FEATURED EVENTS
Vancouver Writers Fest
Oct. 17–23
The Vancouver Writers Fest celebrates its 29th year with six days of stories, told by authors, poets, spoken word performers, and graphic novelists. Featuring Yann Martel, Wade Davis, Teva Harrison, Sam Wiebe, Sarah Glidden, Madeleine Thien, Michael Helm, M.G. Vassanji, Lindy West, Joy Kogawa, Ivan Coyote, Kenneth Oppel, Guy Gavriel Kay, Gordon Korman, Erin Bow, C.C. Humphreys, and Billie Livingston. Various locations, Granville Island, B.C. Full schedule: writersfest.bc.ca

International Festival of Authors
Oct. 20–30
IFOA features 11 days of readings, interviews, round table discussions and public book signings. The festival’s 37th edition spotlights graphic novelists, contemporary Irish writers, and various works of non-fiction, complementing a diverse lineup of fiction and poetry. This year’s lineup includes Michel Winter, Catherine Bush, Seth, Alison Pick, André Alexis, and more. Harbourfront Centre, Toronto. Full schedule: ifoa.org/events

MONDAY, OCTOBER 17

Common Reading Series: Nathaniel G. Moore. Hosted by Daniel Renton. Belljar Café, 2072 Dundas St. W., Toronto. 7 p.m.

Devon Code: Launching the novel Involuntary Bliss. Type Books, 883 Queen St. W., Toronto. 7 p.m. Free

Eh List Author Series: Q&A and book signing with John Laschinger, author of Campaign Confessions. TPL City Hall Branch, 100 Queen St. W., Toronto. 1 p.m.

Make Poetry Weird Again: Jack Bride, Sarah-Jane Ford, Spencer Butt, Darryl Golden, YYZine Distro. The Ossington, 61 Ossington Ave., Toronto. 8 p.m.

Vancouver Poetry Slam: Poetry slam competition with guest performers. Café Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Dr., Vancouver. 8 p.m. $5

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18

Art Bar Reading Series: With Mike Lipsius, Laura K. McRae, and Edward Anki, plus open mic. Free Times Cafe, 320 College St., Toronto. 8 p.m. $5. www.artbar.org

Jael Richardson: Discussing her father-daughter memoir, The Stone Thrower. Edmonton LitFest, Convocation Hall, University of Alberta, 113 St., Edmonton. 12 p.m.

Kevin Donovan: Toronto Star journalist in conversation with Lisa Taylor about his new book, Secret Life: The Jian Ghomeshi Investigation. Rogers Communications Centre, 80 Gould Street, Room 204, Toronto. 7 p.m.

Nightwood Editions & Anvil Press Readings: With Amber McMillan, Owain Nicholson, Nathaniel G. Moore, and Spencer Gordon. Type Books, 883 Queen St. W., 7 p.m. Free

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Pivot Reading Series: With Nathaniel G. Moore, Amber McMillan, Adebe DeRango-Adem, and Vincent Pagé. The Steady, 1051 Bloor St. W., Toronto. 8 p.m. Free

Sarah Glidden: Panel discussion featuring the author of Rolling Blackouts: Dispatches from Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Vancouver Writers Fest, 1412 Cartwright St, Vancouver. 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

Alexandra Shimo: Launching the book Invisible North. Ben McNally Books, 366 Bay St., Toronto. 6 p.m.

Faizal Deen: Launching the book The Greatest Films. Another Story Bookshop, 
315 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto. 7 p.m. Free

Sydney Sharpe and Don Braid: Discussing the book Notley Nation. Milner Library Theatre, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton. 7 p.m.

Talonbooks: Fall launch. Pyatt Hall, Vancouver School of Music, 2nd floor, 843 Seymour St., Vancouver. 7:30 p.m. Free

Wolsak and Wynn Fall Launch: With Jowita Bydlowska, Richard Harrison, and Julie Salverson. Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St., Toronto. 7 p.m. Free

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21

Rural History Roundtable Speaker Series: Tom Thomson, A Century Later: His Rural Art and Mysterious Death. University of Guelph, Mackinnon Building, Room 132, 50 Stone Rd. E., Guelph. 4:30 p.m.

Toronto Poetry Slam: Spoken word competition, with special guests the Ragdolls. Hosted by Dave Silverberg. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W., Toronto. 8 p.m. $7.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

Adam Hochschild: Author of Spain in Our Hearts: Americans in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939, in conversation with filmmaker David Bezmozgis. Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre, 207 Queens Quay W., Toronto. 7:30 p.m. $25–$50

Philippa Dowding: Launching the book Everton Miles Is Stranger than Me. Indigo Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge St., Toronto. 12 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

Draft Reading Series: Karen Mulhallen,
 Josee Sigouin,
Teri Vlassopoulos, and
Bänoo Zan. Flying Pony Café,1481 Gerrard St. E., Toronto.
3 p.m. Free. draftreadings.com

John Laschinger and Noah Richler: In conversation on running for office. Ottawa Writers Festival, Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks St., Ottawa. 4 p.m.

Mystery Panel: With Steve Burrows, Barbara Fradkin, and Janet Kellough. Moderated by Mark Medley. Stratford Writers Festival, 142 Ontario St., Stratford, Ont. 3 p.m.

Send listings for any Canadian literary events to [email protected]. Please include within the body of your email: name of event/featured author, a brief description, venue, street address, city, start time, cost of admission, and contact phone number or website. Q&Q is happy to list general information for literary festivals, but cannot list individual sessions. Events must be received by noon Thursday for the following week’s listings.