Sat, Oct 31  •  3pm

Rebel English Academy: Mohammed Hanif

Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel

Fiction
Conversation
Pass Required
Passes available
View Passes
↑
Rebel English Academy: Mohammed Hanif
Rebel English Academy: Mohammed Hanif

Sat, Oct 31  •  3pm

Rebel English Academy: Mohammed Hanif

Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel

Conversation
Fiction
Pass Required
Passes available
View Passes
↑

About

Booker-longlisted author Mohammed Hanif will appear at the Festival to present Rebel English Academy, a sharp, darkly funny novel set against the charged realities of contemporary Pakistan. Hanif turns his wry eye to the business of English and the complicated promises of education and social mobility. At its heart is a cast of unforgettable characters navigating a world where language can open doors, reshape identities and challenge authority. Join Hanif for a lively conversation about language, political power, religion, education, and dissent—and discover why he remains one of contemporary literature’s most distinctive voices.

When a major Pakistani political figure is hanged, OK Town erupts in protest. A few miles away, Sir Baghi is surprised by a knock at the door of the Rebel English Academy, his tuition center that offers affordable English lessons.
Read more about Rebel English Academy

Published by Grove/Atlantic

Cover of Rebel English Academy

Dates & Times

Sat, Oct 31
3:00pm
↑
4:00pm
A book signing will follow this event

Tickets

Full Festival Pass
SOLD OUT
Regular $159
Under 30 $79
5-Day Festival Pass
Includes 5-day festival events. Excludes Masterclasses.
Regular $159
Under 30 $79
2-Day Weekend
Includes all Victoria University events. Excludes Winter Garden Theatre events and Masterclasses.
Regular $69
Under 30 $39
1-Day Saturday
Includes all Saturday events.
Excludes Masterclasses.
Regular $39
Under 30 $29
Pass Information
5-Day Festival Pass includes Barbara Kingsolver and East West Street: A Song of Good & Evil .
2-Day Weekend and 1-Day Passes do not include Winter Garden Theatre events.
View Passes
↑

Venue

Victoria College Chapel
91 Charles St W, Toronto, ON M5S 2C7

More events to see

Yoga & Journaling
Wed, October 28  •  2:30pm

Yoga & Journaling

Workshop
Writer's Craft
IV Programme Awards & Keynote: James Daunt in conversation with Craig Swinwood
Wed, October 28  •  2:30pm

IV Programme Awards & Keynote: James Daunt in conversation with Craig Swinwood

Featuring presentations of IVY Award and PACLA Award
Conversation
IV Programme
In the Company of Nature
Wed, October 28  •  4:30pm

In the Company of Nature

Chloe Dalton and Melissa Harrison
Join the authors for a conversation on nature and humanity
Conversation
Fiction
Paris on the Brink
Wed, October 28  •  4:30pm

Paris on the Brink

Mark Braude and Jane Rogoyska
Join the authors as they discuss these non-fiction titles on the City of Lights
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Rupture / Justice: 5 Moments of Justice in Words and Music
Wed, October 28  •  5:00pm

Rupture / Justice: 5 Moments of Justice in Words and Music

Philippe Sands
A Performance with Philippe Sands and Gideon Zelermyer
Performance
Rupture / Justice
Women, Grief & Resistance
Wed, October 28  •  5:30pm

Women, Grief & Resistance

Harriet Alida Lye and Vivek Shraya
Hear from these best-selling Canadian authors
Conversation
Fiction
Villa Coco: Andrew Sean Greer
Wed, October 28  •  6:30pm

Villa Coco: Andrew Sean Greer

Andrew Sean Greer
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
Sintering: Performances and Readings
Wed, October 28  •  7:30pm

Sintering: Performances and Readings

Quill Christie-Peters, Nardi Simpson, Bebe Oliver, Jesse Wente, Jasmin McGaughey, and Jessica Johns
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Performance
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Flesh: David Szalay
Wed, October 28  •  7:30pm

Flesh: David Szalay

David Szalay
Join the Booker Prize winning author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
Yoga & Journaling
Thu, October 29  •  2:30pm

Yoga & Journaling

Workshop
Writer's Craft
Dodge City: Patrick deWitt
Thu, October 29  •  4:30pm

Dodge City: Patrick deWitt

Patrick deWitt
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
Skylark: Paula McLain
Thu, October 29  •  5:00pm

Skylark: Paula McLain

Paula McLain
Join the bestselling author for a talk on her latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
And The Winner Is… The UofT SCS Creative Writing Awards
Thu, October 29  •  5:30pm

