Written by Eden Mills Writers’ Festival staff
Booklovers of all ages, it’s almost time to reunite for the 36th annual Eden Mills Writers’ Festival, a beloved literary festival in the historic riverside village of Eden Mills, Ontario, where Canadian authors and readers have gathered every September since 1989 for a magical and outdoor celebration of words. This year’s festival will take place from September 6-8, 2024, with the main event on Sunday September 8 running from noon to 6 p.m., and online writing workshops available on Thursday, September 5 and Saturday, September 7, where writers will have the opportunity to learn from four published authors about various writing craft topics.
The main event on Festival Sunday is set to feature 45 Canadian authors who will share their recently released books through readings, panel discussions, and more. There’s no better opportunity for fans of Canadian literature to hear from some of the most exciting authors releasing books this year, or to find their next favourite author and add to their reading list. With a diverse lineup of bestselling, children’s, and debut authors, there’s plenty to discover in a range of genres!
Just some of the authors in the lineup includes bestselling authors Cherie Dimaline (Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix), Hannah Mary McKinnon (Only One Survives), Heather O’Neill (The Capital of Dreams), Danny Ramadan (Crooked Teeth), Robert J. Sawyer (The Downloaded), Tanya Talaga (The Knowing), Drew Hayden Taylor (Cold), and Zoe Whittall (Wild Failure and No Credit River).
Also presenting at the festival are award-winning authors Premee Mohamed (We Speak Through the Mountain) and Shani Mootoo (Oh Witness Dey!), celebrated botanist Diana Beresford-Kroeger (Our Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests), and former CBC journalist Carol Off (At a Loss for Words: Conversation in the Age of Rage).
For event attendees wishing to find something new, they’ll have the chance to discover their next favourite book and hear from Vincent Anioke (Perfect Little Angels), Faith Arkorful (The Seventh Town of Ghosts), Cheryl Isaacs (The Unfinished), Deepa Rajagopalan (Peacocks of Instagram), Leanne Toshiko Simpson (Never Been Better), Anna Julia Stainsby (The Afterpains), Natalie Sue (I Hope This Finds You Well) and many more.
“We are delighted to offer everyone who loves books a fantastic 2024 program to enjoy in our beautiful riverside village of Eden Mills,” says Theresa Ebden, Chair of the Eden Mills Writers’ Festival. “Thanks to our sponsors and supporters, the festival team has organized a great day with something for everyone, featuring some of the most exciting Canadian books hitting the shelves this year – so please join us on September 8 to discover your new favourite author!”
The EMWF’s family programming includes poetry from Nicholas Ruddock, a graphic novel from Anna Humphrey, enchanting and entertaining picture books from SJ Okemow, Sahar Golshan, and Derek Mascarenhas, a novel for young readers by Danny Ramadan, and spooky stories from Jeff Szpirglas. These sessions will involve interactive readings, fun activities, and engaging discussions with the authors, making it a fun-filled event for readers of all ages.
EMWF’s Emerge! session is an exciting opportunity for emerging writers to share their work at the festival, including the winners of Read at the Fringe 2024, who are invited to read their winning entries, and some of the bright new writers in the University of Guelph’s Creative Writing MFA Program.
Other exciting attractions at the festival include delicious food and beverages from local vendors offered through the day; a lineup of exhibitors on Publishers’ Way that includes literary journals, small presses, community groups, and indie authors; and the chance for attendees to have books signed and meet the authors attending the event.
The Eden Mills Writers’ Festival could never happen without the wonderful support of EMWF’s funders and sponsors, including Angel Gabriel Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, Department of Canadian Heritage, Waterloo Region Community Foundation – The Musagetes Fund, Ontario Arts Council, The Government of Ontario, Ontario Trillium Foundation, City of Guelph, and the County of Wellington. We also give our thanks to the generous donations received from our community, and for our many volunteers who offer their time to ensure the festival can be enjoyed by all.
Advance tickets to the festival are on sale now until August 31. Admission is free for children and offered at a discount for students with ID. For tickets and further details on the festival schedule, programming, lineup, and more, head over to emwf.ca.
Follow EMWF on Instagram @emwritersfestival and Facebook for the latest news.
