A gentle, accessible yoga session at the start of each festival day that’s designed as a calm counterpoint to a programme filled with murder, mystery and moral complexity. No prior experience in yoga is necessary. Bring your own yoga mat if you have one. This event is included in the pass with registration. Signup will […]
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Maureen Jennings will share tips for creating a top notch book, by getting your beginning compelling and your ending satisfying. (And of course there’s the middle). TIFA’s Creative Writing Masterclasses offer the opportunity to learn how to craft compelling stories and bring captivating characters to life through hands-on lessons from acclaimed authors and industry experts. […]
Classic crime fiction thrives on strong archetypes that endure and are rooted in psychological patterns. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung often used Tarot cards as a way to understand the patterns of human behaviour, regardless of where, when, and how we are born and raised. In this workshop, participants will use Tarot cards as a set of […]
Why do we have fingerprints? Where do they go once collected? Do twins have the same prints as each other? Join Murray Clayton, the Forensic Science Program Officer from the University of Toronto, for an exploration of fingerprint identification, and discover some of the different techniques investigators use not only to reveal hidden prints, but […]
Join case-active forensic anthropologist Gregory Grace-Alcock, as she details the day-to-day tasks of missing person searches and recovery, as well as the methods and techniques used to give an individual their identity back after death. From trauma to taphonomy, participants will be able to engage with the professionals who ensure professional recovery and ethical treatment […]
Doug Johnstone will demonstrate all the ruthless editing skills you need to produce stories that grip readers from start to finish. Over 90 minutes, Johnstone will share the self-editing secrets necessary to making you a concise and effective writer. TIFA’s Creative Writing Masterclasses offer the opportunity to learn how to craft compelling stories and bring […]
Have you thought of writing a novel but found the prospect too daunting? Have you written novels but are eager to explore a more streamlined approach? Not sure where to start? Look no further! In her presentation HOW TO EAT AN ELEPHANT…AND OTHER PLOTTING ADVICE internationally bestselling thriller author Hannah Mary McKinnon will break down […]
“There are three sides to every story: Your side, my side, and the truth.” Robert Evans Reality is a matter of perspective. In this class lead by Robyn Harding, you’ll discuss the various options for writing from multiple points of view (POVs) and explore how the use of POV shapes the story. From creating twists, […]
Celebrate 10 years of the book that had a huge impact on the psychological thriller genre! New York Times Bestselling author, Shari Lapena, will be taking the stage to discuss the book that started it all, The Couple Next Door. Following a young couple who seem to have it all, things take a turn when […]
Walk the blood red carpet with these two authors in their tales of murder and mystery among celebrities. In Sophie Hénaff‘s Police People, currently available in French, a detective and her starstruck partner must solve the disappearance of a famous actress. In Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau‘s We Would Never Tell, a group of women make their way […]
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 […]
Dive into two thought-provoking stories of psychological suspense with Nicole Lundrigan and Hye-young Pyun. In The Case Study, Lundrigan explores the unsettling dynamics between a troubled young woman and the psychologist determined to understand her, blurring the line between care and control. Pyun’s immersive thriller, The Law of Lines, follows the parallel stories of two […]
Step into the shadows with acclaimed authors Naomi Hirahara and Kevin Jagernauth as they explore the art of historical mystery. Hirahara’s Crown City follows a Japanese immigrant adjusting to his new life in California, where racial tensions are rising. Jagernauth’s The Longest Death tells the story of a group of people who will do anything […]
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, […]
Don’t miss this lively conversation between authors Genevieve Graham and Jinwoo Park, as they explore how the characters in each of their novels are pushed to confront what lies beneath the roles society assigns them. Graham’s The Chambermaid’s Key is a sweeping historical tale where a seemingly invisible chambermaid finds herself at the heart of […]
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 […]
Crime may not pay—but it makes for a compelling conversation. Join Hank Idsinga and Lorna Poplak for a riveting event exploring crime from both sides of the bars. Drawing from their books The High Road: Confessions of a Homicide Cop and On the Lam: Great (and Not So Great) Escapes from Prison, they share gripping […]
Toronto was once a rough and rowdy place, a muddy town notorious for hard drinking, gambling and violence. That shady reputation extended to its police force and to the man who ran it. Join Adam Bunch, author of The Toronto Book of the Dead and The Toronto Book of Love for a talk about the […]
Fancy a cup of tea and a conversation full of historical intrigue and mystery? Join authors Ron Base and Sujata Massey as they each present their latest thrilling novels. Base offers up Midnight at the Savoy, the richly atmospheric fifth instalment in the Priscilla Tempest series, set against the shadows of a legendary world of […]
Join us for a compelling conversation on the darker edges of the human experience, with international masters of suspense Johana Gustawsson and Kang Hwagil. Gustawsson presents the second book in her Lidingö Mysteries series, Scars of Silence, a tense psychological thriller that delves into the lingering impact of the past, when a long-buried secret holds […]
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 […]