And The Winner Is… The UofT SCS Creative Writing Awards

Celebrate emerging writers in the University of Toronto's creative writing program
Presentation
Writer's Craft
Small Stories, Big Worlds
Thu, October 29  •  5:30pm

Small Stories, Big Worlds

Tomás Downey and Jess Gibson
Hear from these authors on their short story collections
Conversation
Fiction
Rupture / Justice: Historical Reckonings
Thu, October 29  •  6:00pm

Rupture / Justice: Historical Reckonings

Philippe Sands, Caroline Elkins, and Adam Hochschild
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
Stories in Motion: Indigenous Forms, Genres and Possibilities
Thu, October 29  •  7:00pm

Stories in Motion: Indigenous Forms, Genres and Possibilities

Quill Christie-Peters and Nardi Simpson
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Contrapposto: Dave Eggers
Thu, October 29  •  7:00pm

Contrapposto: Dave Eggers

Dave Eggers
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
The Politics of Patriotism
Thu, October 29  •  7:30pm

The Politics of Patriotism

Omer Aziz and Carol Off
Hear from these two voices on Canadian politics
Conversation
Non-Fiction
10 years on: A celebration of Leonard Cohen
Thu, October 29  •  8:00pm

10 years on: A celebration of Leonard Cohen

Britta Badour, Anne Michaels, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and Michael Christie
Celebrate the iconic Canadian author & musician
Presentation
Poetry
Tea & Talk: The Table Where We Meet
Fri, October 30  •  2:30pm

Tea & Talk: The Table Where We Meet

Jess Janz
Enjoy tea and conversation as authors share their books, stories and inspiration with readers.
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Yoga & Journaling
Fri, October 30  •  2:30pm

Yoga & Journaling

Workshop
Writer's Craft
The Two Roberts: Damian Barr
Fri, October 30  •  4:00pm

The Two Roberts: Damian Barr

Damian Barr
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
Hidden Identities
Fri, October 30  •  5:00pm

Hidden Identities

Rune Christiansen and Tara Gereaux
Join the two authors as they discuss their latest novels
Conversation
Fiction
Into the Unknown
Fri, October 30  •  5:30pm

Into the Unknown

Gillian Deacon and Kim Echlin
Join for a though-provoking conversation
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Stories We Inherit
Fri, October 30  •  5:30pm

Stories We Inherit

Gigi L. Leung and Intan Paramaditha
Join these authors as they discuss the forces that shape characters lives
Conversation
Fiction
Rupture / Justice: The Politics of Us and Them & the Other
Fri, October 30  •  6:30pm

Rupture / Justice: The Politics of Us and Them & the Other

Arlie Russell Hochschild
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
Imagining Resistance Beyond Colonies
Fri, October 30  •  6:30pm

Imagining Resistance Beyond Colonies

Quill Christie-Peters, Nardi Simpson, and Jesse Wente
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Riverwork: Lisa Robertson in Conversation with André Alexis
Fri, October 30  •  7:00pm

Riverwork: Lisa Robertson in Conversation with André Alexis

Lisa Robertson and André Alexis
Join for a thoughtful conversation between two authors
Conversation
Fiction
Toronto Poetry Slam
Fri, October 30  •  7:00pm

Toronto Poetry Slam

A performance & open mic you won't want to miss
Performance
Poetry
Breaking the Mold
Fri, October 30  •  7:30pm

Breaking the Mold

Cheong Ye and Jenny Jackson
A conversation on what happens when characters no longer play nice
Conversation
Fiction
Partita: An Evening with Barbara Kingsolver
Fri, October 30  •  8:00pm

Partita: An Evening with Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver
In conversation on her new novel, Partita
Conversation
Fiction
Global Trends in Publishing
Sat, October 31  •  10:00am

Global Trends in Publishing

International Visitors Programme Industry Panel, also open to the public
Panel Discussion
IV Programme
Tea, Cake, & the Artful Life
Sat, October 31  •  10:30am

Tea, Cake, & the Artful Life

Jill Dawson and Camille de Peretti
Start your day with tea & cake
Conversation
Fiction
Indie Publishing: Fighting for Great Writing
Sat, October 31  •  11:00am

Indie Publishing: Fighting for Great Writing

International Visitors Programme Industry Panel, also open to the public
Panel Discussion
IV Programme
Ghosts, Secrets & The Uncanny: The Boundless Horizons of Queer Fiction
Sat, October 31  •  11:00am

