MOTIVE 2024 Events

Browse all the conversations, screenings, readings and workshops taking place at MOTIVE

View passes
↑
 
 
 

Authors & Participants

Browse all the conversations, screenings, readings and workshops taking place at MOTIVE

View passes
↑

Featured events

Full lineup

Filter by category
Filter by programme stream

June 7

June 7  •  5:00pm

Mastering Plot: Crafting Compelling Narratives

Abir Mukherjee

Learn the tips, tricks and techniques for plotting a great book.
Masterclass
Writer's Craft
June 7  •  7:00pm

The Past Never Says Goodbye

Walter Mosley

Take a deep dive into the mystery genre with an international superstar.
Conversation
Fiction

June 8

June 8  •  10:30am

Crime Writers of Canada

Meet Canadian crime and mystery writers!
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  11:00am

Forensic Science: The Real CSI – As Not Seen on TV!

Murray Clayton

Dive deep into the world of forensic science with this free workshop.
Workshop
True Crime
June 8  •  11:00am

Thrills from Start to Finish

Ian Hamilton and Steve Urszenyi

Canadian thriller writers share what makes the thriller genre so endlessly appealing.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  11:00am

Toronto’s Crime History with Toronto Crime Tours

Join retired Toronto detectives for a wild ride through the city's crime history.
Conversation
True Crime
June 8  •  12:00pm

Crime Writing Through the Ages

Otto Penzler

These mystery experts offer their reflections on the development of the beloved genre.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  12:00pm

Protagonists Push Back

Conor Kerr and Kellye Garrett

Authors explore the power storytelling has in challenging perceptions and igniting meaningful change.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  12:00pm

Murder, Mayhem & Mysteries

Leonie Swann and Antti Tuomainen

All detectives have their quirks, but these gripping mysteries happen to have some of the quirkiest.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  1:00pm

The Business of Being Bad

Katrín Júlíusdóttir and Yun Ko-eun

Sometimes it's not one bad guy you need to worry about... it's a whole institution.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  1:30pm

Ask The Expert: Research

Jonathan Whitelaw and Hannah Mary McKinnon

These authors will answer all your crime writing research related questions.
Conversation
Writer's Craft
June 8  •  1:30pm

The Secret of Blood: From Spatter to Science

Murray Clayton

Try your hand at blood spatter analysis and learn all the ways blood can help solve a crime.
Workshop
True Crime
June 8  •  2:00pm

Feather Dusters and Foul Play

Nita Prose

Love cosy mysteries? Get to know unconventional protagonist Molly the maid!
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  2:00pm

Looking for a Familiar Face: The Justice System and Canada’s Diverse Communities

Julius Haag

Join the experts as they explore the crucial intersection of representation, justice and community.
Conversation
True Crime
June 8  •  3:00pm

Crime Writers of Canada Readings

Hear the latest in Canadian crime fiction!
Reading
Fiction
June 8  •  3:30pm

Resilience Rewritten: Women’s Stories of Justice and Survival

Elizabeth Flock and Sarah Weinman

These authors explore the complexities women face in a system built against them.
Conversation
True Crime
June 8  •  3:30pm

The Fear Within Us

Rick Mofina and Abir Mukherjee

A missing child. Conspiracy theories. A race against time.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  4:00pm

Podcasting Pro: Constructing Stories for the Ear

Laurah Norton

Learn techniques to transform a story into a compelling audio experience.
Masterclass
Writer's Craft
June 8  •  4:00pm

Pitch Perfect

Karen Sullivan

Get valuable tips and tricks on effectively pitching your book!
Conversation
Writer's Craft
June 8  •  4:30pm

In Pursuit of Revenge

Hannah Mary McKinnon and Jonathan Whitelaw

Hear the authors’ perspectives on two contrasting books that share the theme of revenge.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  5:15pm

Murdoch Mysteries Uncovered

Maureen Jennings

Uncover the secrets behind the novels and hit TV series with us!
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  5:30pm

