The third annual Kawartha Lakes Book Festival for readers, writers and book lovers will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 10:30 AM to 3 PM.

Readers and book lovers are invited to meet authors from all over Ontario, shop for books, listen to readings, and attend workshops.

Events will take place at the Lindsay and Bobcaygeon branches of the Kawartha Lakes Public Library.

Readers are invited to shop for books and hear authors read from their work. Learn about writing with a free writing workshop.

This event is made possible thanks to the Kawartha Lakes Public Library.  

Bobcaygeon: Rhonda Gossen, Matt Kydd, Ian McKechnie, Tom Mohr, Coleen Subasic, J. Stephen Thompson, Cathy Walker

Lindsay: Emma Couette, Altaire Gural, S. A. McCormick, Sandy O’Shea, R. S. Prinzo, Erica Richmond, Lori Jean Rowsell, Val Tobin, Gwen Tuinman, Susan Wadds, Sara Walker-Howe, Chro Zand

Follow our Facebook event for up to the minute information: https://www.facebook.com/share/iS92kQCKKNKTCtnM/

WORKSHOP

In Bobcaygeon at 10:30 AM, Colleen Subasic will deliver the following workshop for writers: Write the senses: In this session, you’ll learn acting sense memory techniques that will help you to write more engaging prose. Whether it’s steamy romantic scenes, or intense action scenes, these techniques allow you to bring your reader into a scene like no other practice can. Admission is free. Space is limited. Please register to reserve your seat at https://forms.gle/ZWXnRdmPuKQASxrU6

AUTHOR PRESENTATIONS

ATTENDING AUTHORS

BOBCAYGEON BRANCH

RHONDA GOSSEN is a former Canadian diplomat and Canadian International Development Agency manager, a consultant to the United Nations and author of The Twelfth of February: Canadian Aid for Gender Equality during the Rise of Violent Extremism in Pakistan. Rhonda worked in Pakistan 3 times over 3 decades and was Head of development cooperation from 2010-2013. She has worked on development and crisis response in more than 15 countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. She writes on international development, humanitarian response and global issues. Her nonfiction book published Sept 15^th from McGill Queen’s University Press, The Twelfth of February: Canadian Aid for Gender Equality during the Rise of Violent Extremism in Pakistan, covers the world of Canadian diplomacy and aid work for women’s rights based on my experiences as an aid worker in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is a story of solidarity and partnership of Canada with the women’s rights and gender equality movement in Pakistan against the backdrop of the rise of the Taliban and their oppressive policies towards women.

MATT KYDD was Anglican minister of a few country churches in Eastern Ontario, a labourer, flatbed truck driver, and forklift operator, and currently he runs a chainsaw, cutting floor joists and loading trusses on tractor trailers. In 2020, Matt released his first solo studio album, Hotel Kawartha. This “alternative folk” album tells the stories of the people and places of the Kawarthas in 12 original songs. His poetry occasionally appeared in the Kawartha Lakes This Week. Matt’s collection of 11 short stories about mental health breakdowns is in its final stages of editing. His collection of poems about his own journey from country minister to drywall delivery guy is available on request. His articles about theology, nature, and art can be found on the St. John’s, Ida, Anglican Church website under “Church Family.” Info about his own music and writing is at mattkydd.com. He lives with his wife and three daughters and his dog in Omemee.

IAN MCKECHNIE has a decade’s worth of experience in the Kawartha Lakes heritage sector. After obtaining an honours Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Trent University in 2013, Ian worked from 2014 through 2020 as a curatorial associate, project coordinator, and interpreter at the Victoria County Historical Society’s Olde Gaol Museum (now Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.) From 2020 through 2023, he served in similar capacities at the Kirkfield & District Historical Society’s museum, and has since 2020 served on the Kawartha Lakes Municipal Heritage Committee. In 2022, Ian completed the Ontario Museum Association’s Certificate in Museum Studies programme and currently works in a variety of freelance gigs as an archivist, writer, and researcher. Since 2017, Ian has been a contributing writer for The Lindsay Advocate magazine. Reflections on Old Victoria County represents his second effort at compiling and editing a book.

