OCTOBER 30. 2018 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Lea Harper, Dilys Leman, and Dominique Bernier-Cormier . Guest host: Margaret Code. 8 p.m. The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (Spadina/College). Cover charge.
OCTOBER 30, 2018 in TORONTO: Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night), Toronto’s most diverse poetry reading and open mic series features poets TBA with host Banoo Zan, doors open at 6:15 p.m. Open-mic sign-up at 6:30 p.m. and Show starts at 7 p.m. There is an admission charge. Church of St. Stephen in-the-Fields, 365 College Street
OCTOBER 29, 2018 in SARNIA: Showcase Literacy 2018 presents bestselling author Mitch Albom with his latest book The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, 7 p.m. Sarnia Library Auditorium. Please note: this is a ticketed event that includes a copy of the author’s latest book. PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT!
OCTOBER 29, 2018 in SARNIA: The Play’s the Thing presents the reading of Ibsen’s classic play Ghosts. The play has five roles. Hosted by Anne Stoesser. 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts, 127 Christina Street South. Readers and audience members welcome. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 29, 2018 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
OCTOBER 28, 2018 in OAKVILLE: The Oakville Literary Café October Event presents Jadson Freure and Jerry Levy, followed by an open mic, 4 to 6 p.m. at Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre, 1086 Burnhamthorpe Road East.
OCTOBER 28, 2018 in TORONTO: The Hidden Brook Press – John B. Lee Signature Series Book Launch/Party/Reading featuring new work and readings by April Bulmer, Don Gutteridge, and John Di Leonardo. Guest Reader: John B. Lee, 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Supermarket Restaurant and Bar, 268 Augusta Avenue. NOTE: Entry fee pays for a copy of one of the featured books.
OCTOBER 27, 2018 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents Guernica Editions 40th Anniversary Celebration, 5 to 6 p.m. at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. This is a ticketed event.
OCTOBER 26 AND 27, 2018 in KITCHENER: The Larger Forgetting: Words by Laurie D. Graham and Paintings by Amanda Rhodenizer. The artist talk, reception and book launch will be held Friday, October 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. while a reading with Laurie D. Graham, will be held Saturday, October 27 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Open Sesame, 220 King Street. NOTE: The exhibition runs from October 26 to December 23, 2018.
OCTOBER 26, 2018 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents a Poetry Slam Game Show.
OCTOBER 26, 2018 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents Poetry Caberet #2 with Angela Hibbs, Margo LaPierre, Thunderclaw Robinson, and Caroline Szpak. This is a ticketed event.
OCTOBER 25, 2018 in TORONTO: The Urban Art Salon presents an evening of music, poetry, and art with Bridget Melody, David Stones, Howard Gladstone, Kent Bowman, Sheila White, and the Don Heights Singers, and Stanley Fefferman. Hosted by Gannon Hamilton, 6 to 8 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Library, 599 Mount Pleasant Road.
OCTOBER 25, 2018 in CHATHAM: The Veranda Presents returns with “John Milton and Lycidas: The Poet and The Poem”, 2 to 3 p.m. at the Chatham Branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library, 120 Queen Street. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 24, 2018 in LONDON: Poetry London Reading Series spotlights Canadian poet/author/editor Sina Queyras and local poet/artist Faith Patrick, Workshop 6:30 p.m. Reading 7:30 p.m. Landon Branch Library, 167 Wortley Road.
OCTOBER 24, 2018 in TORONTO: The Quilliad will launch issue 10 and their second chapbook. Halloween costumes are encouraged by not necessary, 7:15 to 10 p.m. at Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church Street. NOTE: There is a cover charge that includes a copy of the issue 10.
OCTOBER 24, 2018 in TORONTO: Palimpsest Press launch of new work: A Skeletal Wand by Ruth Roach Pierson and Dividing the Wayside, a debut collection by Jenny Haysom, 7 to 10 p.m. at Another Story Bookshop, 315 Roncesvalles Avenue
October 24, 2018 in TORONTO: Join Toronto authors for a night of literature and drinks. Readings by Alex Boyd, Jennifer Chen, Victoria Hetherington, and Sam Shelstad. Hosted by Nightwood Editions, 7 p.m. at Farside Studio, 600 Gerrard Street East.
