How To Make the Most of MOTIVE

With the countdown on for the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, taking place June 7–9, the team here at the Toronto International Festival of Authors is busy preparing for all the authors, moderators and audiences that will be joining us at Harbourfront Centre. With criminally good conversations, fan-favourite screenings, expert-led masterclasses and hands-on workshops, there will be lots to see and do.

To help with the information overload, we have put together a guide with everything you need to make the most of the weekend.

Experience MOTIVE Your Way with the Right Pass

A MOTIVE Pass is your ticket to explore as much of the Festival as you wish… come for one day or join for all three! You can choose the duration that suits you best:

The Friday Pass gets you into MOTIVE’s opening night conversation with Walter Mosley. Plus, you can add on a copy of Walter Mosley’s Farewell, Amethystine for $35 (tax incl.) when you purchase a Friday Pass.

The Saturday Pass gets you access to 10+ conversations and screenings, including Murdoch Mysteries Uncovered, The Legend & Her Legacy: Agatha Christie and events with Ian Hamilton, Nita Prose, Kellye Garrett and more.

The Sunday Pass gets you access to 8+ conversations, including Tea, Cake & Murder and events with Linwood Barclay, Kelley Armstrong, Drew Hayden Taylor and more.

The 3-Day Pass gets you access to 20+ events all weekend long. Plus, you can add on a copy of Walter Mosley’s Farewell, Amethystine for $35 (tax incl.) when you purchase a 3-Day Pass.

Passes are required to attend author conversations and screenings, but are not required for events indicated as FREE on the schedule. Masterclasses require separate registration. Browse the full schedule, here.

Ways to save:

Students and youth aged 25 and under can save up to 50% on pass types

Groups can save 25% on orders of five Passes or more by calling the Harbourfront Centre Box Office

Passes will be emailed to you after your purchase. If you haven’t received a copy, you can reach the Harbourfront Box Office at 416-973-4000 (option 1) or tickets@harbourfrontcentre.com and they will resend the pass to your email.

The MOTIVE Information Desk inside Harbourfront Centre (235 Queens Quay W, Toronto) will be open June 7 (12–7pm), June 8 (10am – 7:30pm) and June 9 (10am – 5:30pm) if you need help during the Festival.

Learn Writing Tips and Techniques from the Experts

Whether you are an aspiring, established or hobby writer, don't miss the opportunity to sit down with bestselling authors to learn their tips and tools for writing incredible stories. From writing for podcasts to building characters that stand out, each class provides an in-depth lesson on writing techniques. This year's MOTIVE masterclasses feature authors Abir Mukherjee, Laurah Norton, S.G. MacLean, Kimberley Howe and Leonie Swann. All writing levels are welcome. Browse them all, here.

Free Events You Won't Want to Miss

Along with conversations, screenings and masterclasses, MOTIVE has many free activities and panels to experience over the weekend! Toronto Crime Tours is back for two sessions of shocking scandals and downright bizarre incidents from Toronto's crime history.

The Crime Writers of Canada (CWC), a national non-profit organization for Canadian crime and mystery writers, will be in the Bays on Saturday and Sunday so you can meet authors, get books signed and chat with Canadian writers. At 3pm on Saturday and 2:30pm on Sunday, authors from the CWC will also be taking to the Bays Stage to read excerpts of their works. Plus, authors Jass Aujla, H & A Christensen and M. Z. Urlocker will be on stage talking about the fun and the challenges of writing as part of a team for Partners In Fictional Crime (June 8 at 5:30pm).

If you are looking to get hands-on experience, the University of Toronto Mississauga Forensic Science Program will be leading three free workshops:

For those looking to take a deep dive into the crime and mystery genre, be sure to check out Crime Writing Through the Ages and Talking Tropes: Crime Edition. And lastly, if you are writer looking to learn from the best, Ask The Expert: Research and Pitch Perfect are two events you won't want to miss.

Grab a Book or Two... or Three!

Whether it’s a spine-tingling thriller, a cosy mystery or a fascinating true crime story, #MotiveTO is the place to be for a reader in need of a new book!  If you prefer e-books and audiobooks, Kobo’s got you covered, while Indigo has all you need in paperback and hardcover. Browse the full MOTIVE 2024 Festival reading list, here.

Indigo’s pop-up bookstore will be in Harbourfront Centre’s shop, located on the north-east corner of the building. The bookstore will be open:

Friday, June 7: 5–9pm
Saturday, June 8: 11am – 9pm
Sunday, June 9: 11am – 7pm

Getting to Harbourfront Centre

With all the events taking place throughout Harbourfront Centre's beautiful lakeside campus, we recommend planning your route before you leave. You can find directions for getting here by train, TTC, car and foot, here.

Check out the Festival map to find a venue (click image for larger size):

What’s Nearby?

If you need an energy boost or a quick bite to eat between events, be sure to check out The Bays Café, Boxcar Social and The Slip.

The Bays Café, located on the west side of Harbourfront Centre, will be open 10am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday with non-alcoholic drinks and light food options available for purchase.

Boxcar Social’s Harbourfront location will be open with food and drinks for purchase:

Friday & Saturday: 9am – 12am
Sunday: 9am – 7pm

The Slip will be open with food and drinks for purchase:

Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 12am
Sunday: 12pm – 9pm

Plus, Harbourfront Centre’s Halal Fest will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm. Learn more, here.

Looking for more options? Check out some more restaurants nearby, here.

Share your MOTIVE moments with us!

From your book hauls to photos of meeting your favourite authors, we want to see it all! Share your pictures and Festival stories with us on social media:

Instagram
Facebook

Don’t forget to use #MotiveTO in your posts.

Have a question? See if it is answered on our FAQ page.

Browse the full schedule of MOTIVE events, screenings and conversations, here.

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