TOM MOHR is a co-founder of the Pickering Township Historical Society, and later helped to open the doors of the Victoria County Historical Society’s Olde Gaol Museum (now the Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives) in 2011. Here he served as a Director, and in 2015-2016, as President. A licenced archaeologist, he is also a founding member and currently President of the Peterborough Chapter of the Ontario Archaeological Society.

COLLEEN SUBASIC has worked with writers, publishers and theatres in the United States and Canada. She taps her professional acting training to create unique, insightful writing workshops that inspire and energize. Nine of her plays have been produced across Canada. As managing editor of the book Taking the Stage, she won a Canadian Booksellers’ Award for Most Saleable Publication of the year. For her creative writing, she has received Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council, Nova Scotia arts council grants, as well as a University Graduate Fellowship. Her work has appeared in SubTerrain Magazine, and other Canadian literary publications. She has worked as an editor / dramaturge for small literary presses and Neptune Theatre in Halifax. Through her group The Wordshop, she helps people write their memoirs, works as a story doctor (fiction, non-fiction, screenplay), and on her own writing projects. She’s developing a service to help writers with their manuscripts in progress. She has two master’s degrees: One in creative writing and another in adult education and facilitation.

J. STEPHEN THOMPSON is a retired public health microbiologist, born in Toronto, raised in Parry Sound, Ontario, and now living with his wife in Kirkfield at the edge of the Carden Plain. He has published several books including his most recent novel, Woman Behind Home Plate (2023) and The Aftermath (2012), Lincoln Cathedral (2018), Through a Special Lens (2005). He has also contributed with local authors to several collaborations: Tales from the Raven Cafe (2010), Kawartha Soul Project (2013), Kawartha imagination Project (2015), Kawartha Lakes Stories, Autumn (2021).

CATHY WALKER is a published author with multiple books to her credit and more to come. She loves living on a farm and spending time with her various animals…many of them rescues. Cathy’s books cover a wide range of subjects but mainly deal with myths, legends, romance, and the paranormal. Her Salem Witches series is her best seller currently, though her Arthurian-themed stand-alone follows closely behind. If you like Greek mythology, her fantasy book focuses on Pandora and her quest. As well as being a full-time author, Cathy also designs book covers.

LINDSAY BRANCH

EMMA COUETTE is a Canadian wordsmith born and raised in Lindsay, Ontario. She has written a few award-winning short stories and dabbles in poetry when the inspiration strikes her. Her dreams include travelling the world, being a mom, and owning a small library. She currently has two published series, The Guild Trilogy and The Fidalian Chronicles, with 6 books between them.

ALTAIRE GURAL is a screenwriter, and member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada. She is the author of Forgotten, a YA romantic fantasy that imagines what might happen if Peter Pan returned for Wendy, the one girl he wanted to remember him, only to find she has forgotten. Altaire’s short stories have been published in various anthologies, including Matters of Time and magazines (Luna Station Quarterly, issue #50). She is also a professional acting coach for film and television.

S.A. MCCORMICK resident of Kawartha Lakes, has written over 200 poems and published three novels. Ontario Poetry Society says, “McCormick’s first full collection of poetry, Days in Green and Blue is composed mostly of her published works from the past decade. Shirley’s poems are inspired by relationships with nature, self and each other, from the personal to the political, and have appeared in various Canadian journals, anthologies and magazines. About her poetry, Robert Priest commented in 2000, “A strong and welcome new voice.””

SANDY O’SHEA has always stood out. From an early age, she was labeled as “too loud,” “selfish,” and “unladylike.” Despite her vibrant personality, she often felt hidden, like a bold painting concealed behind a dull curtain. As she entered adulthood, the pressure to conform only grew stronger. But it was the 1980s, and the music, makeup, power suits, and casual encounters made it all fun for a while. Sandy pushed through work with little sleep, but as the excitement turned into routine, she once again felt small and invisible. She couldn’t pinpoint what was holding her back. In her memoir From Invisible to Technicolor, Sandy invites readers along her transformative journey of self-discovery, sexual awakening, and empowerment. She learns that prioritizing her own happiness and dreams isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Through challenges and revelations, she sheds the expectations placed on her by society and family, finally embracing her authentic self in all its vivid complexity. Now celebrated as a holistic sexpert and intimacy coach, Sandy is the author of Let’s Talk About Sex with Sandy, an educational guide to health and relationships, alongside several erotic novellas and short stories. Her life took an unexpected turn after the publication of From Invisible to Technicolor, but she continues to evolve. Her forthcoming sequel, Living in Technicolor, is anticipated in 2025.