Ghosts, Secrets & The Uncanny: The Boundless Horizons of Queer Fiction

Saleem Haddad and Jordan Tannahill
Join these two best-selling authors for a conversation on Queer literature
Conversation
Fiction
Folklore & Fierce Women
Sat, October 31  •  11:30am

Folklore & Fierce Women

Bar Fridman-Tell and Lindsay Wong
Join this talk on witchcraft of mythology from these two authors
Conversation
Fiction
Writing Outside English and French: Language, Audience, and Recognition in Canada
Sat, October 31  •  11:30am

Writing Outside English and French: Language, Audience, and Recognition in Canada

Presented in partnership with Qissa Festival
Panel Discussion
Qissa Festival
Rethinking Mentorship, Opportunity, and Publishing Career Paths
Sat, October 31  •  12:00pm

Rethinking Mentorship, Opportunity, and Publishing Career Paths

International Visitors Programme Industry Panel, also open to the public
Panel Discussion
IV Programme
In Other Worlds
Sat, October 31  •  12:30pm

In Other Worlds

Portia Elan, Huang Chong‐Kai, and Jeremy Tiang
Join the authors for a conversation on speculative fiction across the globe and time
Conversation
Fiction
Who Gets to Tell the Story? Oral History Against Erasure
Sat, October 31  •  1:00pm

Who Gets to Tell the Story? Oral History Against Erasure

Presented in partnership with Qissa Festival
Panel Discussion
Qissa Festival
Lives on the Line
Sat, October 31  •  1:00pm

Lives on the Line

Jose Ando
Join these two best-selling authors for a thrilling conversation on crime fiction
Conversation
Fiction
Memory & Migration
Sat, October 31  •  1:30pm

Memory & Migration

Anita Rau Badami and Rabindranath Maharaj
Hear from these best-selling authors
Conversation
Fiction
Rupture / Justice: Truths Told in Fiction
Sat, October 31  •  1:30pm

Rupture / Justice: Truths Told in Fiction

Philippe Sands and Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
The Places We Carry
Sat, October 31  •  2:30pm

The Places We Carry

Nyla Matuk and Ashraf Zaghal
Join for a conversation between these two Palestinian authors
Conversation
Fiction
Blood on the Page
Sat, October 31  •  2:30pm

Blood on the Page

Craig DiLouie and Emily A. Weedon
Join for a thrilling conversation on slasher and vampire stories
Conversation
Fiction
Reframing History: Who Gets to Tell the Story?
Sat, October 31  •  3:00pm

Reframing History: Who Gets to Tell the Story?

Presented in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues
Panel Discussion
Diaspora Dialogues
Rupture / Justice: An Unfinished Reconciliation
Sat, October 31  •  3:30pm

Rupture / Justice: An Unfinished Reconciliation

Philippe Sands and Jesse Wente
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
Home Sweet Haunted Home
Sat, October 31  •  4:00pm

Home Sweet Haunted Home

Jessica Hamilton and Sophia Hannan
There's always something lurking around the corner
Conversation
Fiction
Motherline
Sat, October 31  •  4:30pm

Motherline

Marie NDiaye and Amanda Peters
Hear a conversation on womanhood and being a mother
Conversation
Fiction
The Price of a Better Life
Sat, October 31  •  4:30pm

The Price of a Better Life

Randy Boyagoda and Priya Guns
Join for a conversation on wealth, class, immigrant families
Conversation
Fiction
The Abyss: Jeyamohan
Sat, October 31  •  5:00pm

The Abyss: Jeyamohan

Jeyamohan
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
Secrets & Legacies
Sat, October 31  •  5:30pm

Secrets & Legacies

Zak Jones and Salha Obaid
Join the bestselling authors for a talk on their latest novels
Conversation
Fiction
All Times: Indigenous Futurity through Story
Sat, October 31  •  5:30pm

All Times: Indigenous Futurity through Story

Jasmin McGaughey and Bebe Oliver
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
The CanLit Canon at 100: Who Gets In, Who Gets Left Out?
Sat, October 31  •  6:00pm

The CanLit Canon at 100: Who Gets In, Who Gets Left Out?

