TORONTO - Acclaimed Canadian author Alice Munro was set to kick off the 10-day International Festival of Authors in Toronto Wednesday with a rare public appearance.
Munro was to speak at a sold-out event with fellow writer Diana Athill.
Munro is promoting a new short story collection entitled "Too Much Happiness," which she will be signing at the end of the event.
In May, Munro was named the third recipient of the Man Booker International Prize, which is awarded every other year in recognition of an author's lifetime achievement.
Nearly 180 authors are appearing at the festival, including Margaret Atwood and imported literary heavyweights such as John Irving and Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk.
This year, the festival has a special program featuring Scottish authors, following up on last year's focus on Irish literature.
For the first time, the festival is also expanding beyond the borders of Toronto and is sending authors to readings in Uxbridge, Burlington, Parry Sound, Midland, Barrie and Orillia.
