Community event

The 10th anniversary of the little festival by the sea that packs a big punch, showcasing Canadian literature at its finest. Tickets available at the link above.

2025 Schedule

Thu. Nov. 6, 1:00 PM
Bluenose Academy
Children’s Event
Theresa Meuse

Thu. Nov. 6, 7:00 PM
Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance
Poetry in Motion
Afua Cooper, Andre Fenton

Fri. Nov. 7, 4:00 PM
Big Boat Shed
Across the Water
Katherine Knight, James MacDuff & Mirriam Mweemba

Fri. Nov. 7, 7:00 PM
St. John’s Parish Hall
Story of Our Lives
Wayne Johnston, Helen Knott. Moderated by Jeff Mercer

Sat. Nov. 8, 2:00 PM
Lunenburg School of the Arts
Home Town Tales
N.L. Blandford, Jan Fancy Hull, Bryn Pottie

Sat. Nov. 8, 7:00PM
St. John’s Parish Hall
Captain Canada Meets Joe Canada
Charlie Angus, Jeff Douglas

Seventh Annual AfterWords Literary Festival
Saturday November 1 to Sunday November 9

Writers and readers meet at the seventh annual AfterWords Literary Festival, with a full week of events in venues around Kjipuktuk/Halifax.

From our opening Kids’ Day/Journée jeunesse at Halifax Central Library, to our closing night conversation with radio host and best-selling author Terry O’Reilly at The Bus Stop Theatre, from brunch at The Carleton with David A. Robertson and Jesse Wente to a rousing talk about poetry with Sue Goyette, Billy-Ray Belcourt, and katherena vermette, from a screening of a new documentary by poet Asiah Sparks to a midweek party at Cafe Lara—this year’s festival brings together more than fifty writers in Halifax for readings, conversations, workshops, and more. Tickets are on sale now. Find the full lineup and buy tickets on our website https://afterwordsliteraryfestival.com/.

The AfterWords Literary Festival is sponsored by University of King’s College, Starboard Wealth Planners, Dalhousie University, The Halifax Independent School, and Rosie Porter Realtor, along with funders J&W Murphy Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, Canada, Nova Scotia, Arts Nova Scotia, Halifax. None of this work would be possible without these amazing supporters.

BMO Room

Join host Gillian Turnbull, Director of Writing & Publishing at the University of King’s College, in conversation with Michelle Hebert, author of Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.

A darkly humorous family saga set in Nova Scotia about a young woman coming of age in a family that believes it’s cursed, for fans of Emma Straub and Lesley Crewe.
Kitten Love’s family is haunted by the memory of her teenaged aunt, Nerida, who died just days before Kitten’s birth in 1970. Her mother, Queena, believes the family is cursed, and she’s determined not to let disaster strike again. She won’t let Kitten out of her sight—especially to visit the beaches that surround the town. She’s built a bomb shelter to protect against Soviet attack, and she’s desperate to protect her husband, Stubby, from the fatal and mysterious Love Heart.

Come meet Bee Stanton and get a personally autographed copy of Atlantic Ghosts and Where to Find Them.

While you’re here, grab a strong cup of coffee and chat with Bee about her artistic process.

We’ll screen a new mini-documentary about the life and work of 2025 Heritage Day honouree Nora Bernard, and then Shelagh Rogers will lead a panel discussion about reconciliation—how we move forward together, meaningfully. Andrea Currie, Ma’lglit Pelletier, and Rebecca Thomas will join us for this vital conversation. Then, you’re invited to enjoy some light catering and conversation, as you process what you’ve seen and heard. This is a free event, open to all, presented in partnership with Halifax Central Library, and with the support of the Nova Scotia Department of Culture, Communities, Tourism, and Heritage.

Grab a drink and join a lively discussion about our October book club pick: Lesley Crewe’s newest novel, The Spirit of Scatarie.

Please register for free on our Eventbrite page, or swing by day of. Just bring yourself, your copy of The Spirit of Scatarie, and your thoughts!

November is still Novel Writing Month! Join us in a workshop on how to prepare for the challenge ahead: to write an entire novel within 30 days. Sounds steep? It’s possible! We’ll have lots of tools and tips to help make a plan, map out the days, schedule breaks, and stay motivated.

Hosted by Jonathan Cheung (Appetite for Books)
Featuring Lesley Chesterman, Janice Tiefenbach, Aimee Wimbush-Bourque, Jean-Sébastien Giguère, and Christine Flynn

Ever wondered how recipes become stories? Join this lively and insightful panel of acclaimed cookbook authors and chefs as they share their creative process — from the spark of inspiration to the final page.

Explore how food writing captures culture, memory, and emotion, and how storytelling continues to shape the way we cook and connect. The discussion will close with a book signing and a chance to meet the authors behind some of Canada’s most celebrated cookbooks.