Sat, Oct 31  •  6pm

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

Presented in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues

Diaspora Dialogues
Panel Discussion
Free Event
No pass required
The CanLit Canon at 100: Who Gets In, Who Gets Left Out?
The CanLit Canon at 100: Who Gets In, Who Gets Left Out?

Sat, Oct 31  •  6pm

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

Presented in partnership with Diaspora Dialogues

Panel Discussion
Diaspora Dialogues
Free Event
No pass required

About

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, taught, awarded and remembered — and who has remained outside the frame? Looking back across 100 years of Canadian literature, panelists will consider how gender, race, class, sexuality, disability and cultural background have shaped our literary history, how the definition of “Canadian literature” continues to change, and what a genuinely representative canon might look like in the century ahead.

Panelists: Therese Estacion, Rachel Phan

Therese Estacion is the author of Phantompains (Book*hug Press), a poetry collection that explores her Filipinx heritage and physical disability. In 2021, the book was a finalist for both the Foreword INDIES Award for Poetry and the Firecracker Award for Poetry. She has been a guest editor for Arc Poetry magazine, Feels zine, The Fiddlehead Magazine, and co-curated Smutburger’s 2023-2024 series. Based in Toronto, Estacion was an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies and is training as a psychotherapist. Her second book, Jelly, Baby: Essays on disability and vulnerability was published by Book*Hug Spring 2026.

Rachel Phan is a Toronto-based Chinese Canadian author. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Master of Journalism program, she and her work have been featured on CBC, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Toronto Star, HuffPost, National Post, Chatelaine, and Maclean’s. Her instant national bestselling book, Restaurant Kid: A Memoir of Family and Belonging (2025), was named one of CBC Books’ Best Books of 2025 and longlisted for Canada Reads in 2026. Check out Phan’s website https://www.rachelphan.com/ and follow her on Instagram.

Dates & Times

Sat, Oct 31
6:00pm
↑
7:00pm
A book signing will follow this event

Tickets

This is a FREE event

Venue

Alumni Hall, Victoria College
91 Charles St W, Toronto, ON

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
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Wed, October 28  •  4:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
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
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Wed, October 28  •  6:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
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
Loss & Laughter
Wed, October 28  •  6:30pm

Loss & Laughter

Gary Barwin and Ferdia Lennon
Laughter is the best medicine
Conversation
Fiction
Electric Cabaret
Wed, October 28  •  6:30pm

Electric Cabaret

Join us for a night of poetry and celebration
Performance
Poetry
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
Sintering: Performances and Readings
Wed, October 28  •  7:30pm

Sintering: Performances and Readings

Evelyn Araluen, Jessica Johns, Quill Christie-Peters, Alicia Elliott, Jasmin McGaughey, Bebe Oliver, Kirli Saunders, Nardi Simpson, and Jesse Wente
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Yoga & Journaling
Thu, October 29  •  2:30pm

Yoga & Journaling

Workshop
Writer's Craft
The Cities We Leave Behind
Thu, October 29  •  2:30pm

The Cities We Leave Behind

Maria Cichosz and Alex Pugsley
Journey from Toronto to California in these two novels
Conversation
Fiction
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Thu, October 29  •  4:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
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
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Thu, October 29  •  6:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
Best Canadian Poetry
Thu, October 29  •  6:30pm

Best Canadian Poetry

Hear from a selection of poets in this years anthology
Performance
Poetry
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
Stories in Motion: Indigenous Forms, Genres and Possibilities
Thu, October 29  •  7:00pm

Stories in Motion: Indigenous Forms, Genres and Possibilities

Quill Christie-Peters, Nardi Simpson, and Kirli Saunders
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
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
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
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Fri, October 30  •  4:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
The Bard, Rewritten
Fri, October 30  •  4:30pm

The Bard, Rewritten

Daniel Hahn and Ann-Marie MacDonald
Hear from these authors on adapting and translating Shakespeare
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
Guelph Masterclass Conversation: Marie NDiaye
Fri, October 30  •  5:00pm

Guelph Masterclass Conversation: Marie NDiaye

Marie NDiaye
Hear from the professionals on their writing process
Conversation
Writer's Craft
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
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
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Fri, October 30  •  6:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
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

Philippe Sands, Arlie Russell Hochschild, and Jane Mayer
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, Jesse Wente, and Kirli Saunders
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Toronto Poetry Slam
Fri, October 30  •  7:00pm

Toronto Poetry Slam

A performance & open mic you won't want to miss
Performance
Poetry
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
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
Toronto Made Market: Made Local, Loved by Readers
Sat, October 31  •  10:00am

