– 38 Canadian Writing Conferences and Literary Festivals in 2019 –
I love attending Canadian writing conferences and literary festivals.
Every time I attend one, I feel like I’ve found my people. You know those people, right? They’re the ones who get excited at the smell of printing presses, they know every different kind of book-light available, and you often find them reading on the floor of bookstores and libraries (i.e. their natural habitat).
If this sounds like your tribe too, then checkout these 37 Canadian writing conferences and literary festivals.
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1. Writers Workshop at the University of Guelph
March 2, 2019
University of Guelph, McLaughlin Library, 3rd Floor
Cost: Free
“This two-day event is designed to provide hands-on practical tips and instruction for a wide variety of writing interests and needs. From creative writing to non-fiction, publishing to scientific journals, you’ll find it here.”
2. Growing Room: A Feminist Literary Festival
March 8-17, 2019
Various locations, Vancouver BC
Cost: Pay what you can/donation
“Growing Room: A Feminist Literary Festival is Room magazine’s annual literary festival, a celebration of diverse Canadian writers and artists.”
3. grit LIT
April 11-14, 2019
Hamilton, Ontario
Cost: $50 to $60
“gritLIT brings together diverse voices – the biggest Canadian authors, up and coming talent, and local Hamilton writers – in a series of readings and themed events.”
4. The New West Festival of Words
April 26 – 27, 2019
New Westminster, BC
Cost: Free to $30
“Be entertained, stimulate your own creativity, and meet new people.”
5. Frye Festival
April 27 – May 4, 2019
Greater Moncton, New Brunswick
Cost: Free
“The Frye Festival is Canada’s only bilingual international literary festival and the largest literary event in Atlantic Canada.”
6. The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD)
May 2, 2019
Brampton, Ontario
Cost: Not Specified
“Our mission is to create a vibrant community of readers and writers by celebrating diverse authors and literature in Brampton, Ontario – one of Canada’s most culturally diverse cities.”
7. Blue Metropolis Festival
May 2-5, 2019
Montreal, Quebec
Cost: $25 to $60
“Brings together people from different cultures to share the pleasures of reading and writing, and encourages creativity and intercultural understanding.”
8. The Ottawa International Writers Festival
May 2-7, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: $15 to $85
“The imagination is our most valuable renewable resource. So, twice a year we convene an international celebration of ideas to recharge our imaginations.”
9. CanWrite! 2019
May 16-19, 2019
Vancouver, British Columbia
Cost: $275 to $425
“The Canadian Authors CanWrite! conference is a vibrant gathering that offers writers opportunities to learn, network, pitch, connect, and celebrate.”
10. Wakefield Writers Festival
May 23-26, 2019
Wakefield, Quebec
Cost: $10 to $20
“Writers Fete is one of the most anticipated cultural and literary events in the region. We work purposefully to build a linguistically diverse program that showcases local and national francophone, anglophone, ethnic and indigenous literary talent.”
11. Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story
May 24-26, 2019
Wingham, Ontario
Cost: Not Specified
“Our mission is to nurture emerging writers and to celebrate short stories in the landscape that inspired Alice Munro.”
12. Northwords Writers Festival
May 30-June 2, 2019
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Cost: Not specified
“Throughout this 4-day festival, participants, writers, visiting authors and community members will be able to take part in several events, workshops, and panels. ”
13. CCWWP Conference 2019 – “Language and Land: Writing and Teaching Towards a Community of Care”
June 13-16, 2019
Peterborough, Ontario
Cost: Not Specified
“Writers. Teachers. Artists. Elders. Community activists. Human beings. What are the implications and interconnections of these roles?”
14. Windsor International Writers Conference
2019 Date TBA (Took place in July 2018)
Windsor, Ontario
Cost: $395 to $600
“For new and established writers …with our experts you will be able to take your writing career to a more professional level. ”
15. Read by the Sea Literary Festival
2019 Date TBA (Took place in July 2018)
River John, Nova Scotia
Cost: Free
“A local, rural literary festival… to promote and foster appreciation for outstanding Canadian writing and literature.”
16. Elephant Mountain Literary Festival
July 11-14, 2019
Nelson, British Columbia
Cost: $10 to $75
“We’re a big-hearted event in a small-town setting: a readers’ and writers’ festival named for the mountain that overlooks beautiful Nelson, British Columbia.”
17. Lakefield Literary Festival
July 12-14, 2019
Lakefield Ontario
Cost: $0
“The Lakefield Literary Festival showcases Canadian authors and promotes the joy of reading and writing among children and adults.”
18. Festival of Words
July 18-21, 2019
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Cost: $10 to $200
“The festival showcases literary talent from all over Canada including many award winners. Over the 4 days of the festival we have workshops for all ages, reading sessions, concerts, film, panel discussions, interviews, music, theatre, and even a slam poetry competition!”
19. Romancing the Capital
August 1-3, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: $25 to $55
“Swag, Prizes, Fun Events, Interesting Panels, A Book Signing, along with plenty of smiles and laughter!”