OCTOBER 24, 2018 in TORONTO: The Ontario Legislature is once again considering creating the position of a Poet Laureate for Ontario. A committee with consider the Bill and the public is invited to attend and observe the proceedings, 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room #1 in the west wing, main floor of the Ontario Legislature, Queen’s Park.
OCTOBER 23, 2018 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents Poetry Cabaret #1 with Joanne Arnott, Karen Mulhallen, Paul Vermeersch and Catherine Graham. This is a ticketed event.
OCTOBER 23. 2018 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Emilia Nielson, Lenea Grace, and Brian Dedora. Guest host: Puneet Dutt. 8 p.m. The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (Spadina/College). Cover charge.
OCTOBER 23, 2018 in TORONTO: Shab-e She’r (Poetry Night) LXVII, Toronto’s most diverse poetry reading and open mic series features poets Sheila Tucker and Khashayar Mohammadi with host Banoo Zan and Terese Pierre, doors open at 6:15 p.m. Open-mic sign-up at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7 to 10 p.m. There is an admission charge. Main Hall, Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue
OCTOBER 22, 2018 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
OCTOBER 21, 2018 in TORONTO: The IFOA (International Festival of Authors) presents Safar: Journeys to South Asia with readings by Arif Anwar, Amulya Malladi, Majushree Thapa, Rahul Varma, plus Amirudh Bhattacharyya will interview the new High Commissioner of India to Canada, Vikas Swarup, 3 to 5 p.m. at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West. NOYE; This is a ticketed event.
OCTOBER 21, 2018 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents the launch of Best Canadian Poetry of 2018. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 21, 2018 in GODERICH: Andy McGuire will interview celebrated Canadian writers: Canisia Lubrin (Voodoo Hypothesis) and Nathan Ripley (Find Me in the Dark) during this Lit On Tour event hosted by IFOA (International Festival of Authors), 2 to 3 p.m. Goderich Library Branch, 52 Montreal Street. This is a FREE ticketed event.
OCTOBER 21, 2018 in BROOKLIN: The Brooklin Poetry Society presents its monthly poetry meeting, 12 to 2 p.m. at The Goodberry on Baldwin Street
OCTOBER 20, 2018 in WINDSOR: BookFest Windsor presents The Never-ending Present, the bestselling biography of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip. Author Michael Barclay in conversation with Dan Macdonald of 93.9 The River, and featuring a performance by Alessandro Rotondi, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Capital Theatre Windsor, 121 University Avenue West.
OCTOBER 20, 2018 in ST CATHARINES: The Niagara Branch of the Canadian Authors Association will launch the 33rd volume of The Banister with readings of award-winning poems selected by judge Ellen Jaffe. Several local and out-of-town contributors will be in attendance, 2 to 4 p.m. in the Rotary/Bankers Rom of the St. Catharines Public Library, 54 Church Street. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 20, 2018 in SARNIA: Words for Wellness: Poetry Fundraiser. Fifteen-year-old poet and mental heal advocate Rain White is hosting an event with proceeds to the St. Clair Child and Youth Services. 1 to 3 p.m. at Grace United Church, 990 Cathcart Boulevard.
OCTOBER 19, 2018 in TORONTO: The Toronto International Festival of Authors presents a Toronto Poetry Slam with Jennifer Alicia Murrin. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 18 to 21, 2018 in WINDSOR: Bookfest Windsor 2018.
OCTOBER 17, 2018 in OTTAWA: Guernica Editions celebrates its 40th anniversary with gala receptions in Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto. The Ottawa reception will include refreshments, food and the announcement of the shortlist for the 2018 Guernica Prize for Literary Fiction. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. with the announcement of the shortlist at 6:30 p.m. 18th Floor Boardroom, KPMG, 150 Elgin Street, Admission is free. RSVP to Eventbrite.
OCTOBER 16. 2018 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Al Moritz, Linda Frank, and Marvyne Jenoff. Followed by an open mic. Guest host: Terry Trowbridge. 8 p.m. The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (Spadina/College). Cover charge.
OCTOBER 16, 2018 in LONDON: Western’s Faculty of Information & Media Studies (FIMS) #Public Interest Lecture Series presents “Reading Still Matters” a panel discussion presented by Catherine Ross, Lynne McKechnie, and Paulette Rothbauer. They will draw on their new book Reading Still Matters: What the Research Reveals about Reading, Libraries, and Community (Libraries Unlimited, 2018), 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Landon Branch of the London Public Library, 167 Wortley Road. Open to the public.
