine hills, and soak up the area's own creative talent at exhibits of art and crafts, musical performances and impromptu after-hours celebrations that combine jam sessions, dancing and lots of laughter.

Our Hosts

Shelagh Rogers

Shelagh Rogers is very lucky to have known Alison Gzowski and Stephen Brunt for decades. 20 years ago, they were looking for an emcee for a gathering of Newfoundland writers and musicians in Woody Point. They asked Shelagh and she took to the idea. And has for 20 years.

The very first author on the very first edition of The Next Chapter, the CBC Radio program Shelagh hosted and co-produced for 15 years, was Donna Morrissey. Donna was launching her fourth novel “What They Wanted” at the very first Writers at Woody Point festival. She and Shelagh recorded a conversation about the novel where the story is set: Donna’s hometown of The Beaches on the Northern Peninsula. That conversation was a lively and lovely launch for the program.

The Next Chapter has fed like a vampire on the writers appearing at here at the festival. After 43 years, Shelagh has stepped down from CBC Radio. But the writers and musicians at Woody Point continue to feed her soul.

Angela Antle

Angela Antle is a PhD candidate at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of Norway’s Empowered Futures 2023 cohort. A writer and former CBC producer, her work has been recognized by The New York Festivals, The Gabriel and Gracie Allen Awards, The Atlantic Journalism Awards, The Nickel, Berlinale, Dublin and Wexford Film Festivals. Her first novel will be published by Breakwater Books in 2025.

Tom Power

Tom Power is an award-winning musician and broadcaster, rarely seen without an instrument or microphone nearby. He blends a warm curiosity and playful wit to cover the arts, music and entertainment stories you're talking about, and the ones that are too interesting not to share.

Tom started his career in his hometown of St. John's, N.L., studying folklore by day and "gigging" (read: performing music) in pubs at night. He recorded his earliest interviews during those years, travelling around the region with a microphone to collect oral histories from his fellow Newfoundlanders.

He made his radio debut programming bluegrass music for a college radio show, wryly named Do-Si-DON'T. Tom quickly moved on to become a news announcer for a local radio station and, in 2008, joined CBC Radio as the host of the national folk music program DEEP ROOTS. Three years later, Tom shifted into the host chair of RADIO 2MORNING, CBC Radio's biggest national music show. He also became a trusted guest host on q and AS IT HAPPENS. Tom became the host of q in October 2016. Off the air, Tom fronts the folk-rock band The Dardanelles — known for drawing new audiences around the world to traditional Newfoundland music. He's also a member of the Polaris Music Prize jury, and has hosted and performed at major music festivals in Canada.

What’s it like to experience Writers at Woody Point? Checkout our wrap-up video from the 2023 festival.

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