St. Lawrence Writers Festival Returns for Its Second Year

Brockville – The St. Lawrence Writers Festival returns for its second year, bringing an outstanding lineup of Canadian authors, poets, and literary personalities to Brockville from September 10–13, 2026. Held primarily at Arts Hub Brockville, 32 Park Street, transforming Arts Hub
Brockville into a vibrant centre of literary discussion, creativity, and intellectual exchange.

The festivities commence on Thursday evening with national best-selling author Waubgeshig Rice (Moon of the Crusted Snow, Moon of the Turning Leaves), and the return of Wayne Johnston (new release: The Novice of Holloway Hall) and Terry Fallis (The Marionette) in conversation with Rod Carley.

Friday afternoon features award-winning author Gary Barwin (new release: The Comedian’s Book of the Dead), new releases from area writer Heidi Reimer (What We Found Instead), Heidi von Palleske (The Lost Queen), Hollay Ghadery (The Unravelling of OU), and Catherine Bush’s 2025 critically acclaimed short story collection SKIN.

Audiences are in for a treat Friday evening with best selling Newfoundland author, the imitable Donna Morrissey (new memoir: Tell It to the Water), in conversation with acclaimed Calgary writer, Ali Bryan.

Start your Saturday with a Poetry panel (featuring Brockville-born Carolyn Van Der Meer, Kim Fahner, Kingston’s Armand Garnett Ruffo, and Ottawa poet Margo LaPierre) followed by a Romantasy panel with three of Canada’s hottest romantasy writers (H. Leighton Dickson (new release: Ship of Spells), Shade Lapite (debut release: Goddess Crown), and Kelley Armstrong (new release: An Ordinary Sort of Evil.

Do you want to know how the publishing industry works? Attend Patricia Westerhoff’s “How to Get Published in Canada” lunchtime workshop, followed by a Historical Fiction panel featuring Giles Blunt (new release: Bad Juliet and author of the Cardinal TV series now on Netflix), Donna Morrissey (Rage the Night), Lucy Black (new release: The Quilting of Scars), and Frances Boyle (new release: Skin Hunger). The afternoon concludes with an eclectic Contemporary Fiction Panel featuring Russell Smith (new release: Self Care), Governor-General award-winning playwright Judith Thompson’s debut novel In Crow’s Field, Giller nominated Dennis Bock’s new release Strangers at the Red Door, and Darlene Madott’s new release Closing Ceremonies and Dying Times).

One of the festival’s most popular events returns this year – a Saturday night cruise with 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruise Lines! This year’s cruise takes a romantic turn as it transforms into “The Love Boat!”

On Sunday, the festival isn’t going to the dogs, but it is going to the cats — Hilton the rescue Tabby to be purr-cise. Join us for the Cat Meow’s brunch followed by the book launch of The Great Catsby by Hilton, a catification of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic (adapted/translated by award-winning humour writer Rod Carley and illustrated by Quebec-based illustrator Juliette Miron). Join Hilton and friends in conversation with Terry Fallis (free event).

Other featured authors include Carolyn Bennett, Celia Godkin, Daniel Goodwin, Lois Lorimer, Michael Mirolla, Emily Weedon, and Ron Zajac.

New and Returning Festival Highlights:

Saturday September 12th – Romance on the River – “The Love Boat” Cruise!

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Hosted by Amy Jones and featuring Ali Bryan (COQ), Kerry Claire (new release: Definitely Thriving), Lily Chu (new release; Rich Girl Summer), (Farah Heron (new release: The Bad Boyfriend Curse), and Maggie North (new release: Fossil Feud).

Limited to 80 tickets!

Before the cruise between 5 and 8 p.m. there is an opportunity to experience a unique literary photo opportunity. Thanks to Vertigo Productions of Brockville, guests can pose with Owen, our male model, and receive a customized digital image designed to resemble a classic Harlequin book cover. $40 per photo – limit of 50 people only to
pose with Owen below. Participants should arrive dressed how they prefer for the photo, but there will be some wig choices if desired.

Sunday’s programming features the Cat’s Meow brunch, and a special literary celebrity: Hilton the Rescue Tabby, who will be launching his debut novella, The Great Catsby.

