For pricing information, visit our ticket page.
“Regular onstage events” refer to those priced $20/$18 advance, $22/$20 festival.
TWS = TeensWrite! Master Class
WS = Writers’ Studio Master Class
WSS = Writers’ Studio Seminar
Upcoming Events
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1. Kingston Dinner Club
Instagram celebrity, food blogger, and chef Dennis Prescott presents a flavour-forward dining experience. A former touring musician, Dennis quit the road and taught himself to cook using library copies of Jamie Oliver. He not only learned to create food that’s full of flavour and plenty of panache, but also channelled his creativity into a new-found passion for food photography. With Executive Chef Brent McAllister of AquaTerra, Dennis creates a dinner that is gorgeous, mouth-watering, irresistible, edgy yet familiar, and delicious…
Find out more »2. Capturing Your Adventure in Word and Image – WSS
For Kevin Vallely, adventure photographer/writers work differently than nature photographers or writers, where it's about waiting for the perfect moment to come to you. For an adventure photographer/writer, it's all about being immersed in the unknown and being ready to capture the story when it jumps at you – sometimes literally. Kevin shares his images and answers your questions about writing in the wild, essential equipment, and how to protect camera gear, etc. Plan your own adventure expedition, or live vicariously through…
Find out more »3. Adam Gopnik’s New York City
Join Adam Gopnik, long-time contributor to The New Yorker magazine, as he shares a new memoir that brims with charming erudition, rich detail, and deep insight into the particular magic of New York City in the 1980s. Adam chats with the Globe and Mail's Books Editor Mark Medley about life in the Big Apple, from the moment Adam and soon-to-be wife Martha arrived from Montreal as wide-eyed newcomers, to now, and the eyes-wide-open, settled and savvy New Yorker he’s become. 8:00…
Find out more »4. The Other Side of the Conflict: WWII Fiction
Inspired by a true story, Amanda West Lewis’s new novel relates what life was like for a boy growing in World War II Germany. Her main character must navigate a difficult path between propaganda and truth, conscience and survival, as he struggles with poverty, loyalty, and duty. The novel sheds light on how indoctrination, propaganda, and insidious racism can undermine one’s basic sense of morality, and Amanda discusses the importance of remembering how young lives are affected on both sides of…
Find out more »5. Living on the Edge: Rowing the Northwest Passage
With three team members, adventure photographer/writer Kevin Vallely set out to be part of the first group to successfully traverse the Northwest Passage in a single season – in a rowboat. No sail. No motor. Plenty of courage. The goal was to raise awareness about climate change and to meet the Inuit elders who best know the land, the pack ice, and who have observed recent dramatic changes. Kevin shares the challenges, the feelings of fear and awe inspired by this…
Find out more »6. Writing Engaging Characters – TWS
Richard Scrimger helps you build characters from the top down and from the bottom up. Either way works, because characters always reflect their creator, and yet, whether dorks or bullies, they are also their own people, who may be very different from you. Richard explains how plot and character are linked – things happen around certain people because of the kind of person they are. You’ll do exercises together to build characters and make plots, which may involve shouting and…
Find out more »7. Differences and Similarities: YA Fiction
High school life for Janna, a Muslim student, and for Sidney, a Jewish student, has many challenges. Both characters face and learn to deal with personal anxieties, along with the tension between modern attitudes they see played out around them, and the traditional expectations that do not always reflect the reality of their lives. Together, novelists S.K. Ali and Leanne Lieberman talk with Shelley Tanaka about their characters’ unique perspectives on universal themes of identity, family, friendship, and sexuality. 11:00 am – 12:00…
Find out more »8. A Compassionate Career: Memoir
Craig Davidson takes us along for a ride – one experienced every day by the “special needs” kids who were part of his own growth and redemption – as he drives their school bus. “I thought I would just drive a bus of high school students and be a faceless driver to them. And it turned out to be completely different,” Davidson says. He shares his “life-changing and transformative year” and the characters he thanks for this – even though he…
