Kingston Writers Fest to Feature Acclaimed Authors and Workshops from September 30 to October 4

This year’s theme is “Words Bring Down Walls.” Director Bruce Geddes, who inherited the theme, interprets it as a means of dismantling barriers not only through communication but also across literary genres and the publishing industry’s tendency to categorize readers.

Geddes emphasized the universal nature of storytelling, stating, “Good stories are good stories, and well-written stories are well-written stories. And so, words can help bring down the walls between genres.” Alongside literary discussions, KWF is collaborating with PEN Canada to raise awareness for authors and editors unjustly imprisoned for their work.

Geddes noted that limitations on free speech affect the wider writing community, including concerns among authors and publishers about perceptions of their work. Reflecting on stricter past censorship, he remarked that such challenges could foster creativity by forcing writers to find innovative ways to express their messages.

For those preparing for the festival, Geddes suggested reviewing the list of attending authors and reading their works. Notably, five of the fourteen long-listed authors for the Giller Prize, along with three of the five shortlisted authors for the Writer’s Trust Non-Fiction prize, will be present, including Michelle Good, who will open the festival with a talk on September 30.

In addition to the panel discussions, the festival will feature various workshops, such as screenwriting with Alex Pugsley and writing style sessions with Kim Echlin. Echlin's workshop is particularly timely, addressing the need for writers to cultivate their unique voices in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, which often blends existing styles and narratives.

Students interested in writing are encouraged to volunteer for the festival to network with industry professionals and connect with fellow writers.