Current Events
September
Signing for Barbara Leimsner's Quitting the Master Race
Perfect Books
In Quitting the Master Race, Barbara Leimsner confronts the past to discover how one ordinary man—her adored German papa—became thoroughly indoctrinated with Nazi ideology during the Hitler years.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ The Capital of Dreams with Heather O’Neill
Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre
Join us for the launch of our Fall season with The Capital of Dreams, a breathtaking dark fairy tale of survival and betrayal from the vivid imagination of Heather O’Neill. Hosted by Lucy van Oldenbarneveld.
Book Launch for Gerald Lynch's Plaguing Jake
Perfect Books
In equal parts Joyce and Hemmingway local author Gerald Lynch's new mystery, Plaguing Jake, heralds a powerful return to literary storytelling and captures and essential Canadian narrative.
Book Launch for David O'Meara's Chandelier
The Rainbow Bistro
Award-winning local poet David O’Meara launches his debut novel Chandelier, in which he captures one family’s precarious balance between misery and hope.
Ottawa International Writers Festival Proof with Beverley McLachlin
Fairmont Chateau Laurier
From Beverley McLachlin the former Chief Justice of Canada and #1 bestselling author of Full Disclosure, comes Proof, a razor-sharp thriller featuring defense attorney Jilly Truitt as she defends a high-profile mother accused of kidnapping her own child. Hosted by Charlotte Gray.
Book signing for Don Butler's Norman's Conquest
Perfect Books
Don Butler will join us in store to sign copies of his new mystery novel Norman's Conquest.
Plan 99 Poetry Series Double Book Launch
The Manx Pub
Double book launch for Manahil Bandukwala's Heliotropia and Jake Byrne's Daddy, two brand new books of poetry.
Poetry Reading with Susan Atkinson, Margo LaPierre, and Callista Markotich
Perfect Books
Join us in store for a poetry reading with Susan Atkinson and her new book All Things Small, Margo LaPierre's new chapbook, and Callista Markotich's debut collection Wrap in a Big White Towel.
Fawn Parker Book Launch for Hi, It's Me
Perfect Books
Join us in store for a launch of What We Both Know by Fawn Parker, the Scotiabank Giller Prize–longlisted author. Best described as Women Talking meets Study for Obedience, this novel is a stunning depiction of fresh grief.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ The Siege with Ben Macintyre
Southminster United Church
Join us for a deep dive with bestselling author Ben Macintyre on his latest book, The Siege: A Six-Day Hostage Crisis and the Daring Special-Forces Operation that Shocked the World.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ The Knowing with Tanya Talaga
Library and Archives Canada
We are honoured to present an evening with Tanya Talaga, the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of Seven Fallen Feathers. Her new book, The Knowing, is a riveting exploration of her family’s story and a retelling of the history of the country we now call Canada. Hosted by Joy SpearChief-Morris.
October
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ John Newlove Poetry Awards and the Ottawa Poets Laureate
Club SAW
Our evening begins with the 2024 Bywords John Newlove Poetry Awards, followed by readings from the newly appointed City of Ottawa Poets Laureate. Don't miss the launch of Biblical Invasion BC by Nnadi Samuel, the 2023 recipient of the John Newlove Poetry Award. Hosted by Amanda Earl, the evening also features readings by this year’s award recipient and honourable mention—to be announced at the reading—plus music by Princess Unlucky.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ Poetry Cabaret with Amanda Earl, Christine McNair and Sandra Ridley
Club SAW
Following quickly on the heels of the Poets Laureate reading and the John Newlove Poetry Awards, we are pleased to present three giants of Ottawa's poetry community: our poetry cavalcade continues with readings from Amanda Earl, Christine McNair, and Sandra Ridley. Hosted by David Currie.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ Invisible Prisons with Lisa Moore and Jack Whalen
Library and Archives Canada
Join us for an evening of riveting nonfiction as we welcome multi-award-winning author Lisa Moore back to the Festival stage with Invisible Prisons: Jack Whalen's Tireless Fight for Justice. It tells the shocking true story of a teenaged boy who endured abuse and solitary confinement at a reform school in Newfoundland, but survived through grit and redemptive love. Hosted by Sara Power.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ In Winter I Get Up at Night with Jane Urquhart
Southminster United Church
In luminous prose, and with exhilarating nuance and depth, Jane Urquhart charts an unforgettable life in her new novel In Winter I Get Up at Night, while also exploring some of the grandest themes of the twentieth century—colonial expansion, scientific progress, and the sinister forces that seek to divide societies along racial and cultural lines. Hosted by Lucy van Oldenbaneveld.
Ottawa International Writers Festival ~ A Most Extraordinary Ride with Marc Garneau
Library and Archives Canada
Join us for the Ottawa launch of A Most Extraordinary Ride: Space, Politics, and the Pursuit of a Canadian Dream, a captivating and inspiring memoir by Marc Garneau, Canada's first man in space.
