2024 Festival Schedule

An urgent and illuminating examination of the unrelenting housing crisis Canadians find ourselves facing, by Balsillie Prize finalist and CBC Radio host Gregor Craigie, Our Crumbling Foundation offers real-life solutions from around the world and hope for new housing innovation in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles. A featured conversation with journalist Tim Querengesser.

Ten tellers. Five minutes. One winner. Let the game of truth begin! Sign-up at 7pm, slam at 7:30pm. Free to attend; arrive early! Space is limited.

Discover four of the year's most buzzed about books in this not-to-be-missed showcase. Wide-ranging and vital in subject and style, get a sizzling sampling of these must read titles!

One of the festival's most-loved events, this year's Memoir Hour features three of the year's most exceptional reads. Deeply moving and complex, each of these books offer compelling glimpses into the experience of life after loss. Moderated by Rayanne Haines.

Join the CLC for a Reading + Conversation and walk with Two-Spirit Métis artist and waterwalker Marjorie Beaucage. Marjorie will read from her bilingual (English and French Michif) poetic memoir leave some for the birds -- movements for justice and lead a walk down to the kisiskâciwanisîpiy (North Saskatchewan River) later in the afternoon. All are welcome to participate in both events or just one.

Reading + Conversation 12 - 1 PM, Friday, October 18th Henderson Hall (Rutherford Library South 1-17, University of Alberta)

Water Walk teachings: a walk to the kisiskâciwanisîpiy 3 - 5 PM, Meet at Henderson Hall

The Knowing is the unfolding of Canadian history unlike anything we have ever read before. Award-winning and bestselling Anishinaabe author Tanya Talaga retells the history of this country as only she can—through an Indigenous lens, beginning with the life of her great-great grandmother Annie Carpenter and her family as they experienced decades of government- and Church-sanctioned enfranchisement and genocide. Deeply personal and meticulously researched, The Knowing is a seminal unravelling of the centuries-long oppression of Indigenous People that continues to reverberate in these communities today.

A unique opportunity to "check out" human books - gather in intimate spaces to hear about the lives of a diverse set of authors, and to reflect, write, and even present a few words about your experience. This event was envisioned and organized by LitFest's 2024 Guest Curator, Mila Bongco-Philipzig.

These days travel writing is increasingly layered and multi-dimensional. This panel will feature some of the most exciting new works in the travel genre, which go beyond the expected and offer meaningful insights into our time.

Fashion and style icon Jeanne Beker delivers an uplifting and inspiring memoir that walks us through a wardrobe of memory, one article of clothing at a time. Jeanne Beker’s name is synonymous with style and grace in fashion. Recognized by many as the beloved host of Fashion Television and The New Music, Jeanne has spent an entire career interviewing celebrities and uncovering their most private selves. Now, in Heart on My Sleeve, Jeanne reveals who she is in an all-new way. In conversation with beloved broadcaster Stacey Brotzel.

The spark of a personal essay can come from anywhere and evolve into anything. A small personal anecdote, absurd observation, or universal experience can become a powerful anchor or lens as we pull back and examine other topics and themes. This masterclass looks at finding that spark, different ways essays can take and change shape, and the creative and substantive impact of when they do.

Join S. Bear Bergman - advice columnist, educator, and queer dad with fifteen years of parenting under his belt - for a wide-ranging conversation sparked by his new work, Special Topics in Being a Parent - A Queer and Tender Guide to Things I've Learned About Parenting, Mostly the Hard Way, a witty and insightful collection of child-rearing tips for those in search of realistic ideas about screens and lunches that don't come with a side order of judgment. Presented in partnership with the Shelley Milner Children's Library, this is a family-friendly event. Moderated by therapist and community advocate Kristy Harcourt.

As an activist, community organizer and social worker, Farzana Doctor has preached self-care to hundreds of people struggling with burnout and exhaustion. But for years she couldn’t manage to take her own advice. 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life is a practical guide to self-care and community care, written for helpers—the caregivers, activists, community leaders, mental health and medical professionals who are the first to help others, but the last to seek help themselves. A continental brunch will be served at the event.

All political journalism, to some degree, depends on access to people in power, which involves a tradeoff. Leaning too heavily on access necessarily results in self-censorship while writing what people in power don't want to hear will limit your opportunities to ask them the tough questions. In this workshop, Jeremy Appel, author of Kenneyism: Jason Kenney's Pursuit of Power, explains how to tell the story when the main people involved won't pick up your calls.

Experience a unique blend of art, literature, and music as award-winning Alberta magazine The Polyglot launch their thirteenth issue, MANAIG, in partnership with the Philippine Edmonton Events and Arts Society (PHIDEAS).