Toronto Made Market: Made Local, Loved by Readers

Do some shopping at the Festival from these bookish vendors!
Exhibition
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
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
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
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 and Alex Spring
Join these two best-selling authors for a thrilling conversation on crime fiction
Conversation
Fiction
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Sat, October 31  •  1:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
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, Beata Umubyeyi Mairesse, and Gaël Faye
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
Thinking From Black
Sat, October 31  •  1:30pm

Thinking From Black

A conversation with The Practicing Refusal Collective
Conversation
Non-Fiction
Workshop: Animal Drawing with Mark Liam Smith
Sat, October 31  •  2:00pm

Workshop: Animal Drawing with Mark Liam Smith

Mark Liam Smith
Learn from the best in a illustration workshop
Workshop
Writer's Craft
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
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
Literature in Translation
Sat, October 31  •  2:30pm

Literature in Translation

Daniel Hahn and Jeremy Tiang
Join these translators for a panel on the craft
Panel Discussion
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
Rebel English Academy: Mohammed Hanif
Sat, October 31  •  3:00pm

Rebel English Academy: Mohammed Hanif

Mohammed Hanif 
Join the bestselling author for a talk on his latest novel
Conversation
Fiction
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Sat, October 31  •  3:00pm

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
Rupture / Justice: An Unfinished Reconciliation
Sat, October 31  •  3:30pm

Rupture / Justice: An Unfinished Reconciliation

Philippe Sands, Jesse Wente, and Mayo Moran
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
Arab Voices, Memory, and the Next Narrative in the Global Diaspora
Sat, October 31  •  4:00pm

Arab Voices, Memory, and the Next Narrative in the Global Diaspora

Saleem Haddad, Nyla Matuk, Hind Shoufani, and Ashraf Zaghal
Hear from Arab writers on this panel
Panel Discussion
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
Motherline
Sat, October 31  •  4:30pm

Motherline

Marie NDiaye and Amanda Peters
Hear a conversation on womanhood and being a mother
Conversation
Fiction
Workshop: Illustrating with Jackie Morris
Sat, October 31  •  4:30pm

Workshop: Illustrating with Jackie Morris

Jackie Morris
Learn from the best in a illustration workshop
Workshop
Writer's Craft
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

Alicia Elliott, Jasmin McGaughey, and Bebe Oliver
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
The Small Ones: Nazanine Hozar in Conversation with John Irving
Sat, October 31  •  5:30pm

The Small Ones: Nazanine Hozar in Conversation with John Irving

Nazanine Hozar and John Irving
Join the 2026 Giller long-listed author for a conversation
Conversation
Fiction
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
Toronto Made Market: Made Local, Loved by Readers
Sun, November 1  •  10:00am

Toronto Made Market: Made Local, Loved by Readers

Do some shopping at the Festival from these bookish vendors!
Exhibition
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
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
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
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
Writers Collective of Canada Workshop
Sun, November 1  •  11:30am

Writers Collective of Canada Workshop

Join WCC for an expressive writing workshop in a shared, inclusive space
Workshop
Writer's Craft
Bright Machine and Dark Stars
Sun, November 1  •  12:00pm

Bright Machine 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?

Philippe Sands and Robert Moor
Part of Rupture/Justice with Philippe Sands
Conversation
Rupture / Justice
The Typing Lady: Ruth Ozeki
Sun, November 1  •  12:30pm

The Typing Lady: Ruth Ozeki

Ruth Ozeki
Hear from the best-selling author on her latest collection of short stories
Conversation
Fiction
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
Yearning as the Antidote to Despair
Sun, November 1  •  1:00pm

Yearning as the Antidote to Despair

Quill Christie-Peters, Alicia Elliott, Bebe Oliver, and Evelyn Araluen
Part of the Festival of Indigenous Stories
Conversation
Festival of Indigenous Stories
Some Assembly Required
Sun, November 1  •  1:30pm

Some Assembly Required

Glenn Dixon and Terry Fallis
Find the humor in humanity
Conversation
Fiction
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
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
Guelph Masterclass Conversation: Raoul de Jong
Sun, November 1  •  2:30pm

Guelph Masterclass Conversation: Raoul de Jong

Raoul de Jong
Hear from the professionals on their writing process
Conversation
Writer's Craft
Reading in the Age of Distraction
Sun, November 1  •  2:30pm

Reading in the Age of Distraction

A panel on the recent Atlantic article, moderated by Ira Wells
Panel Discussion
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
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
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
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
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
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