THE FESTIVAL OF LITERARY DIVERSITY 2024
A celebration of diverse authors and storytellers
April 28 to May 5
In-person appearances by Waubgeshig Rice, Louisa Onomé, Alicia Elliott,
Balsam Karam, Leanne Toshiko Simpson, Jessica Johns, and more.
Virtual appearances by Craig Shreve, Farzana Doctor, Téa Mutonji, and others.
BRAMPTON, ON | March 20, 2024 – The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD), Canada’s first festival dedicated to diverse authors and storytellers, today announced the programming lineup for its ninth annual festival running April 28 to May 5, 2024. This year’s festival offers book lovers both virtual and in-person events, with over 35 authors from Canada and around the world taking part. Online events include a Canada Reads panel, featuring the finalists from the CBC reality show in conversation with FOLD Executive Director and author Jael Richardson. In-person events include a panel with best-selling Indigenous authors Waubgeshig Rice, Alicia Elliott and Jessica Johns, and the return of The Great Readception: A Literary Cabaret. All in-person events at The Rose theatre (1 Theatre Ln., Brampton) will include book signings. Tickets to the FOLD are now on sale at thefoldcanada.org.
“In our ninth year of the festival, we chose a theme of FREADOM to represent the mission of FOLD – to engage readers, inspire writers, and provide access to diverse stories and storytellers,” said FOLD Executive Director, Jael Richardson. “But this theme is not only about our mission. It’s also about access to books, it’s about creating the space for writers to write across genres and forms. One way that FOLD has promoted new voices has been to connect yet-unpublished authors with agents and publishers, which has already resulted in major publishing deals. Some of those folks – like Louisa Onomé, who read at our first American Idol-style Writer’s Court – are now FOLD festival panelists – a dream come true. We’ll be delving into the topic of literary freedom in our opening event of the festival, fREADom: Authors on Activism, and keen participants can also be the first to pick up this year’s limited edition FREADOM T-shirt.”
The FOLD’s virtual exhibit hall will once again feature nearly two dozen vendors from community- and publishing-based organizations, many of whom will host roundtable meetups for festival guests on Sunday, April 28.
In addition to hosting digital events and discussions within a state-of-the-art virtual space, the FOLD is the only Canadian literary festival accessible through a mobile app, allowing guests to participate in the festival anytime, anywhere.
Learn more about the powerful authors, poets and storytellers taking part in the 2024 festival, here. The 2024 FOLD Festival Booklist is available here. Books and audiobooks are available for purchase from FOLD bookseller Another Story Bookshop, and the festival’s lead sponsor, Audible.
Signature Events at FOLD 2024
fREADom: Authors on Activism – Sunday, April 28 at 12 p.m. (VIRTUAL)
What is the role of writers in a turbulent world? In this conversation with Wildseed Executive Director Jessica Kirk, authors discuss the role of authors in times of crisis, including how to balance the work of writing with the demands of political engagement and activism.
Canada Reads Reunion 2024 – Sunday, April 28 at 7:30pm ET (Canada Reads Trivia at 7 p.m.)
In this conversation with Executive Director (and Canada Reads superfan) Jael Richardson, four of the 2024 finalists discuss what it was like to have their books selected for the show, and the highs and lows of watching the live debates. This event will be followed by a virtual meet-and-greet where fans can join a roundtable to meet the authors.
PAINT NIGHT AT PAMA with ROSHAN JAMES – Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. (In-person)
Enjoy a memorable night of painting at Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives as the PAMA team lead guests in the creation of canvas art inspired by the poetry collection Pink Moon by Indo-Tibetan artist Roshan James. No experience necessary. 14+. $20/person. Presented in partnership with Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives.
THE GREAT READCEPTION: A LITERARY CABARET – Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. (In-person)
In this popular annual FOLD event, six festival authors read a sample of their work accompanied by a live jazz band. Whether you’re a regular FOLD attendee, a casual or compulsive reader or simply a lover of live entertainment, witness the power of storytelling and the magic of a live musical performance at this collaborative event composed by Brampton’s own Carmen Spada.
FRIGHTFUL INDIGENOUS FICTION – Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. (In-person)
Alicia Elliott, Jessica Johns, and Waubgeshig Rice discuss their new novels, which mix Indigenous storytelling with themes of science fiction and horror. In this much-anticipated panel of best-selling authors, discover the stories and inspiration behind their latest novels that are perfect for your next book club. Presented in partnership with Penguin Random House Canada.
LITERARY HIGH TEA AT ALDERLEA: Romance Writers Edition – Sunday, May 5 at 11 a.m. (In-person) The annual, super-popular FOLD Sunday brunch is back! Don your Sunday best, grab your friends, and join us for a delightful high tea with three incredible romance writers. This special-tea event includes fun trivia with incredible prizes. Tickets on sale only until Sunday, April 28. Presented in partnership with Harlequin. The Alderlea is located at 40 Elizabeth St S, Brampton.
THE MAKING OF RU: FILM SCREENING AND TALK-BACK – Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. (In-person)
Join us for a screening of RU, the film adaptation of the award-winning novel by Kim Thúy, which explores the journey of a wealthy family fleeing Vietnam and landing in Quebec. The film is presented in French with English subtitles and includes a talk back with the author and the film director in partnership with Brampton Arts Organization (BAO).
Learn more at thefoldcanada.org.
The FOLD also runs virtual and in-person school group events including panel discussions and hands-on writing workshops. Educators can register for in-person school events by calling The Rose box office.
Connect & Share: Instagram: @The_Fold | Facebook: @FestivalofLiteraryDiversity
Twitter: @TheFold_ #FOLD2024
Ticket Prices:
Passes
Virtual Pass: $25
Virtual + In-Person Saturday Pass: $45
Virtual + In-Person at the Rose Pass $60 (includes all events at the Rose Theatre; excludes Paint Night at PAMA and Literary High Tea).
Speciality Events
$25 – Paint Night at PAMA with Roshan James (Thursday, May 2);
$20 – The Great Readception: A Literary Cabaret (Friday, May 3);
$10 The Spoken Word Showcase;
$45 Literary High Tea at Alderlea (Sunday, May 5);
$10 Ru Film Screening and Talkback (Sunday, May 5).
Limited Edition FREADOM T-shirt
$30 (Pick up at the Rose May 2-5)
$45 (Shipping Canada-wide)
About The FOLD Foundation | thefoldcanada.org
The FOLD Foundation is a registered Canadian charity that celebrates underrepresented and marginalised authors and storytellers from Canada and around the world through two annual festivals–the Festival of Literary Diversity each May, and the FOLD Kids Book Fest in November–as well as through a number of literary programming initiatives held throughout the year.
The FOLD is generously supported by: Audible Canada; The City of Brampton; Penguin Random House Canada; Simon & Schuster Canada; TD Bank; HarperCollins Canada; Harlequin; ECW Press; Dundurn Press; Literary Press Group, and Sheridan College; with additional support from the Government of Canada; Canada Council for the Arts; Ontario Arts Council; and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Masks are welcome and encouraged at in-person events. FOLD staff and volunteers will wear masks at festival events, except at events where food is served, where masking may not be possible at all times. For more information about crowds and accessibility, visit our in-person venue information page.
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For further media information, please contact:
Katie Saunoris | KSPR | katiesaunoris@gmail.com
Jonisha Lewinson