St. Lawrence Writers Festival returns to Brockville with expanded lineup, new genres and community engagement

After a successful inaugural year, the St. Lawrence Writers Festival (SLWF) is returning to Brockville this September with an expanded lineup of acclaimed Canadian authors, new literary genres and a renewed commitment to creating meaningful connections between readers and writers.

Running from Sept. 10 to 13, 2026 at The Arts Hub Brockville, the all-Canadian festival will bring together bestselling novelists, poets, memoirists and literary voices for four days of intimate talks, panel discussions, workshops and other community events.

For Katherine Hobbs, who serves as the the SLWF Co-Chair, their festival debut in 2025 demonstrated the value of offering programming that appeals to a wide range of literary interests, allowing everyone to share their passion for literature. They took the lessons they learned last year to help shape an even stronger second edition.

“We were so pleased with the success of the inaugural festival and we feel it was due in part to our venue, which allowed for readers and writers to meaningfully connect with one another,” Hobbs told Brockvilleist. “That is why we are continuing to hold the festival at Arts Hub Brockville for 2026.”

As they began planning for the multi-day event, organizers knew they wanted to prioritize diversity, and they believe their new lineup reflects that.

“Having a festival with many genres allowed us to appeal to broader audiences, and we are continuing with that approach this year with new genres such as romance and romantasy and memoirs among many other writing genres,” Hobbs explained.

Festival-goers can look forward to appearances by celebrated authors including Waubgeshig Rice, Wayne Johnston, Terry Fallis, Donna Morrissey, Gary Barwin and Catherine Bush, alongside new emerging and regional writers.

Why Brockville?

While Brockville may be best known for its waterfront charm and historic Railway Tunnel, organizers say the city’s thriving arts community makes it an ideal location for a literary festival of this scale.

“Brockville is a strong cultural hub jammed with performing artists, visual artists, great theatre artists and many local authors, including the award-winning Rod Carley, who is the co-chair of the festival,” Hobbs told Brockvilleist.

According to Hobbs, the enthusiasm generated by last year’s event has extended beyond the festival’s main venue and there are now additional literary activities planned throughout the city, including programming at the Brockville Public Library and local art shop Medium Effort.

The SLWF also hopes to showcase Brockville as a backdrop through a unique experience for guests that showcases the area’s natural beauty.

“We are blessed to be located in the beautiful 1000 Islands Region, which we highlight with having an event on a cruise ship with authors on board for readings and mingling,” Hobbs added.

After hosting a horror-themed cruise during the 2025 festival, organizers are playing around with a very different theme this year. “Last year it was the Horror Cruise — this year, it’s the “The Love Boat Cruise,'” she shared.

Building Connections

Beyond celebrating Canadian literature, organizers see the SLWF as an opportunity to strengthen community connections and promote lifelong learning.

“From a cultural point of view, the St. Lawrence Writers Festival is committed to meaningful engagement for participants, contributors, volunteers and leaders,” Hobbs said.

As previously reported, festival organizers launched a new writing contest this year aimed at inspiring high school students across Leeds and Grenville to share their voices beyond the classroom. The 2026 High School Writing Contest invited local students in Grades 10 to 12 to submit their original short stories, with the opportunity to be published and celebrated as a participant at this year’s festival.

“Through workshops, author talks, storytelling events and intergenerational programming, the festival creates opportunities for people of all ages to share their knowledge, experiences and creativity while remaining actively connected to their community,” Hobbs detailed.

She noted that organizers were particularly focused on ensuring seniors in the community felt represented this year, encouraging them to continue participating in the cultural life of the region.

“The festival recognizes that seniors are among Canada’s most important cultural knowledge keepers,” Hobbs told Brockvilleist. “By providing accessible opportunities for lifelong learning, creative expression and social interaction, the festival contributes to improved well-being, reduced social isolation and stronger community connections.”

History Takes Centre Stage

With a renewed focus on sharing and preserving stories among generations, organizers implemented this belief into one of their key event themes: historical fiction.

“History is on the docket this year with ‘Blast from the Past’ featuring historical novels,” Hobbs noted.

Among the headlining authors for the Blast from the Past’ event is acclaimed Canadian novelist Giles Blunt, whose literary career spans crime fiction, thrillers and historical fiction. Blunt is best known for his award-winning John Cardinal mystery series, several of which were adapted for television.

Blunt’s latest novel, Bad Juliet, marks a departure into historical fiction and psychological suspense. The novel is set in an upstate New York tuberculosis sanitarium in the early 20th century and explores a tragic love story against the backdrop of a challenging period in North American history.

Participants will also hear from Donna Morrissey, an award-winning Newfoundland author widely recognized as one of Canada’s most accomplished storytellers. Morrissey is the author of the nationally bestselling memoir Pluck and seven acclaimed novels. At the festival, she will discuss her new memoir Tell It to the Water and also participate in the historical fiction panel by discussing her novel Rage the Night.

Morrissey and Blunt will be joined at the historical panel by fellow historical fiction writers Lucy E.M. Black and Frances Boyle.

According to Hobbs, the panel will provide readers with an opportunity to engage directly with authors whose work brings the past to life while exploring contemporary themes set within historical settings.

Looking Ahead

As the St. Lawrence Writers Festival enters its second year, organizers hope it will continue growing as both a cultural keystone and a community-building initiative, reinforcing Brockville’s reputation as one of Eastern Ontario’s emerging artistic hubs by attracting visitors from across the province and beyond.

For readers, aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts alike, the SLWF promises four days of conversation, creativity and connection.

To learn more about what else is in store at the 2026 festival, visit https://www.stlawrencewritersfestival.ca/.