R. S. PRINZO resides in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Canada and is a mother, homeopath and author of her first children’s picture book entitled “Millie and Marty Muldoon Miss Out.” Upon receiving an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, she spent 26 years employed as a research scientist with a Fortune 500 healthcare company, where she authored several, internationally recognized scientific publications.  Her interest in childhood education combined with her vast experience in scientific research, led her to discover how crucial critical thinking skills are for a child’s development, which, unfortunately, are not usually embedded as thoroughly as they should be into teaching practices. As a result, her writing uniquely combines principles of critical thinking along with themes of curiosity, family dynamics and understanding daily life’s simple pleasures in an investigative and fun manner.  When she is not writing stories to help children become better thinkers, she enjoys reading, traveling with her family, baking with too much sampling and playing board games with her children where she usually suffers humiliating defeat.

ERICA RICHMOND is the author of three books, including Pixie and the Bees, a whimsical tale about learning to trust yourself while living with an invisible illness; Pixie and the Fox, a story about remembering that you get to decide who you are; and The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19, a collection of mail art from around the world that chronicles the Covid-19 pandemic. Through her business, Open Sky Stories, Erica leads a variety of workshops and speaking engagements focused on creative unblocking, the importance of sharing our stories, and overcoming our inner critic. As a writing mentor, she helps aspiring writers find their voice and navigate the challenges of the creative process. Erica lives in Peterborough, Ontario, finding joy and beauty in her messy and imperfect life. Follow her on social media @OpenSkyStories and visit her website: openskystories.ca.

LORI JEAN ROWSELL is a multi-genre author from Omemee. The script adaptation of her debut young adult novel, No Other Love, has been optioned for film.

VAL TOBIN is a Canadian author known for her work in speculative and romance fiction. With a background in computer programming and technical writing, Tobin began pursuing a career as a full-time writer in 2010. She has written over a dozen novels, including The Experiencers and The Hunted. Her writing is characterized by a mix of science fiction and horror themes, as well as a focus on psychological and supernatural elements. Her ability to craft suspenseful and character-driven stories has drawn comparisons to authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Outside of her writing, Tobin is an active member of the Canadian writing community. She has volunteered for the Writers’ Community of York Region and has participated in various events. Tobin continues to captivate readers with her imaginative storytelling and unique perspective.

GWEN TUINMAN, author of Unrest (Random House Canada) is descended from Irish tenant farmers and English Quakers. Her storytelling influences include soul searching, an interest in bygone days, and the complexities of living a life. Fascinated by the landscape of human tenacity, she writes about women navigating the social restrictions of their era. Gwen lives with her husband on a small rural homestead in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes region.

SUSAN WADDS has been published in The Blood pudding, Room, Quagmire, Waterwheel Review, and many more. The first two chapters of her debut novel, What the Living Do (Regal House Publishing, 2024), won the Lazuli Group’s Prose Contest, and were published in Azure Magazine. A graduate of the Humber School for Writers, Susan is a certified Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) workshop facilitator and in 2016 she won the Writer’s Union of Canada’s Prose Contest. She lives on a quiet river on Williams Treaty land in traditional Anishinaabe territory with an odd assortment of humans and cats. 

SARA WALKER-HOWE was born and raised in Lindsay, Ontario. Her non-fiction book, Historic Citizens of Kawartha Lakes, won the 2023 Kawartha Lakes Osprey Heritage Award for Publication and Research. When not chasing down forgotten pieces of history, she writes urban fantasy as Sara C. Walker. She has written eight novels and edited four anthologies. Her fiction has been published by Exile Editions, onspec magazine, Tyche Books and many others.

CHRO ZAND is a Kurdish Canadian freelance writer who currently lives in Toronto. She is the author of, Chro is My Name. her memoir published in 2022. She has been a Certified Language Instructor by TDSB since 2003 and is the first who teach the Kurdish language. She has been a certified interpreter and translator with Canadian and American clients since 2000. She fell in love with words, and writing short stories became her first focus. Chro is fascinated by design and loves music. Her green thumb and charming garden transform tears into laughter as she longs for new days to come.