Short and Sweet: The Power of Short Fiction - The FOLD
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Short and Sweet: The Power of Short Fiction

Session Description

Big impact. Fewer pages. In this virtual panel discussion, authors Marty Chan, Mahtab Narsimhan, and Julie Thompson explore the craft and creative possibilities of short fiction in this timely panel conversation. From flash fiction to short stories, they discuss how this form challenges writers to be precise, bold, and intentional — while giving readers stories they can finish in a single sitting. Ideal for classroom exploration, this conversation highlights how short fiction strengthens critical thinking and sharpens reading and writing skills.

Featured Speaker(s)

Headshot of an East Asian Canadian man wearing glasses and red shirt holding a skull with spikes on it.
Marty Chan
Bio
Mahtab Narsimhan_Headshot
Mahtab Narsimhan
Bio
Julie Thompson_Headshot
Julie Thompson
Bio
Jonelle St Aubyn_headshot
Jonelle St Aubyn
Bio
Headshot of an East Asian Canadian man wearing glasses and red shirt holding a skull with spikes on it.

Marty Chan

Marty Chan (he/him) is a playwright, kids author, TV screenwriter, and storyteller. He’s best known for his hit YA thriller Haunted Hospital. His early reader fantasy novel, Dragon on the Loose, won the OWL Award for Elementary Students and received an Honour Book nod from the Forest of Reading. Marty has been a professional writer for over 40 years, but he still feels like a newbie. He loves cats, stage magic, and jelly doughnuts. He works and lives in Edmonton with his wife Michelle and their two cats, Hugo and Minnie.

Mahtab Narsimhan_Headshot

Mahtab Narsimhan

Mahtab Narsimhan (she/her) is an award-winning author of twenty-five critically acclaimed books in the fantasy, horror, mystery, and contemporary genres, and is published internationally. Mahtab writes for all ages, from picture books to young adult novels. Many have been shortlisted for the Silver Birch, Red Maple, SYRCA, MYRCA, Best Books for Teen and YA, and the CLA Book of the Year, Children’s Awards. Her debut novel, The Third Eye, won the Silver Birch Fiction Award in 2009. Two recent books are recipients of the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Award. She is committed to representation and inclusivity in her work.

Julie Thompson_Headshot

Julie Thompson

Julie Thompson (she/her) is an award-winning author who creates stories that celebrate the diverse lived experiences of children. Inspired by Black Boy Joy, she hopes her books spark meaningful dialogue within families and communities. Her debut picture book, When Isaac Hears the Rain, was named a 2025 Charlotte Huck Recommended Bookreflective of stories that inspire wonder and imagination in readers. Her middle-grade novel Just Kickin’ It was also named a CBC 2025 YA Spring Recommended Read. Julie is the author of several children’s books, with her board book, releasing in April 2026 and another middle-grade novel in 2027.

Jonelle St Aubyn_headshot

Jonelle St Aubyn

With a Bachelor of Kinesiology and Bachelor of Education, Jonelle St Aubyn (she/her) has had an unconventional path to becoming the teacher librarian at Louise Arbour Secondary School in Brampton. She began her teaching career with the Peel District School Board as a Health and Physical Education and Family Studies teacher. Knee surgeries led her to transition to the School Library Learning Commons in 2015. She is the recent recipient of the OSSTF District 19 Inspiring Moments Campaign, the Teachers Life Exceptional Educator Award, The OSSTF Excellence in Education Award, the Network of Black Studies Educators Award and the Angela Thacker Memorial Award.

The FOLD is a remarkable and wonderful event for authors and attendees alike. What an amazing community, dedicated to the vital need for inclusive stories and the critical role they play in building a better world.

Soraya Chemaly, author of Rage Becomes Her

Field Guide to the North American Teenager is my first novel and FOLD was my first Canadian literary festival. While American and Canadian culture overlap quite a bit, especially when it comes to bookshelves, Canadian literature is unique and I was very heartened by to be embraced by that community I consider home despite residing in the US. It was a homecoming I didn’t know I needed!

Ben Philippe, author of Field Guide to the North American Teenager

The Festival of Literary Diversity was an absolute joy–the organizers thought of *everything* and by anticipating authors’ needs, they freed us to focus on connecting with the audience and each other. There was no pretension, no posturing–just very genuine conversations with invested writers and engaged readers.

Zetta Elliott, author of Dragons in a Bag

I have been to a lot of writers festivals and the FOLD is definitely near the top of the list of those I want to be invited back to.

Harold Johnson, author of the memoirs Clifford and Firewater

Being part of such a clearly diverse, inclusive and mutually respectful group was thrilling and inspiring: a glimpse of a better world.

Kathy Page, author of Dear Evelyn, winner of the 2018 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize

Wherever I go in Canada and find another writer of colour, we eventually end up gushing about how great the FOLD is, how by normalizing diversity it liberates us to talk to audiences about craft. It’s hard to imagine the literary landscape returning to a prehistoric pre-FOLD era.

Ian Williams, Author of the Giller Prize-winning novel Reproduction

FOLD is a festival experience unlike any other I’ve had. The FOLD team strive to create a space that’s welcoming and engaging, while allowing for curiosity, ingenuity and the fostering of real community – and they succeed, every year.

Alicia Elliott, author of A Mind Spread Out On The Ground

The FOLD is one of the most important literary events on this continent. By focusing on diverse voices and giving authors space to share their stories and speak their truths, it is revolutionizing the writing and storytelling realm as we know it.

Waubgeshig Rice, author of Moon Of The Crusted Snow

Being part of the FOLD community has provided me with a strong sense of belonging. Sharing diverse stories and listening to different voices that broaden my understanding of the world has impacted me as a person and motivated me as a writer.

Ann Y.K. Choi, author of Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety

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