The Word On The Street is the first chance to find out about the best new Canadian books. It kicks off the fall book season.

There are more than 200 authors appearing at the massive free festival.

Bestsellers Stage

Kicking off this year’s festival with the best eats on the street is James Cunningham. The stars are out as headliner and Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author Joseph Boyden presents his eagerly awaited novel The Orenda, Big Chill star Meg Tilly discusses her off-screen life as a sought-after YA author, and Scotiabank Giller Prize winner Austin Clarke debuts his first poetry collection. Rounding out the day are sessions with award-winning author and economist Chrystia Freeland and business expert Bruce Poon Tip, CEO of G Adventures.

Great Books Marquee

The place to be for the most exciting and dynamic books of the year, this venue features a variety of spring and fall titles including fiction, non-fiction, short stories and poetry. Featured authors at the Great Books Marquee include Brian Fawcett, Stacey May Fowles, Ann Ireland, Nicole Lundrigan, Chad Pelley, Robert Priest, and Michael Winter.

Nothing-but-the-Truth Tent

The Nothing-but-the-Truth Tent is back to showcase the best in non-fiction. Join us for sessions on an amazing range of books, from history to memoir, current affairs to science, there is truly something for everyone! Featured authors include Carolyn Abraham, Adam LeithGollner, Charles MacPherson and David Tsubouchi.

Remarkable Reads Tent

Random House of Canada Ltd. showcases some of favourite, and soon-to-be favourite, authors for children, teens, and adults. Visit the Remarkable Reads Tent for presentations by Marthe Jocelyn, Teresa Toten, Colin Mochrie, Linwood Barclay, and Thomas King. As well as previous finalists for the ScotiabankGiller Prize, Anthony De Sa and Mary Swan.

Sony Reader Lounge

The Sony Reader Lounge features the latest innovations in e-reading including hardware, mobile applications and software. Guests are invited to engage with Sony experts to learn about the exciting future of digital reading in a relaxed, interactive setting.

Wordshop Marquee

Enjoy a wide range of informative lectures for aspiring and experienced writers, hosted by the Humber School for Writers, whose alumni have gone on to publish over 950 books in the last 20 years. This venue will offer a day of writing workshops, covering the craft of writing and career strategies for aspiring writers. Join top-notch instructors include Terry Fallis and Cathy Marie Buchanan.

This-is-not-the-Shakespeare-Stage

On offer are genre-based, interactive programming sessions showcasing the great young adult books and authors that Canada has to offer, including new fiction from Megan Crewe and Chantel Guertinas well as fan favourites such as Don Calame. This venue brings a fresh, fun and youthful vibe to the festival and is home to the popular Open Mic. Hour, with original work by teens, 13-19.

Toronto Book Awards Tent

Toronto Book Awards finalists Kamal Al-Solaylee, Patrick Cummins and Shawn Micallef, Kevin Irie, Aga Maksimowska, and Katrina Onstadwill all read from their nominated works. Who will the winner be? Also, don’t miss a special programming hour featuring Diaspora Dialogues authors.

Toronto Star Tent

The Toronto Star Tent offers thought-provoking presentations from some of the Star’s most popular writers. Featured presenters include Robert Benzie, Martin Regg Cohn, Robyn Doolittle, Irene Gentle, Tim Harper, Chantal Hébert, David Rider, Thomas Walkom, and Moira Welsh.

Vibrant Voices of Ontario Tent

This venue celebrates the amazing fiction, non-fiction, and poetry produced by writers and publishers from Ontario. Join us for readings and thoughtful discussion from a vast array of authors, including Catherine Bush, Don Gillmor, David Macfarlane, and Driving Radical Change, a panel hosted by MP Olivia Chow, featuring authors Charlie Angus, Andrea Curtis, Sarah Liss and Helen Burstyn.

KIDSTREET PROGRAMMING

Children’s Activity Tent

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This venue will feature creative crafts and interactive presentations inspired by new children’s books, plus music and a cartooning workshop. Children can enjoy fun working with felt, plasticine, and dancing and also using the brain-teasers and puzzle-solving skills used in forensics.

TD Children’s Literature Tent

On hand are some of Canada’s most renowned children’s authors and illustrators, including nominees for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. Featured authors include Helaine Becker, Heather Hartt-Sussman, Monica Kulling, Andrew Larsen, Ruth Ohi, Patricia Storms, Kevin Sylvester, Jan Thornhill, and Andrew H. Vanderwal. Join author Loris Lesynski and illustrator Michael Martchenko for a celebration of Boy Soup, chosen as this year’s TD Grade One Book Giveaway and distributed free to more than 500,000 students.

TVOKids Stage

Live at the TVOKids Stage, kids can sing and dance with The Reading Rangers, help TVOKids hosts Kara, Drew, and Dalmar pull off a big surprise for Gisèle, and harmonize with musical guests Royal Wood and The Strumbellas. Families can keep an eye out for Polkaroo and enter to win a trip for four to Costa Rica from Collette Vacations.

The what, where, and how

ATMs: Three ATMs are conveniently located on the site. Check the festival map for details.

Author Signing Tents: Featured authors will be ready to personalize a book after their presentations. Copies of all featured books will be for sale. Check the map for locations.

Bike Valet Parking: The festival has once again partnered with Cycle Toronto to provide festival visitors with a complementary bike valet service (proudly powered by AutoShare). The service will be located at Queen’s Park Cres. E. at College Street. Festival patrons are encouraged to leave their cars at home and use pedal power to make their way to The Word On The Street.

Festival Program: Find information about more than 150 readings, workshops and performances, plus a sneak peek at this year’s hot titles. Get your copy at any information booth.

Festival Swag: The Word On The Street is a not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of its community to bring the free event to Toronto each year. Sales of all merchandise, such as reusable tote bags, support the production of the festival. You can visit any information booth to browse the selection of merchandise.

Information Booths: Go to any of the five information booths located through the festival grounds and you’ll be assisted by a friendly volunteer.

KidStreet Festival Guide: This fun guide details the festival’s family friendly programming and activities. Find it at any information booth.

Lost and Found: Come to the Volunteer Tent on Queen’s Park Cres. W. and volunteers can assist you.

Food Market: Hungry? Visit any of the food vendors located throughout The Word On The Street’s festival site. Organizers say there’s something for every taste. You can check out the eats offered at food trucks parked by the south end of Queen’s Park, near College Street. At 12 p.m., James Cunningham’s will make a presentation on his book about Eat Street on the Bestsellers Stage.