20. When Words Collide
August 9-11, 2019
Calgary, Alberta
Cost: $55
“A festival for readers, writers, artists and publishers of commercial and literary fiction, including genre, YA, Childrens’ books, and Poetry.”
21. Writers at Woody Point
August 13-18, 2019
Woody Point, Newfoundland
Cost: $10 to $40
“Our 2018 festival features an amazing group of writers from Newfoundland, the rest of Canada, and abroad.”
22. Wild Threads Writing Symposium
August 22-25, 2019
Prince Edward Island
Cost: TBD
“Wild Threads is the place and space to explore the more that’s out there for you on the page.”
23. Eden Mills Writers Festival
September 6-8, 2019
Banks of the Eramosa River, Eden Mills, Ontario
Cost: $5 to $25
“Audiences of several thousand now come to the Festival each year from near and far to enjoy the unique mix of bucolic surroundings, great literature, and relaxed ambiance.”
24. Thin Air: Winnipeg International Writers Festival
September 20-28, 2019
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Cost: TBD
“Each September, the Winnipeg International Writers Festival welcomes writers from Canada and around the world for a week of readings, lectures, interviews, conversations, book launches, and other events.”
25. The Word on the Street
September 21-22, 2019
Toronto, Ontario
Cost: Free
“Each September, the public is invited to participate in hundreds of author events, presentations, workshops, and to browse a marketplace that boasts the best selection of Canadian books and magazines you’ll find anywhere.”
26. Kingston Writers Festival
September 25-29, 2019
Kingston, Ontario
Cost: $60 to $180
“Through readings, performance, onstage discussion and master classes, Kingston WritersFest fosters intellectual and emotional growth on a personal and community level and raises the profile of reading and literary expression in our community.”
27. LiterASIAN Writers Festival
September 28-29, 2019
Toronto, Ontario
Cost: $25
“The first of its kind within Canada, the festival’s purpose is to promote and celebrate the works of Asian Canadian writers and artists…”
28. Cabot Trail Writers Festival
October 4-6, 2019
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Cost: $20 to $140
“Join fellow book-lovers for an event-packed weekend of laughter and up-close conversation with your favourite authors.”
29. Wordfest
October 16-23, 2019
Calgary, Alberta
Cost: $500/platinum
“Wordfest sparks lively, illuminating and meaningful conversations between Calgary’s readers and the world’s most engaging writers.”
30. Whistler Writers Festival
October 17-20, 2019
Whistler, British Columbia
Cost: TBD
“From its inception the group has promoted the literary arts, provided a forum for local writers to develop their craft within the community, and sponsored literary events for readers and writers alike…”
31. Stratford Writers Festival
October 18-27, 2019
Stratford, Ontario
Cost: $25
“Featuring award-winning international and Canadian authors, emerging Canadian and local writers.”
32. Vancouver Writers Fest
October 21-27, 2019
Granville Island, Vancouver, British Columbia
Cost: TBD
“Words shape our worlds. They can delight, inspire, provoke, comfort and unite—as do the authors, journalists and poets who wield them.”
33. The Ottawa International Writers Festival
October 24-29, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: $15 to $85
“From politics to poetry, science to music, history to thrillers, we celebrate the full diversity of the word and the gifted writers who guide us in our exploration of the world.”
34. International Festival of Authors
October 24 – November 3, 2019
Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Cost: Free to $30
“Engage with the literature of our times, explore the world of books and get acquainted with the authors and their ideas… this Toronto writers conference 2018 is packed with readings, one-on-one interviews, thought-provoking panel discussions, special events and free book signings.”
35. Surrey International Writers Conference
October 25-27, 2019
Surrey, British Columbia
Cost: $75 to $649
“From beginning writer to widely published, this is the place to hone your skills, learn more about markets and network future sales.”
36. Appetite for Words
October 25-27, 2019
Stratford, Ontario
Cost: $40 to $75 per literary meal
“A literary festival with a culinary twist.”
37. Bookfest Windsor
2019 Date TBA (Took place in October 2018)
Capitol Theatre, Windsor, Ontario
Cost: $5 to $40
“We provide book lovers with awesome literary experiences and give readers an up-close-and personal connection to their new and forever favourite books and stories.”
38. Wild Writers Festival
2019 Date TBA (Took place in November 2018)
67 Erb St. West, Waterloo, Ontario
Cost $15 to $135
“Join us for a celebration of the savage and free and its expression in poetry, the short story, and everything in between. Create, learn, discover and share the art of groundbreaking writing.”
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If you like Canadian Writing Conferences and Literary Festivals, you may also like these 6 facilitated writing retreats in Canada.
*This list of Canadian writing conferences and literary festivals (Writing Conferences 2019 Canada) will be updated as information becomes available.
*Did I miss any Canadian writing conferences or literary festivals? Let me know at kat@dreamerswriting.com.
*Writing Conferences 2019 Canada was last updated on June 21, 2019.
