Queer Books

Join us for a winter walk through some great book stores in Toronto. We will meet in near the [Dufferin Subway Station](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8qfK6SXowHoRRfRc6) (north east end of the Bloor St. W and Dufferin St intersection). Then we will visit the following book stores by walking to them through the (thawing) winter streets 1. [The Monkey's Paw](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xuPmjbCQrsQi4wS28) 2. [Doug Miller Books](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gcwYFUixHrEceehS7) 3. [BMV Books](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ETHNifRbmGcgRyrZ7) 4. [Balfour Books](https://maps.app.goo.gl/etWMdx8LwEGtv8Lr8) 5. [Re: Reading Used Books](https://maps.app.goo.gl/qCaXFuFU7L4NHWcJ7) The entire route can be found [here](https://maps.app.goo.gl/vjVUAfjCJjhep2ad7) You can get coffee in one of these shops or somewhere along the route (Click the links above for google maps location) Approx distance is 10 km **Assumption of Preparedness:** You agree to come prepared for the event with clothing, gloves, cap, and shoes as appropriate for the weather and conditions as prevalent on the day of the event. It is also assumed that if you need to leave the event midway through the event, then you will inform the organizer before doing so.

**☕ The Coffee Club at Wychwood** Toronto’s first-of-its-kind Saturday morning coffee and community meetup. Join a group of locals in their **late 20s to 40s** who love good coffee, connection, and conversation. Each weekend we meet at **Wychwood Farmers Market**, grab a coffee, and sometimes **walk to a second café or park** for an easy chat and stroll. It’s a relaxed way to **meet new people**, **build friendships**, and discover **Toronto’s hidden coffee gems** — all while starting your weekend grounded and inspired.

Join us for our in-person Saturday critique session! We'll be meeting in the basement of **The Blake House**, which is located near Wellesley and Jarvis, about a 10-minute walk from Wellesley Station or Sherbourne Station. **In respect to the Blake House for hosting us, we humbly request that attendees purchase a meal, dessert, or drink if you are able to do so.** Feel free to bring in a piece of writing up to **2000 words** for reading and critique. Please bring paper copies so that listeners can easily follow and make notes. Dedicated listeners are equally welcome. In larger groups, please be mindful of giving everyone a fair chance to speak. Our group values and meeting structure can be found here: [https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines](https://www.torontosffwriters.com/sff-writer-rules-and-guidelines) We ask that writers provide content warnings when necessary. To limit the spread of diseases, we kindly ask that you stay home if you're feeling sick. We will be here every week! **\*\*We support the hard work and effort that goes into writing fiction, and do not condone the use of AI to replace the creative process.\*\*** And, that's everything! See you there!

Real people making real connections. Our event invites black singles and people who want to meet black singles.

We’re meeting up to finally stop talking about it and just power through our designs together. Whether you’re sketching out your first ideas or deep in the "crunch" of building your gear, come hang out and get it done. We'll be trading tips and making progress, one cup of coffee and one hot glue burn at a time. We will be meeting in the quiet area of the Scarborough Civic Centre Library.

Real people making real connections.

**It's ALIVE!** This interactive workshop invites writers to **step away from the page** and into a **hands-on creative process** using playdough to design original monsters, aliens, or creatures. Participants will **sculpt their own creations**, then collaborate with others by responding to and building on each other’s designs. The workshop also includes **writing a brief history or micro-short story for each creation** to flesh out its personality, culture, and purpose. By creating characters in a **visual and tactile medium**, writers can unlock new ideas, deepen believability, and discover details they might not find through writing alone. **Suggested donation of $5 to cover the cost of workshop supplies**

**What would it be like...** ...To spend four nights and five days in a peaceful place on a river, surrounded by thoughtful lesbians who are curious about themselves and about you, building real community and friendships in a safe, supportive environment? To feel accepted exactly as you are, whether you're in your 30s or your 80s, or anywhere in between... whether you've been out for decades, or are just coming out now... and have fun, go deep, *and* gain skills for your life as a woman or non-binary person who loves women? Dancing. Walking. Swimming. Sun-bathing. Canoeing. Playing conversation games that help you really get to know people. And attending what some members have called "lesbian university," with classes that help you make lasting changes to create the dating and love life you really want. *For many lesbians, a retreat like this one is a dream come true, a chance to break out of isolation and make connections that will last for the rest of your life.* **Here's what a few recent participants have said.** Our March 2026 retreat sold out so fast that we added this January retreat, and we're making it available to women\* new to Conscious Girlfriend Academy, as well as existing members. (All of our work is open to all self-identified women and adjacent non-binary people who love women, or want to. Late-in-lifers are warmly welcome!) **[For more info or to sign up, visit our retreat page here.](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat)**[ ](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat) The Academy is a truly unique LGBTQ space, both online and offline. In a world that sometimes seems to have gone mad, full of disconnection and dysfunction, we create an oasis in our own lives and for the lesbian/queer community. We're the authors of the Amazon bestselling book Conscious Lesbian Dating & Love ([start reading the book for free right here](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/book)) and have changed lives in 25 countries. Academy work is based on cutting-edge neuroscience and attachment research, combined with decades of real-life lesbian and queer hard experience. Our teachers and coaches have been through many trainings, including the "school of hard knocks," and we're dedicated to making YOUR journey easier. Together, we shift isolation... into connection. We transmute heartbreak... into healing and empowerment. We help lesbians and queer women create the friendships and love we've always wanted. And in the process, we make life better for all of us :) Learn more at[ www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com ](www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com)\-\- and visit soon if you can\, because annual memberships are on sale for 20% off through December 1\. Wondering if we're the right fit for you?[ Visit our retreat page](https://www.consciousgirlfriendacademy.com/lesbian-retreat) to learn how to schedule a free 1:1 chat with our outreach director so you can get better-acquainted with our program. Do it today, and tomorrow you'll be glad you did :)

This month we’ll look at cantos 25 - 29, with emphasis on Ulysses and Muhammed. These cantos are pretty meaty; major characters include Ulysses, Muhammad, Bertran de Born, and, indirectly, Boniface VIII. What is the sin of the evil counsellors? How do the sinners of canto 27 differ from those of canto 26? What is the significance of the appearance of Guido da Montefeltro? How does Dante step up his attack on the Church? What is the impact of Bertran de Born?