Partners In Fictional Crime

Jass Aujla, H & A Christensen, and M. Z. Urlocker

Hear about the fun and the challenges of writing as part of a team from four talented authors.
Conversation
Fiction
June 8  •  5:30pm

Caught in the Frame: Revealing Canada’s Art Fraud

Jon S. Dellandrea and Charles Reeve

Delve into the intriguing world of art theft, forgery and famous Canadian art crimes.
Conversation
True Crime
June 8  •  6:30pm

Through a Mirror Darkly: Why We Love True Crime

Kristi Lee

Panelists explore the cultural phenomenon of true crime and why we are so fascinated by it.
Conversation
True Crime
June 8  •  6:30pm

Setting the Scene: Bringing Your World to Life

S.G. MacLean

Discover how to create a vivid and immersive settings in your writing.
Masterclass
Writer's Craft
June 8  •  7:30pm

The Legend & Her Legacy: Agatha Christie

Otto Penzler and Jeffrey Round

Authors in conversation about Agatha Christie’s lasting impact on the mystery genre.
Conversation
Fiction

June 9

June 9  •  10:30am

Crime Writers of Canada

Meet Canadian crime and mystery writers!
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  11:00am

Right Down to the Bone: The Identity of Jane Doe

Grace Gregory-Alcock

Learn about the methods of identifying human remains from a case-active forensic anthropologist.
Workshop
True Crime
June 9  •  11:30am

Tea, Cake & Murder

Kate Hilton and Elizabeth Renzetti

Join us for a morning of mystery and fun, complete with tea, butter tarts and other treats.
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  12:00pm

Talking Tropes: Crime Edition

Otto Penzler and Jonathan Whitelaw

Two crime fiction experts will share their opinions on the best and worst tropes in the genre.
Conversation
Writer's Craft
June 9  •  12:30pm

Spies and P.I.s: Women on the Move

Maureen Jennings and Roberta Rich

Never underestimate a strong female protagonist on the hunt for justice.
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  1:00pm

When the Monsters are Real

Drew Hayden Taylor and Kelley Armstrong

A spine-tingling event delving into the myth and supernatural of these dark and mysterious tales.
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  1:30pm

Toronto’s Crime History with Toronto Crime Tours

Join retired Toronto detectives for a wild ride through the city's crime history.
Conversation
True Crime
June 9  •  1:30pm

Dialogue Dynamics: Writing Great Conversations

Get valuable insights and practical tools to captivate readers and enhance your storytelling.
Masterclass
Writer's Craft
June 9  •  2:00pm

I Will Ruin You

Linwood Barclay

The master of mystery shares how he writes suspenseful and unforgettable stories again and again.
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  2:00pm

To Speak For The Dead

Laurah Norton and Sarah Weinman

A thrilling conversation about forensic science and true crime.
Conversation
True Crime
June 9  •  2:30pm

Crime Writers of Canada Readings

Hear the latest in Canadian crime fiction!
Reading
Fiction
June 9  •  3:00pm

Stirring Up The Past

S.G. MacLean and Jeffrey Round

Embark on a journey back in time with these immersive, page-turning historical reads.
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  3:15pm

From Prescription to Peril: A Forensic Toxicologist’s Insight into the Opioid Crisis

Karen Woodall

Hear about the evolution of Ontario’s opioid crisis and how it ties into criminal behaviour.
Conversation
True Crime
June 9  •  3:30pm

The Art of Characterization: Creating Convincing Protagonists

Leonie Swann

Learn how to bring your own cast of characters to life from the award-winning German author.
Masterclass
Writer's Craft
June 9  •  4:30pm

The Real World of Interrogation

Learn about the realities of criminal investigation and questioning from seasoned experts.
Conversation
True Crime
June 9  •  4:30pm

Twisted Tales of Family Secrets

Ashley Audrain, Shari Lapena, and Nita Prose

Dive deep into the twisted worlds of family secrets and complicated relationships.
Conversation
Fiction
June 9  •  5:30pm

A Deadly Destination

Catherine Mack and Roz Nay

Set sail with these clever destination novels and learn all the ways a vacation can go very wrong.
Conversation
Fiction
To top