by JULIET WATERS

Before anyone sets out for Blue Metropolis, remember: the usual state of writers is solitude, so the writers’ festival will always be something of an oxymoron. Still, in eight years Blue Met has grown from an over-ambitious, somewhat unfocused conference to something closer to a party. If there was one successful formula that Blue Met got right from the beginning, it was creating a forum where writers get to do more talking than reading. And over the years festival organizers have learned a thing or two about how to increase the odds of an energetic panel and an entertaining interview.

It never hurts, however, to have some pointers going in. First and foremost for Blue Met 2006, expect all events hosted by Eleanor Wachtel to sell out fast. Blue Met is pretty much a live version of Wachtel’s seminal Sunday afternoon radio show Writers and Company. In general it’s a good idea to get tickets early to anything listed as a CBC Blue event, no matter who the interviewer. The good news, if you don’t procure a ticket, is that these events will be broadcast on the CBC during the year.

One worth buying early: Wachtel’s interview with Ruth Reichl on Friday night. Even if you’re not a foodie, the editor of Gourmet magazine is a great interview. Charming, totally down to earth, Reichl credits her years in Montreal (after her bipolar mother stuck her in College Marie France on a whim) with awakening her love of food. If you can’t get a ticket, Reichl will be on a panel earlier in the week interviewed by Paul Kennedy, but that should be a second choice.

The steep ticket price ($25) for Nobel prize winner Derek Walcott may keep attendance down, but don’t count on it. Another good investment is Wachtel’s panel with three Russian writers living in the West and brilliant Scottish writer James Meek, whose latest novel is set there. As a testament to the level of intellect, the event will be repeated in French with interviewer Mikhail Iossel. Meek, best known for his novel, The People’s Act of Love, will also be interviewed one-on-one by Paul Kennedy at a separate event.

People looking for more action might want to consider one of the first events of the festival on Wednesday night, the Book Slam@Divan Orange. U.K. novelist and hip hop writer Patrick Neate re-works his popular London event Book Slam@Cherry Jam, for our city. The slam takes place at Divan Orange (4234 St-Laurent).

Outside of the CBC events, worth risking is a one-on-one interview with David Bezmozgis. One of the hottest and best young writers in Canada, Bezmozgis was recently included in Best American Short Stories. Be forewarned, however that he’s something of a curmudgeon and a difficult interview. Who better for that job than Joel Yanofsy, author of Mordecai & Me, a book devoted to the difficult literary interview. I wouldn’t miss this for the world, but if you’re more curious about his writing, Bezmozgis will also be reading on a panel with British writer Tim Parks and Cuban writer José Carlos Somoza. Yanofsky will also be moderating a panel on writing comedy with Lynn Coady, Drew Hayden Taylor, David McGimpsey and Morris Panych. Science Writing with noted science writers Wayne Grady and Jay Ingram sounds like a stimulating discussion and a safe bet. If, however, you speak Spanish and play soccer it may be hard to pass up: Gol Azul—Futbol Y Literatura, which runs at the same time.

But these are just suggestions. Pick up a program, take a risk on a panel, a workshop or a book launch. Arrange to meet friends and eavesdrop at the hotel bar. Or go by yourself. This is one place where alone is often considered the best way to be.

Blue Metropolis runs from April 5–9 at the Hyatt Regency (Ste-Catherine & Jeanne-Mance). For more info visit www.metropolisbleu.org