MOTIVE 2024 Events

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

View passes
↑
 
 
 

MOTIVE 2024 Events

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, Hannah Mary McKinnon, and Kimberley Howe

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

Christa Big Canoe, Julius Haag, Keith Merith, and Kevin Donovan

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 and Arwen Humphreys

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

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  •  6:30pm

Through a Mirror Darkly: Why We Love True Crime

Kelly Bergstrom, Kristi Lee, and Kevin Donovan

Panelists explore the cultural phenomenon of true crime and why we are so fascinated by it.
Conversation
True Crime
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

Kelley Armstrong and Drew Hayden Taylor

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

Kimberley Howe

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 Investigation

Dave Perry, Ralph Steinberg, Kerry Watkins, and Arshy Mann

Learn about the realities of criminal investigation and questioning from seasoned experts.
Conversation
True Crime
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