Find out more »10. Storytelling Through Food Photography – WSS
Wildly popular food blogger and chef Dennis the Prescott (dennistheprescott.com) introduces you to the art of the story in images. Dennis believes that food photography presents a unique opportunity to tell your own story, your food philosophy, and your philosophy of image making, in one beautiful package. Carefully conceived and composed images are a kind of storytelling, and in this seminar, using his own sumptuous images, Dennis explains his own philosophy and story, and shows how you can too. Limited…
Find out more »9. Writing Poetry *SOLD OUT*
Northern Anishinaabe poet Armand Garnet Ruffo draws upon his own heritage to illustrate the poetry of place and memory, and explains why his own writing extends to stories, biography, and film-making that reflect his Ojibway heritage. In this poetry workshop, he shows you how to find and bring into the present the stories buried inside yourself – the “old” stories, whether personal stories, family stories, or community stories – with the goal of remaking them into powerful poetry. Limited enrolment…
Find out more »11. Susanna and Maud: Biography Meets Fiction
Award-winning author Cecily Ross brings to life Susanna Moodie, an iconic and intrepid early Canadian female writer. Melanie Fishbane’s debut novel is inspired by the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, famous worldwide for her creation of Canada’s most beloved fictional character, Anne of Green Gables. With Danika Lochhead, Cecily and Melanie share the challenges they encountered as they evoked the spirits of these well-known women and the times in which they lived and wrote, and together ponder the place of women in…
Find out more »12. Writing Difficult Topics -TWS
YA novelist and teacherLeanne Lieberman helps students come to grips with how to get over your own discomfort and write about subjects that may be considered sensitive, uncomfortable, or controversial. Her own novels have been praised for addressing such topics as the Palestinian–Israeli conflict, the Holocaust, and sexual identity, all of which she approaches with both a light touch and serious consideration. With discussion and short writing exercises, Leanne give student writers tools to find that balance when the writing…
Find out more »13. Observations on Nature: Memoir
Award-winning authors Helen Humphreys and Kyo Maclear are acute observers of things small and significant. Their newest books both have been likened to Helen Macdonald’s H is for Hawk, in their insights and their accomplished and beautiful prose, and in the way that their chosen subject is both personal and universal. Helen has turned her attention to the humble apple, and reflects upon the link between agriculture, settlement, and human relationships. Kyo applies what she learns as a newly fledged…
Find out more »14. International Marquee
Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist Michael Chabon joins veteran broadcaster Eric Friesen to talk about Michael’s latest, most luminous work, the auto-biographical novel, Moonglow. In a conversation that is sure to be elevated and erudite as well as entertaining, they explore the author’s playful flirtation with the boundary between fact and fiction. About the writing of this novel, The Guardian calls Chabon “a master at his very best.” Please join this master for an evening that will remind us of the…
Find out more »15. Pen and Pointe Shoes: The Story of Bronia Nijinska
Eva Stachniak shares her wondrous historical novel about the life of ballet great Bronia Nijinska, sister to the famous dancer Vladimir Nijinsky. With Cecily Ross, Eva talks about Bronia, her brother, and the many important creatives of their time whom they counted among their friends and artistic collaborators. Eva reveals her attraction to writing books about famous women, usually Polish by birth, with strong, complex characters who, despite the cultural and societal limitations of their gender and time, reached the…
Find out more »16. The Art of the Book: Calligraphy and Book Making – WS
Writer, visual artist, and calligrapher Amanda West Lewis offers a different kind of writing workshop, one that gives you a physical connection to writing and draws out your sense of the book as a tangible object, a source of pleasure, and a thing of beauty. And you’ll get the basics of the beautiful art of calligraphy. Come prepared to be creative and hands-on! No experience needed. Need paper, pens, or other supplies? Minotaur Games & Gifts will have items available…