OCTOBER 16, 2018 in SARNIA: The Book Keeper presents Canadian War Historian Tim Cook with his new book, 7 p.m. at the Sarnia Royal Canadian Legion. Note: this is a ticketed event.
OCTOBER 15, 2018 in SARNIA: “Open Stage” at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Hosted by singer-songwriters Missy Burgess. To be held the second and third Monday of each month except July and August. Welcomes music, poetry, storytelling, prose and those who wish to just listen. 7 to 9 p.m.
OCTOBER 15, 2018 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
OCTOBER 14, 2018 in GUELPH: Guelph Book Bash Festival 2018, an annual celebration of Guelph books plus the launch of the annual Rhapsody anthology with poetry by area authors, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Lakeside HOPE House, 10 Cork Street East. Hosted by Vocamus Writers Community. Admission is free.
OCTOBER 14, 2018 in OAKVILLE: The Ontario Poetry Society presents the Autumn Ingathering for Poetry, Members’ Readings and Open Mic., 1 to 4 p.m. Units 2 & 3, Fair Trade Coffee & Gift Shop, 67 Bronte Road. Admission is free
OCTOBER 13, 2018 in OAKVILLE: The Oakville Poetry & Prose open mic and feature speaker event with guest reader novelist Hannah Mary McKinnon followed by a Q and A, 2 to 4 p.m., Taste of Columbia – Fair Trade Coffee El Salon “events” Room, 67 Bronte Road.
OCTOBER 13, 2018 in ST CATHARINES: The Canadian Authors Association, Niagara Branch presents the workshop “How Can I Self Publish My Poetry or Prose?” with Bob Foley, Niagara writer, publisher and historian, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Catharines Public Library, 54 Church Street. Limited seats so book early by contacting the library at ext. 211.
OCTOBER 12, 2018 in OTTAWA: In/Words Reading Series: October Edition. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Event begins at 7:10 p.m. at The Art House Café, 555 Somerset.
OCTOBER 12, 2018 in HAMILTON: The Tower Poetry Society and the Hamilton Public Library presents the opening of the the Tower Poetry Society archival collection in the Local History and Archives section. The event will also include selected readings from Tower Society members, 1 p.m. in the Hamilton Room, Hamilton Public Library, Central Branch.
OCTOBER 11, 2018 in KOMOKA: Kick off Ontario Public Library Week and enjoy readings from local authors Ron Stewart, Shel Krakofsky, Adrienne Clarke, and Beth Moyer, 7 p.m. at the Komoka Wellness Centre of the Komoka Library.
OCTOBER 11, 2018 in TORONTO: Jason Freure launches his first collection of poetry Everyone Rides the Bus in a City of Losers (ECW Press). Guest readers Catriona Wright and Spencer Gordon, 7 to 11 p.m. at Farside, 600 Gerrard Street East.
OCTOBER 10, 2018 in HAMILTON: Nature’s Poetics: Linda Frank (Divided) and Heidi Greco (Practical Anxiety) will be reading from their new collections, 7 to 9 p.m. at Epic Books, 226 Locke Street South.
OCTOBER 9. 2018 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Lois Lorimer, Rocco de Giacomo, and Maureen Harris. Guest host: Rosa Arlotto. 8 p.m. The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (Spadina/College). Cover charge.
OCTOBER 8, 2018 in SARNIA: “Open Stage” at the Lawrence House Centre for the Arts. Hosted by singer-songwriters Missy Burgess. To be held the second and third Monday of each month except July and August. Welcomes music, poetry, storytelling, prose and those who wish to just listen. 7 to 9 p.m.
OCTOBER 8, 2018 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com PLEASE NOTE EVENT CANCELLED. LIBRARY CLOSED DUE TO THANKSGIVING DAY.
OCTOBER 5, 2018 in TORONTO: k/f/b Readings presents the Baseline Press Chapbook Launch, Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Poetry – 7-ish, The Dark Side Studio, 244 Augusta Avenue, 2nd floor, Kensington Market
OCTOBER 5, 2018 in TORONTO: Baseline Press releases its 2018 chapbooks (poetry by Lamees Al Ethari, Shelly Harder, Amanda Jernigan, Sandra Ridley, and Anne-Marie Turza) Knife Fork Book
OCTOBER 4, 2018 in SARNIA: The Book Keeper presents Dr. Brian Goldman who will discuss his book The Power of Kindness: Why Empathy is Essential in Everyday Life. 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sarnia Public Library, 124 Christina Street South. NOTE: This is a ticketed event.