Presented in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues
Panel Discussion
Diaspora Dialogues
Wonder in the Wild
Sat, October 31  •  6:30pm

Wonder in the Wild

Chen-Fu Hsu and Mark Medley
Join these two authors in their pursuit of the unknown
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Trick or Read
Sat, October 31  •  7:30pm

Trick or Read

Celebrate Halloween the bookish way!
Presentation
Small Press Fair 2026
Sun, November 1  •  10:30am

Small Press Fair 2026

Visit booths from indie publishers across Ontario
Exhibition
Tea, Cake & The Ties that Bond Us
Sun, November 1  •  10:30am

Tea, Cake & The Ties that Bond Us

Téa Mutonji and Chika Unigwe
Join the two authors as they discuss their latest novels
Conversation
Fiction
Beyond Butter Chicken: Making the Immigrant Culture Palatable
Sun, November 1  •  11:00am

Beyond Butter Chicken: Making the Immigrant Culture Palatable

Presented in partnership with Qissa Festival
Panel Discussion
Qissa Festival
The View from the Future: Who Gets to Write What Comes Next?
Sun, November 1  •  11:00am

The View from the Future: Who Gets to Write What Comes Next?

Presented in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues
Panel Discussion
Diaspora Dialogues
Roots & Routes
Sun, November 1  •  11:30am

Roots & Routes

Jamaluddin Aram and Raoul de Jong
Join the two authors as they discuss their latest novels
Conversation
Fiction
Bright Machines and Dark Stars
Sun, November 1  •  12:00pm

Bright Machines and Dark Stars

Canisia Lubrin and Hind Shoufani
Join these two poets as they discuss grief and art
Conversation
Poetry
Rupture / Justice: Paradise Lost? What is Gained?
Sun, November 1  •  12:30pm

Rupture / Justice: Paradise Lost? What is Gained?

Robert Moor
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
Yearning as the Antidote to Despair
Sun, November 1  •  1:00pm

Yearning as the Antidote to Despair

Bebe Oliver and Quill Christie-Peters
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Writing Between Jobs: Immigrant Writers, Precarious Work, and the Struggle to Create
Sun, November 1  •  1:00pm

Writing Between Jobs: Immigrant Writers, Precarious Work, and the Struggle to Create

Presented in partnership with Qissa Festival
Panel Discussion
Qissa Festival
An Insider’s Guide to Publishing
Sun, November 1  •  1:00pm

An Insider’s Guide to Publishing

In association with Humber Polytechnic’s Professional Book Publishing program
Panel Discussion
Writer's Craft
Birds of a Feather
Sun, November 1  •  1:30pm

Birds of a Feather

Jackie Morris, Mark Peck, and Emily Rondel
For the bird-lovers
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Some Assembly Required
Sun, November 1  •  1:30pm

Some Assembly Required

Glenn Dixon and Terry Fallis
Find the humor in humanity
Conversation
Fiction
Sex, Crime & Happily Ever After: How Women Took Over the Bestseller Lists
Sun, November 1  •  2:00pm

Sex, Crime & Happily Ever After: How Women Took Over the Bestseller Lists

Presented in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues
Conversation
Diaspora Dialogues
How Revolutions Begin: Scott Anderson in conversation with Janice Stein
Sun, November 1  •  2:30pm

How Revolutions Begin: Scott Anderson in conversation with Janice Stein

Scott Anderson
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest prize-winning work
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Crafting a Compelling Pitch With Pete Crighton
Sun, November 1  •  3:00pm

Crafting a Compelling Pitch With Pete Crighton

Pete Crighton
Learn from the authors in one of our workshops
Workshop
Writer's Craft
The Shape of Becoming
Sun, November 1  •  3:00pm

The Shape of Becoming

Mona Høvring and Joseph Kertes
Join the bestselling authors for a talk on their latest novels
Conversation
Fiction
Cross Borders: Canada, America and the Midterms
Sun, November 1  •  3:30pm

Cross Borders: Canada, America and the Midterms

David Shribman
Hear from the journalist on Canadian-American relations
Conversation
Critical Conversations
The Dark Side of Devotion
Sun, November 1  •  4:00pm

The Dark Side of Devotion

Petra Hůlová and Lee Heejoo
Hear a thought-provoking conversation from these two international authors
Conversation
Fiction
Housing Inc.: Leilani Farha
Sun, November 1  •  4:00pm

Housing Inc.: Leilani Farha

Leilani Farha
Conversation on the 2026 CBC Massey Lecture
Conversation
Non-Fiction
East West Street: A Song of Good & Evil
Sun, November 1  •  5:00pm

East West Street: A Song of Good & Evil

Philippe Sands
A performance based on the best-selling book
Performance
Rupture / Justice
To top