Find out more »17. Paths to Understanding – Indigenous Women Write
Author and radio journalist Rosanna Deerchild, a member of O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation, author Lee Maracle, a member of the Stó:lō Nation, daughter of a Métis mother and Salish father, author and activist Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, a Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg and member of Alderville First Nation and of Idle No More, join moderator Terri-Lynn Brennan, whose roots are in the Mohawk Nation. Together, they talk about their work, and the importance of contemporary Indigenous women’s literature in knowledge-making and sharing, reflecting…
Find out more »18. Book Lovers’ Lunch
How could we not bring Ben McNally, of Toronto’s Ben McNally Books, back to Kingston to present his latest installation of “Preview Picks?” With over 40 years of recommending books to discerning customers, Ben is a master. In our popular BookLovers’ Lunch, he never fails to charm and illuminate with anecdotes from the world of Canadian publishing and hot tips on the best new books. Bring a notepad and create this year’s book club list! Ticket price includes lunch. Lunch Menu:…
Find out more »19. Fictionalizing Famous Figures – WS
Master storyteller Eva Stachniak shows you how to capture that famous historical figure (or your great great grandmother) by creating a voice that rings true. She’ll discuss how much to depend on archival evidence, where to look for relevant historical details to bring your character to life, and how not to get bogged down by research. Drawing from favourite historical fiction writers and her own writing experience, she shares tips and techniques for creating a fully fleshed fictional version of…
Find out more »20. Marketing Lessons
Award-winning advertising expert and CBC marketing guru Terry O'Reilly shares a lifetime of marketing wisdom tailored to the little guys, ways they can compete with the big guys for their customers’ attention. Terry delivers tried-and-true strategies and best practices for marketing your goods or services. They’ll serve you well, whether your budget is big, small, or almost non-existent. He helps you use your available dollars to build on your business relationships, and to turn your efforts into great results. Event sponsor:St.…
Find out more »21. Writing the First Page – WS
When browsing a bookstore, how many readers set aside a book after the first page? Agents and editors can be just as tough. But the good news is that they will all read the first page. Merilyn Simonds teaches you to craft an opening that plunges your readers irresistibly into your story. You’ll look at first lines, first paragraphs, and first pages in a variety of genres, analyzing how they achieve their effects and developing the tools to assess your own first…
Find out more »22. Poetry Reading and Art Show *FREE*
Five of Kingston’s finest poets gather to read at the fabulous Elm Café. Join Michael Casteels, Sadiqa de Meijer, Steve Heighton, Helen Humphreys, and Sarah Tsiang for this celebration of the written word spoken and turned visual, accompanied by delicious nibbles and beverages. Art exhibition: a display of the poets' work designed and printed by Kingston graphic designer Vincent Perez. Reception by Elm Café. A co-presentation of Kingston WritersFest and Skeleton Park Arts 3:00 – 5:00 pm Elm Café, 303 Montreal Street FREE EVENT for…
Find out more »23. A Bride, a Groom, and a Lover: Mystery and Moral Malaise in Victorian Canada
Join Kingston author Ray Argyle as he and author Lawrence Scanlan chat about Ray’s newest book, a novel based on a true story. Set in rural Ontario, with elements of crime, mystery, and passion, it has been described as a “combination courtroom drama, murder mystery, and a meditation on the moral malaise of Victorian Canada.” Ray delves into the striking social and cultural changes of the time, and talks about class differences and religious and racial prejudices that strike a…
Find out more »24. Freedom Seekers – the African Experience in North America
GG Award-winning authors both, biographer Karoyln Smardz-Frost and novelist Linda Spalding bring to life the extraordinary experiences of freedom seekers and those on both sides of the border who aided African refugees from the US. Danger and difficulty tested the courage and beliefs of both. Anita Jack-Davies leads a discussion of the inherent drama of the freedom seekers’ story, whether true or fictional, why this story has been mostly excluded from our literary tradition, and asks Karolyn and Linda how they see themselves,…
Find out more »25. Reading Men: Books (and Beer!)
