Celebrate the Literary with us!

There’s so much to see and do as we celebrate our 10th Annual Festival.

Download our 2018 Program Guide, or pick up a print copy at Novel Idea Books, the Kingston Grand Theatre, the Tourist Information Booth, and various local libraries and establishments. 

Look for our special Celebrate the Literary events, and join the fun! Tickets are on sale now! Visit our Events page for full ticket pricing information, to view the program, and make your selections.

We are thrilled to welcome nearly 70 authors, moderators, and performers to the 2018 Festival. Visit our Authors page for full bios, and to discover their events!

Check out our Visitors Guide for a few of our favourite places to eat, sleep and explore!

Justin Connidis

A career in law and business, including many years practising mergers, acquisitions and finance law on Bay Street, co-founding ClubLink Corporation, being involved with community groups, including MiningWatch Canada, Wintergreen Studios, The Kingston Prize Association and Pro Bono Law Students Canada, and teaching at Queen’s. One of the great things about returning to Kingston is Kingston WritersFest. Being able to spend time with favourite authors and to be introduced to new ones in the few intense days of WritersFest each September is  a unique opportunity KWF brings to all. Reading is the best way to have fun while learning. Kingston WritersFest is the best way to broaden one’s reading horizons.

Dr. Anita Jack-Davies

Anita is an academic and cross-cultural expert who specializes in examining issues of equity, diversity and inclusion as they impact the changing Canadian workplace. She is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Queen’s University and founder of Mosaic Cross-Cultural Solutions. Anita describes herself as a “new writer”. She is interested in exploring auto/ethnography, auto/biography and memoir as writing forms. Anita is excited to share in this year’s 10^th Anniversary as the event enables budding writers to connect with more seasoned authors.

Barb Linds

Barb has been involved in Kingston arts and culture since moving to Yarker from Toronto in 2007. She is currently a Theatre Kingston board member, and serves as the cultural liaison on the PeaceQuest steering committee. Past board and committee involvement include the Thousand Islands Playhouse, the Tett Centre, Writers & Friends, and the Advocacy Committee at the Kingston Arts Council

Julia L. McArthur

I like to read. Books expand the bounds of time and space. You can be on fire watch at St. Paul’s in the Blitz, hanging out with the Durrell’s in 1930s Corfu, or empathizing with an Elizabethan knight about to get his loan called in. Books can provide a refuge from pain or grief or they can create another space in which to face these entities and make peace with them. Books make the world better.

It was a beautiful day in the county, full of fine wine, great eats, and of course, great reads. Thanks to authors Helen Humphreys and Sarah Selecky, our guide Ian Nicholls, and to all of our lovely guests. If you missed out, here’s a little taste of the tour.