Are we losing the ability, or simply the desire, to read? In a provocative recent cover story for The Atlantic, Rose Horowitch argued that we may be entering a “postliterate” age, dominated by scrolling, streaming, summaries and AI; we are consuming more and more text but we are losing the ability to read deeply. If […]
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In this literary conversation, Jeremy Tiang and Daniel Hahn will be discussing the challenges and joys of the art of translation. How do translators capture tone, rhythm, and cultural nuance while bringing new life to literature in another language? How do they find balance between the original work and something new? Through dialogue and shared […]
What does it mean to craft literature outside the Arab world while remaining deeply rooted in its histories, landscapes, and ongoing realities? Led in conversation by filmmaker and poet Hind Shoufani, writers Saleem Haddad, Nyla Matuk, and Ashraf Zaghal gather for an intimate, artist-to-artist discussion on their individual journeys as Arab creators working abroad. Moving […]
A century ago, the idea of a Canadian literary canon — and who might belong in it — looked very different. Women have moved from the margins of Canadian publishing to become many of its most celebrated and widely read voices, but that transformation has not happened equally for everyone. Who has been published, reviewed, […]
This session explores oral history as a way of challenging the stories that institutions, archives, and dominant cultures tell about communities. Bringing together Indigenous and immigrant approaches to oral storytelling, it asks who gets to decide what is remembered, whose knowledge is treated as history, and what gets lost when complex lives are reduced to […]
As traditional publishing programs shrink, workplaces evolve, and career pathways become less predictable, mentorship has become both more important and more elusive. This timely conversation examines how knowledge, opportunity, and professional networks are passed on across publishing today—from editorial and rights to agenting, bookselling, and author careers. How do publishers foster mentorship formally and informally? […]
History is never simply a record of what happened: it is shaped by who was there to document it, whose accounts were preserved, and whose experiences were considered worth remembering. Women writers today are widening that lens, recovering lives and perspectives pushed to the margins and challenging assumed versions of the past. Panelists will explore […]
This session explores what it means to write in a language other than English or French in Canada, where most literary opportunities, resources, and audiences are concentrated in the country’s two official languages. How do newcomer and refugee writers writing in languages other than the two official languages, continue to develop their practice and reach […]
Younger women writers are entering a world in which traditional boundaries — between literary and commercial, page and screen, fiction and memoir, writer and creator — are increasingly porous, while questions of representation, appropriation, authenticity and access have become more complicated, not less. Panelists look at the stories their generation wants to tell, the assumptions […]
This session uses butter chicken—and food more broadly—as a lens for examining how immigrant identities are made palatable, marketable, and legible to dominant audiences. Moving beyond cuisine, the conversation explores the many ways immigrants learn to translate and repackage themselves: adjusting how they speak, describe their experiences, present their qualifications, and perform culture in order […]
This session examines the hustle required to sustain a writing practice in an increasingly precarious economy, where artistic work itself is often underpaid, unstable, and dependent on short-term opportunities. For immigrant, newcomer, and refugee writers, these pressures are compounded by the demands of rebuilding a life in a new country, navigating the devaluation of previous […]
In association with Humber Polytechnic’s Professional Book Publishing program https://humber.ca/explore-programs/programs/professional-book-publishing How does book publishing work? Why do some books get published and not others? How can I make my manuscript more attractive to publishers? What happens after a book is accepted? How do books get marketed in 2026? Do I need an agent? (And what […]
In this panel, Canadian and international independent publishers discuss the why and how of the work they do in bringing books to market. They’ll cover what’s exciting about independent publishing and what challenges they face, how they bring their own tastes and instincts to acquisitions, and how they build relationships with their current and future […]
Join publishing leaders, literary scout Abbe Goldberg of Jenny LaPlante scouting, editor Dan Lopez from Counterpoint, and editor Lena Stöneberg at Aufbau Verlag in Berlin for an insightful discussion of the global trends reshaping the industry, and examine Canada’s place in an international market. Moderated by literary agent Olga Filina of The Read Agency, they’ll […]
Join us for an inspiring panel on writing historical mysteries as Genevieve Graham and Olivier Norek discuss how the historical events can be used as the setting for the perfect crime. Hear from the pros on the research methods and writing techniques that went into creating their novels and the benefits and pitfalls of their […]
Discover the next big names in crime fiction before they hit the bestseller lists! Hosted by Jass Aujla (Crime Writers of Canada Board Director and author of Next Of Twin), this exciting session spotlights CWC associate members as they share captivating readings from their unpublished manuscripts. It’s a rare, intimate opportunity to experience raw talent, […]
Join best-selling authors as they share their stories of what it was like to see their novels be transformed into films and TV series. Hear firsthand how their stories evolve in the process, how much creative input the author has on the script, and discover the challenges and rewards of translating the story from the […]
Get ready for an electrifying showcase of fresh crime fiction! Hosted by Jass Aujla (Crime Writers of Canada Board Director and author of Next Of Twin), this session brings you exclusive live readings from CWC authors launching (or recently launched) their hot new titles in 2026. Whether you’re discovering breakout voices or savoring favorites, join […]
Step into the world of Korean crime and mystery writing with two acclaimed authors in the genre. From psychological thrillers to gritty noirs, Kang Hwagil and Hye-young Pyun discuss what makes Korea’s crime writing scene so distinctive. From cultural influences to social commentary, hear how each impacts stories and writing and their takes on the […]
Take a trip to France without leaving Victoria College! Step into the shadowy streets and sunlit villages with some of the biggest names in French crime writing as they explore how culture and literary tradition have shaped the genre and their predictions for what is to come in the future. Moderated by Roland Gulliver Event takes […]
How does book publishing work? Why do some books get published and not others? How can I make my manuscript more attractive to publishers? What happens after a book is accepted? How do books get marketed in 2026? Do I need an agent? (And what do agents do, exactly?). Get all of these questions (and more) answered […]
Step into a wide-ranging conversation with Steven Beattie, Margaret Cannon, and Shari Lapena, on the evolution of Canadian crime fiction from classic mysteries to contemporary psychological thrillers. Explore the genre’s rapid growth, shifting reader expectations, and the powerful rise of women crime writers shaping the field. With Lapena’s gripping domestic suspense, Cannon’s decades of literary […]
Go behind the scenes of digital publishing with Jessica Khadoo, Manager of Kobo Originals, as she offers an insider’s look at how stories are shaped from pitch to publication. Learn what makes a strong author pitch, how the editorial process unfolds, and what goes into designing the perfect cover. Jessica will also share insights into […]
Get the inside scoop on self-publishing from Tara Cremin, Director of Kobo Writing Life. This in-depth panel with the KWL team will cover everything you need to know to take your romance writing career into your own hands. Learn how Kobo Writing Life empowers authors to publish independently and build sustainable careers in today’s digital […]