Join Linden MacIntyre, Steven Heighton, and Pasha Malla in a cold one, as these accomplished, award-winning writers share a relaxed, unmoderated conversation about their books and their protagonists, and hash out their thoughts on contemporary masculinity; fathers and sons, and the difficulty of mourning a father’s death; one’s problematic connection to ancestral lands; how the past inevitably shadows the present; and the challenges of pulling all of this together into a compelling, poignant, and even thrilling story. Cash bar 8:30 – 10:00 pm…
Find out more »26. Café Noir: Death at Dowbiggen
John Farrow (aka Trevor Ferguson) regales us with his newest dark thriller, which includes a murdered New Hampshire co-ed, a letter, and a spy. The investigation is hampered stateside by the fury of nature and internecine wars between police departments, and it’s time for retired Montreal detective Émile Cinq-Mars to insert himself discreetly into the investigation. Join John and Barbara Bell as they talk about how he builds a plot worthy of his detective’s chops, and sufficiently thrilling, puzzling, and complex…
Find out more »27. Historical Research from Old Sources – WS
Although they can be challenging to find, accurate historical details from primary sources give your story or nonfiction piece credibility and contribute to your readers’ trust. Governor General’s Award winner, historian Karolyn Smardz-Frost, teaches you a methodology for how to locate and receive access to public records, archives, and personal collections that help you write accurately about traditions, customs, laws, demographics, and other details that will pinpoint a time and place for your character or subject and allow them to…
Find out more »28. Jimmy & James / Past & Present: Historical Fiction
In the most recent example of her beautifully written, audacious, and deeply inventive work, Kathleen Winter presents two characters in one, General James Wolfe, known to most Canadian school-children as the “Conqueror of Canada”, and Jimmy, a homeless ex-soldier with PTSD in present-day Montreal. Jimmy bears more than a passing resemblance to Wolfe, who died in 1759. Join Kathleen and biographer/historian Charlotte Gray as they interrogate Kathleen’s copious research and discuss how she arrived at this striking approach to depicting anew this…
Find out more »00. Project Bookmark Unveiling *FREE*
Project Bookmark Canada, the City of Kingston, and Kingston WritersFest celebrate Merilyn Simonds’ classic literary work, The Convict Lover, with the unveiling of the city’s second Bookmark. Kingston WritersFest is proud to include the ceremony as one of this year’s Festival events. Join Laurie Murphy, executive director of Project Bookmark Canada, at the site in Garrigan Park as she unveils the commemorative Bookmark. Afterwards, take a literary tour of Portsmouth Village with Merilyn. 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Literary Tour…
Find out more »30. Writing Dialogue – WS
Dialogue can be daunting. Join award-winning author Pasha Malla in this hands-on workshop on how to write dialogue that evokes character, and that resonates with truth of voice. Pasha takes you through the dialogue in the classic short story “Gaston” by novelist and playwright William Saroyan, and talks about the tools used by the author, and their effects. Then he’ll work with the class to write a scene, employing what you’ve learned. Limited enrolment 12:00 – 2:30 pm Sir John…
Find out more »29. Finding Truth in Fair Verona: Juliet, Shakespeare, and Love
Not many men would volunteer to travel abroad to become one of Juliet’s secretaries, but author Glenn Dixon does just that, in the name of research and in a quest for understanding the elusive truth of heartbreak and healing. As he learns about himself and about the real story of Romeo and Juliet, he discovers extraordinary and unexpected truths about love. Join Glenn andBen McNally in this conversation about broken hearts, the Bard, and the beautiful tradition of Juliet’s wall of…
Find out more »31. Present Imperfect: Speculative Fiction
Award-winning screenwriter-turned-novelist Elan Mastai sends us to an alternate world, a thrilling techno-utopian paradise where flying cars and robot maids are a reality, then challenges us to ask ourselves if that reality really is better than our own, and whether we really will want the futures we now imagine. With Kingston Canadian Film Festival director Marc Garniss, Elan talks about the mechanics of time travel and the complications that can arise, the experience of adapting his own novel for screen, and…
Find out more »32. Canadians Less Ordinary, In Word and Image
What makes a great Canadian? Join award-winning authors Charlotte Gray and Lawrence Scanlan as they discuss the extraordinary people featured in their books. Tommy Douglas, Emily Carr, Jean Béliveau, Chris Hadfield, Elijah Harper, and others have made lasting contributions to our Canadian cultural identity. Who do you choose to include? What about unsung heroes? Alicia Boutilier, curator of Canadian historical art at Agnes Etherington Art Centre, moderates the conversation and shares visual examples of how portraiture can also commemorate, comment upon, and…