Have a completed manuscript and ready to take the next step? Need to polish up your submission materials? Curious about the submission process for trad publishing? Then you'll want to join our query letter and synopsis workshop. The meeting will run the same way as our usualy Saturday in-person meetups, but we'll be reviewing query letters and synopses instead of actual stories. Feel free to bring in a query letter, a synopsis, or both. Not sure what any of this means? In trad publishing, with few exceptions, publishers don't accept unsolicited manuscripts (which means you can't submit to them without an agent). But before an agent will even read your full manuscript, they usually ask that you send a query letter, possibly along with a synopsis and sample pages. A query letter is basically a one-page pitch for your book, providing all the relevant stats (genre, age category, word count), a brief summary of the premise meant to entice them into reading more, and a bio. See here for a more detailed breakdown: https://janefriedman.com/query-letters/ A synopsis outlines all the major beats/plot points of your novel, including the ending. They can range anywhere from one page to a few pages (usually on the shorter side), depending on the agent. See here for more details: https://janefriedman.com/how-to-write-a-novel-synopsis/ We'll start the session with some time for questions and then launch straight into the critique, so come prepared! Listeners are also welcome. We'll be meeting at the MaRS Building in the usual writing sprint spot (up the stairs near Teabot). Note: This process only applies to traditional publishing, but all are welcome to attend. If there's enough demand, more of these will be scheduled in the future.

library has over 200 copies in all formats

Nancy Huston, Canadienne anglophone, vit à Paris depuis de nombreuses années et compose une oeuvre qu'elle écrit en français ou en anglais et qu'elle traduit elle-même dans l'autre langue. C'est dire si elle connaît de l'intérieur le profond sentiment de trouble qui naît de la situation d'exilé - d'un pays, d'une langue. Nord perdu propose une réflexion, que l'auteur illustre de son expérience et de ses lectures, sur la difficile - et parfois douloureuse - perception de soi à laquelle est confronté tout expatrié: ni enraciné, ni déraciné, multiple à jamais, mais en perpétuelle quête d'identité, à la recherche d'un point de repère, son "Nord perdu".. Douze France est un portrait ludique et amoureux en douze tableaux, des plus sympathiques aux plus agaçants, du pays d'élection de la romancière.

Come join us at the lovely, well-lit, and cozy Theatre Centre Cafe for an hour and a half of silent writing (on whatever writing projects you will)! After silent writing is done, feel free to stay and chat or go as you please. If you are late you are welcome to join us (quietly and not disruptively). Please note this is a casual event, and we will NOT be critiquing each other’s work. **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: #TheTheatreCentre (no password, open access) Travel / Parking info: There is paid street parking as well as Green P underground parking located at 45 Abell St (2 mins walk from the venue) . Venue Guidelines: Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

Join us for our January Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *Can't Spell Treason Without Tea* by Rebecca Thorne in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Join us for our February Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *A Master of Djinn* by P. Djèlí Clark in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**Calling all queer crochet enthusiasts;** I am a visual artist located in Columbus that is searching for people who may want to gather while also participating in creating a piece of artwork. My goal is to spend time enjoying one another’s company while making a work of art that will be displayed within our community. I plan to teach people to crochet (if unfamiliar) while also inviting current fiber artists to join us for some much-needed social interaction. There are no expectations from those who attend, materials will be included, and any amount of participation is welcome! If you have a favorite crochet hook or current project you are welcome to bring that along too! The primary goal is to foster a safe space for our community to chat, create and be. For further information please email [landerknits@outlook.com.](http://landerknits@outlook.com.) \*This will be our 2nd meeting, bring friends and make new ones. Come as you are and make along side other like-minded folks.

**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a quiet writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**

**Our January novel is: Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan** **This month's featured novel is a 20th-century biographical fiction, coming-of-age, historical romance, women’s fiction, world literature, student biography, heartfelt, magic, and feel-good novel. The book is 311 pages in print and 7 hours and 8 minutes on audiobook.** 1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?" Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers. Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life. After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."

Join us for Slow Horses and a Book Exchange! In addition to our usual chat about the book, we’ll be exchanging books. Bring two books you’re willing to part with and we’ll exhange books. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Welcome to the thrilling and unnervingly prescient world of the slow horses. This team of MI5 agents is united by one common bond: They've screwed up royally and will do anything to redeem themselves. This special tenth-anniversary deluxe edition of a modern classic includes a foreword by the author, discussion questions for book clubs, and an exclusive short story featuring the slow horses. London, England: Slough House is where washed-up MI5 spies go to while away what's left of their failed careers. The "slow horses," as they're called, have all disgraced themselves in some way to get relegated there. Maybe they botched an Op so badly they can't be trusted anymore. Maybe they got in the way of an ambitious colleague and had the rug yanked out from under them. Maybe they just got too dependent on the bottle-not unusual in this line of work. One thing they have in common, though, is they want to be back in the action. And most of them would do anything to get there-even if it means having to collaborate with one another. When a young man is abducted and his kidnappers threaten to broadcast his beheading live on the Internet, the slow horses see an opportunity to redeem themselves. But is the victim really who he appears to be?