In its third year as a professional literary festival, Kingston WritersFest brings more than 60 nationally and internationally renowned writers to the city for four days of provocative, inspiring, and delightful events for readers of every age and taste.
Mystery, politics, science-fiction, memoir, kidlit, fantasy, poetry, social issues, graphica, novels, and short stories — Kingston WritersFest includes a wide range of programming, featuring writers from across the sea, across the country, and across the street. As well as onstage readings and discussions, the festival offers cross-genre performances, including, this year, a dramatic musical presentation of a John Farrow crime novel — not to be missed!
A festival for readers, a festival for writers. In The Writers Studio, emerging and established writers can brush up on points of craft, delivered by writers at the top of their game. Master classes this year include Writing Suspense with Andrew Pyper, Writing the Future with Robert J. Sawyer, Writing History with Ken McGoogan, Writing Another's Life with Merrily Weisbord, Writing for Young Readers with Robert Paul Weston, Writing Collage with Diane Schoemperlen, What Do Publishers Want with Sarah MacLachlan, publisher at House of Anansi, and many others.
The festival includes three free events: Kingston Reads: Battle of the Books, the perennially favourite debate between 10 local celebrities to choose the best of this year's Evergreen Award nominees. And we are delighted to host two book launches: Dogs Don't Eat Jam, which includes a book-making lesson for young children, and Uncommon Magic, with readings by members of the Ban Righ Writers Group. For information on free events, see the WritersFest event schedule on the Kingston WritersFest website.
The Kingston WritersFest website also has information on pricing for tickets and passes.
Tickets are available in advance from the Grand Theatre Box Office and online through the Grand's website. During the event, tickets will be available at the Festival Box Office onsite at the Holiday Inn Waterfront, Sixth Floor. Tickets for food events must be purchased by September 15.