Find out more »33. Writing Good Sexy – WS
Short of segueing directly to the aftermath, how do you write sex scenes that avoid cliché, pretension, coyness, or awkwardness? Award-winning author Karen Connelly leads you past internal or external barriers to write beautiful, funny, powerful sex scenes. She explains how to treat your characters as subjects in action, rather than objects being acted upon. Bring your notebooks, because Karen provides tips on how to round the scene by writing convincing physical description and sensory detail, and gives you short…
Find out more »34. The Big Idea – Despair and Hope: Finding Refuge in Canada
Join moderator Charles Foran for a penetrating conversation with award-winning journalists and authors Carol Off and Doug Saunders, and debut novelist Danny Ramadan, about nations at war, the refugee experience of danger, displacement, disintegration, and intolerance, and the experience of those who try to help. They’ll discuss Canada’s track record of assistance and welcome, particularly in comparison with the US, Britain, and EU countries. Can we, and should we, do more to help? Guests of honour: Jamal Saeed, Rufaida Alakhabaz, Ray Argyle,…
Find out more »35. Saturday Night SpeakEasy
Join us for an entertaining evening of poetry and prose, with a live set to open by our house band, Trio Without Words. Local saxophone virtuoso Jonathan Stewart, bassist Mike Perlin, and drummer Michael Cassells create a unique soundscape for each of these stellar literary performances by Michelle Berry, Janie Chang, Karen Connelly, Glenn Dixon, Pierre-Luc Landry, Jennifer LoveGrove, Diane Schoemperlen, and Anna Porter. Hosted by CBC radio host and author Bill Richardson, with his customary panache, and a potato. Cash bar Event Sponsor: Fancy That Doors…
Find out more »36. Paper, Pen, and Pixels: Memoir
AuthorMerilyn Simonds shares stories that span 40 years from her new memoir, and talks about her ongoing love affair with books, reading, and writing. With author Diane Schoemperlen she explores the nature of innovation, the past and present significance of books as tangible objects, and the future of the thing that is a book. Merilyn reflects on how human communication has changed over centuries, and how it might be expected to change in the future. 9:00 – 10:00 am Islandview
Find out more »37. Adapting Your Novel for Screen – WS
Five of Elan Mastai’s screenplays have been made into films, most recently “What If – a.k.a. The F Word”, which won the Canadian Academy Award and the Writers Guild of Canada Award for best screenplay. He’s also adapted his own first novel for screen. Elan gives you the nuts and bolts of compressing a novel into a different format and shorter length, and how to transition exposition into directions, how to cut supporting characters and subplots, finding the key dialogue…
Find out more »38. Compound Sorrows and a Touch of Magic: Chinese Historical Fiction
Janie Chang spins a richly textured tale of a thrice-unfortunate girl – the illegitimate Eurasian daughter of a Chinese concubine – who navigates the complexities and intrigues of early twentieth-century Shanghai as the ancient imperial dynasty is collapsing. Jialing learns to rely on her own intelligence, resilience, courage, with help from a surprising spirit ally, to find purpose, to thrive, and to find belonging. Join Janie and Barbara Bell as they delve into Janie’s insights on race, identity, women’s struggle for agency,…
Find out more »39. Broken Prisons: Thirty Years in Canada’s Prison Service
Robert Clark, a three-decade veteran of Corrections Canada, believed he had something to offer prisoners. This belief was crushed as he climbed to the position of deputy warden and suffered a crisis of conscience that took its toll on his health and happiness, and in the end, wouldn’t be silenced. Robert’s stories of institutional neglect, secret-keeping, and downright cruelty, call into question Canada’s current punishment paradigm. Addressing the question of whether the country’s prison system needs reform, Robert tells it like…
Find out more »40. Vimy: Remembrance and National Identity
Join historian Tim Cook and Queen’s University HistorianDuncan McDowall as they talk about this legendary battle and its place in the Canadian national consciousness. How did Vimy, relatively insignificant in terms of the overall campaign, become enshrined in the nation's self-identity? What part did imperialism, politics, or economics play? And how do we make sense of the enormous psychic toll on Canadians who fought there? As a symbol, Vimy allows us to talk about our history, the stories we tell about ourselves,…
Find out more »41. Nailing it: Define Your Character from the Opening Chapter – WS
NovelistMichelle Berry gives useful pointers about the fundamentals of a good opening chapter, and then moves on to how to explain how to develop great characters that leap off the page. She’ll assign a fun exercise: participants interview one another (questions will be provided) and then create an opening scene with a character that is based on the person you interviewed and in which you incorporate what you learned at the start of the class about openings. Come prepared to participate…
Find out more »42. Author! Author!
