Every year the Sudbury literary community gathers in a celebration called Wordstock! This is an amazing opportunity for Sudbury writers and readers alike to interact with several outstanding Northern authors as well as participate in skill building workshops. This years edition of the festival takes place November 1^st-3^rd at its homebase at the Clarion Hotel with off-venue locations including La Fromagerie, The Townehouse Tavern, and even a top secret living room location. You can grab your tickets here, $85 gives you all access to events over the fest or individual tickets are available. Get ready to be inspired!

NOVEMBER 1^st

In a Stranger’s Hand: The Letters Project – 5-6PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Free event

In a Stranger’s Hand: The Letters Project with Scott Florence and Core Eckert is an intimate look at our community. Experience the exchange of hand-written letters between complete strangers.

True North – 7:00 – 8:30PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

Award winning authors Dave Bidini (Midnight Light) and Kevin Hardcastle (Into the Cage) in conversation with CTV’s Callum Rodya talking about their books that highlight aspects of the north.

NOVEMBER 2^nd

Verse by Verse – 4-5PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Free event

Take an afternoon break with thought-provoking and inspiring poetry from an eclectic gathering of poets. Margaret Christakos, Mark Dunn, Susan McMaster and Moderated by Chloe LaDuchesse

Stories and Song – 5:30-7PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

Only at Wordstock Sudbury – two multi-talented artists share stories and songs. Join two old friends David Bidini (Reostatics) and Charlie Anger (Grievous Angels) as they reminisce with their guitars.

Bookclub with Sarah Selecky – 5:30-7PM @ mystery New Sudbury location, Cost: $20

Sit down in the living room with Sarah Selecky to talk about writing Radiant Shimmering Light and the craft of writing. The Toronto Star says “Selecky pokes fun at the culture of online empowerment that attracts women in particular — that strange mix of spirituality, philosophy and self-help with a healthy dash of capitalism — without mocking or dismissing it.” If you haven’t read the book, come anyways, you want to meet Sarah (who grew up in Hamner by the way). Limited seats. If you get the Festival Pass, its included but do let us know you are planning to attend. Once registered you will be provided with location in New Sudbury.

Minwaajimo: Tell a Good Story7:30-9PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

A special evening with trailblazers Joshua Whitehead, Lee Maracle and Waubgeshig Rice

2nd Annual Sudbury Poetry Slam – 9:30-11:30PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Free event

Tanya Neumeyer is back to host the 2nd Annual Sudbury Poetry Slam with special guest Mahlikah Awe:ri. We have special guest Mahlikah Awe:ri, a drum talk poetic rapologist of African-Canadian/Mohawk (Kahnawá:ke) & Mi’kmaw (Bear River) heritage, with Nova Scotian roots, based in Toronto. There is encouragement and prizes and anyone can participate in this fast and furious poetry event.

NOVEMBER 3^rd

Masterclass: Writing Short Fiction – 9:30-11AM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $25

Learn how to write short fiction with a punch by the award-winning, prolific writer, Diane Schoemperlen.

Masterclass: From Stage to Screen – 9:30-11AM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $25

Learn how to develop storylines and characters that come alive on screen with acclaimed screenwriter Elan Mastai.

Inside the Industry – 11:15AM – 12:30PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Free

Kerry Clare, Holly Kent, Jay & Hazel Millar and Moderated by Laura Stradiotto

A unique collection of Canadian publishing experts who share tips and advice on how to get publishing today.

In Conversation – 2:45 – 3:45PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

Kerry Clare, Margaret Christakos and Diane Schoemperlen and Moderated by Katharine Smith

Lee Maracle and Kim Thúy Uncensored – 4 – 5PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

Alternate Realities – 1:30-2:30PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

We love being taken out of this world. Join the conversation about reimagining our world in slightly different ways with Elan Mastai, Brit Griffin & Darlene Naponse in conversation with Markus Schwabe.

Emerging Voices in 2018 – 1:30-2:30PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Cost: $20

Rosanna Micelotta Battigelli, Jennifer Farquhar, Natalie Morrill and Moderated by Kate Rutherford

Reading for the Littles / Club de lecture jeunesse – 10AM-12PM @ Clarion Hotel (117 Elm St) Free event

Bring your children to hear David Homel, author, translator and recipient of the Governor General’s Literary Award, read from his book The Travelling Circus and delight his young audience with his humour and playful stories of travel. English reading to take place at 10 AM, French reading to start at 10:30 AM. 

Taximan with/avec Stanley Péan + David Homel –  5:30-7PM @ La Fromagerie (80 Elgin St) Cost: $20

Two books, two talented authors talking about the writing and translation of Taximan. The prolific author and host of the show Quand le jazz est là on Ici Radio-Canada, Stanley Péan, takes the reader on an adventure through Montreal while translator, journalist and recipient of the Governor General’s Award, David Homel, brings Péan to an English audience for the first time. Comments and anecdotes collected from the back seat of the taxicab:”I was trying to emulate the rhythm of a taxi ride. It had to be brief. Taxi drivers have a vision of Quebec that is not mine, as I grew up in Jonquière, Qc. They question my identity.”
Born in Haiti and raised in Jonquière, Stanley Péan is a writer and journalist. He lives in Montreal.

Tom Wilson of LeE HARVeY OsMOND at Wordstock Sudbury – 8-11PM @ The Townhouse Tavern (206 Elgin St), Cost: $35

This Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival is a special co-presents of The Townehouse and Northern Lights Festival. Tom Wilson has had amazing standing ovation shows with Lee Harvey Osmond at the Northern Lights Festival Boreal. We saw a glimpse of the literary performance this past summer when Tom took the MainStage and read from his book to musical accompaniment. You know Tom and you know that every time he gets on a stage he commands the whole room.