“Not only do we have a special day with Hilton, but for our second annual festival we’ve created a jigsaw puzzle featuring book covers from our 2026 author lineup,” says award-winning author and festival organizer Rod Carley. “It’s a wonderful keepsake and should provide a challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.”

The festival thanks all the sponsors that have made the festival possible this year, including gold sponsor River West Co.

The Book’s Better Bookshop of Smiths Falls returns as the official bookseller for the event. Festival attendees can browse and purchase books in the lower level of Arts Hub Brockville and meet authors for signings throughout the weekend

Festival Schedule:

Thursday, September 10:

6:30 PM Chapter 1 – Welcome, Bienvenue, and Biindigeg

6:45–7:45 PM Chapter 2 – Moon of the Post-Apocalypse
Waubgeshig Rice in conversation with Rod Carley

8:15–9:15 PM Chapter 3 – Terry and Wayne’s Excellent Adventure
Terry Fallis and Wayne Johnston in conversation with Rod Carley

Friday, September 11:

2:00–3:00 PM Chapter 4 – Writing and Illustrating a Children’s Picture Book Celia Godkin. (Free Event)

4:00–5:00 PM Chapter 5 – To Speculate or Familiarize
Daniel Goodwin and Michael Mirolla in conversation with Ron Zajac

5:30–6:15 PM Chapter 6 – Meet The Grin Reaper
Gary Barwin in conversation with Carolyn Bennett

6:30–7:30 PM Chapter 7 – Ain’t No Mansplaining Here
Catherine Bush, Hollay Ghadery, Heidi Reimer, and Heidi von Palleske
Moderated by Emily Weedon

8:00–9:00 PM Chapter 8 – Tell It to the Water
Donna Morrissey in conversation with Ali Bryan

Saturday, September 12:

9:30–10:30 AM Chapter 9 – I Heard the Poet Say…
Kim Fahner, Margo LaPierre, Armand Garnett Ruffo, and Carolyn Van Der Meer. Moderated by Lois Lorimer

11:00 AM–12:00 PM Chapter 10 – In a Land Called Romantasy
Kelley Armstrong, Shade Lapite, and H. Leighton Dickson
Moderated by Sophie Gartland-Davey

12:30–1:30 PM Chapter 11 – From Manuscript to Marketplace: Getting Published in Canada
Patricia Westerhof (Arts Hub Brockville – Lower Level)

2:30–3:30 PM Chapter 12 – Blast from the Past
Lucy E.M. Black, Giles Blunt, Frances Boyle, and Donna Morrissey
Moderated by Randall Perry

4:00–5:00 PM Chapter 13 – Word Shakers & Story Makers
Dennis Bock, Darlene Madott, Russell Smith, and Judith Thompson
Moderated by Heidi von Palleske

8 – 11 PM: Chapter 14 – It’s the Love Boat
1000 Islands & Seaway Cruise – Blockhouse Island
Ali Bryan, Lily Chu, Kerry Clare, Farah Heron, Maggie North
Hosted by Amy Jones

Sunday September 13:

11AM – 12:30 PM Chapter 15 – The Cat’s Meow Brunch
Arts Hub Brockville (Lower Level)

1 – 2 PM Chapter 16 – BOOK LAUNCH – The Great Catsby by Hilton
Rod Carley, Juliette Miron (illustrator), Heidi von Palleske (Smart House Books), and Hilton in conversation with Terry Fallis
(As scheduled) Chapter 17 – Synonym Buns for Writers One-on-one manuscript consultation with Randall Perry – Note: Only six manuscripts
will be accepted

Ticket Information:

• Festival Pass (all Arts Hub events): $150
• Thursday Pass: $50
• Friday Pass: $75
• Love Boat Cruise: $75 (includes snacks on board!)
• Harlequin Cover Photo Experience: $40
• One-on-One manuscript Critique Session with Randall Perry (limited to six participants): $60
• Individual Event Tickets: $25
• Hilton the Cat Book Launch: Free
• Cat’s Meow Brunch (Sunday, 11:30 a.m.): $25
• Festival Jigsaw Puzzle: Two options: 1,000 or 500 piece, each retail for $39.99