Forensic anthropologist and academic by day, prolific writer by night, American author Kathy Reichs has delivered a brilliant forensic crime series, featuring Temperance Brennan, that spans two decades and exceeds two dozen works of fiction. With Eric Friesen, Kathy reflects on her two careers and shares how it feels to say goodbye to Temperance as she launches her newest fictional creation, Sunday Night, a smart, tough, and talented heroine whose thirst for justice stems from her own dark past. This is a don’t-miss…
Find out more »43. Viva Voce: Discovery *FREE*
Kingston WritersFest and Juvenis Arts Festival celebrate young literary talent in a lively hour of spoken-word poetry, as promising young local writers, aged 13–30, perform a curated selection of original pieces. This event gives you a chance to discover young Kingston talent currently in development. Join us outdoors in the garden, where you can enjoy the fresh air, pull up a seat, and prepare to be wowed. Admission is free to all ages. A co-presentation of Kingston WritersFest and Juvenis…
Find out more »45. New Writer’s Roundtable WSS
Veteran editor Patrick Crean leads this roundtable, open to all writers, beginners or published, to discuss strategies to get your work published. What do editors look for? What are the differences between over-the-transom and solicited submissions? How do you find the right publisher for your kind of work? What do you need to know about submitting your manuscript? Patrick also opens it up for discussion, and encourages free-flowing conversation to encourage you to engage with other members of the writing…
Find out more »44. Wine, Women, and Words
Picture a comfy living room get-together with the smartest women you know. Now, imagine that you’re there as they sip wine, dip into their latest books, and discuss the issues that drive their creativity. In the way of conversations amongst women, the topics flow seamlessly from the weighty to the quotidian, from the deeply personal to the global, and run the gamut from culture, history, family, identity, to beauty, trauma, depression, and sexuality. Join superb novelists and poets Karen Connelly, Leanne Dunic, Jennifer…
Find out more »46. The New Farm: Food, People, Planet
Brent Preston and his partner left Toronto and purchased acreage in southwestern Ontario. Their goal? To feed their family quality organic food, paying their way, and restoring land that had suffered decades of industrial farm practice. Brent talks about their ten-year learning curve, and how, along the way, he realized he needed to include not only those who can afford organic foods, but those less fortunate who need it most. With Chef Brent McAllister (AquaTerra), Brent demonstrates the superiority of…
Find out more »47. Robertson Davies Lecture
An Officer of The Order of Canada, Anna Porter is one of Canada’s most respected publishing professionals, and is co-founder of Key Porter Books. She is also an award-winning writer of both fiction and nonfiction, and this year releases The Appraisal, a thriller with literary chops. Anna knows the world of books: she has advised and spoken on writing, editing, book production, and other aspects of the business. Born in Budapest, Hungary, she understands first-hand the immigrant experience. As 2017 Robertson Davies…
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