OCTOBER 4, 2018 in LONDON: Meet author Angie Abdou on tour for her new book Home Ice. Reading with Andrea Nair, 7 p.m. London Public Library, Landon Branch, Wortley Village.
OCTOBER 4, 2018 in LONDON: London’s Baseline Press releases its 2018 chapbooks (poetry by Lamees Al Ethari, Shelly Harder, Amanda Jernigan, Sandra Ridley, and Anne-Marie Turza) and new titles by 845 Press authors (Rhonda Dynes, Luke MacLean, and Andy Verboom). Doors open at 6 p.m. Readings from 6:30 to 8 p.m. DNA Gallery and Bookshop, 123 Dundas Street.
OCTOBER 3, 2018 in LONDON: LOMP: reading series & open mic (held on the first Wednesday of each month). This month’s featured reader is Shelly Harder, 6 p.m. at TAP: Centre for Creativity, Dundas Street.
OCTOBER 3, 2018 in TORONTO: Meet author Angie Abdou on tour for her new book Home Ice. Reading with Erica Ehm, 6 p.m. Ben McNally Books.
OCTOBER 2. 2018 in TORONTO: The Art Bar Poetry Series presents featured readers Rosa Arlotto, Jim Nason, and Caroline Szpak. Guest host: TBA. Note: open mic competition has been moved to a monthly (last Tuesday of the month) versus a weekly event. 8 p.m. The Free Times Café, 320 College Street (Spadina/College). Cover charge.
OCTOBER 2, 2018 in GUELPH: Off the Page: A Writer’s Open Mic takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. Each presenter is allowed approximately 6 minutes to share anything that the presenter has written: short stories, poems, etc. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at The Cornerstone, 1 Wyndham Street North.
OCTOBER 2, 2018 in WATERLOO: Tanis MacDonald ( Out of Line) and Claire Tacon (In Seach of the Perfect Singing Flamingo) will read from their latest books published by Wolsak and Wynn, followed by a discussion about the shape of a writing life outside a major metropolis, 7 to 10 p.m., Words Worth Books, 96 King Street South.
OCTOBER 2, 2018 in WINDSOR: Poetry at the Manor Volume 6, a poetry reading with Poets Laureate from Ontario and Canada: Marty Gervais, Poet Laureate of Windsor; John B. Lee, Honorary Poet Laureate of Norfolk County; Dr. Afua Cooper, Halifax’s 7th Poet Laureate; Chloe LaDuchesse, 5th Poet Laureate of Greater Sudbury; Lauren Best, the 2017-2019 Poet Laureate of Owen Sound; and poet Marilyn Gear Pilling from Hamilton, 7 to 9 p.m. Willistead Manor, 1899 Niagara Street. Admission is free. Everyone is welcome.
OCTOBER 2, 2018 in TORONTO: The Rowers Reading Series presents features poetry and prose with David Demchuk, Drew Hayden Taylor, Meaghan Strimas, and Myna Wallin, 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church Street.
OCTOBER 2, 2018 in SARNIA: The Lawrence House Centre for the Arts presents a fundraiser event to raise money to purchase a portable stage for House Concerts and Open Stage. The keynote speaker will be Mike Stevens, founder of ArtsCan and a talented musician. Music by Missy Burgess, John Pilat, and Mark Blayney. 6 to 9 p.m. at Olive’s Restaurant. This is a limited ticketed event.
OCTOBER 1, 2018 in POINT EDWARD: Writers Helping Writers (WHW) workshop: Lambton County writers are invited to a weekly workshop for writers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. each Monday (except holiday Mondays and the summer months of July and August) at Point Edward Library on Michigan Avenue. More details: bobandjane62@gmail.com
TO SEE EVENTS FOR PREVIOUS MONTHS, SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM WHERE THERE IS A LIST OF PAGE NUMBERS. CLICK ON THE PAGE NUMBER THAT YOU WANT!
Kites Without Strings 