Creative Writing Toronto

From Dark Fiction Writers (Horror, Dark SFF, Suspense & Thriller)

Hello Fellow Writers - Get ready for our first event of the fall! **Toronto Writers Community** is having an Open Mic event on October 7 @ the **Tranzac Club** (**292 Brunswick Ave**). This is our 19th Open Mic. Our Open Mic events can legally drink now. But all dad jokes aside, it's hard to believe we've made it this far. The momentum feels like we're only getting started. Please let me know either here on Meetup or through [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/torontowriterscommunity/) or the night of, if you would like to present. We can't wait to see you! Bring a friend (or many) and get ready for a night of sharing work and taking in the talent that Toronto has to offer. Feel free to read or to come and listen. Meet new people, get inspired. **416** 6:45pm, ends at 9:30pm Tuesday, **October 7, 2026**. TRANZAC CLUB - 292 Brunswick Ave Hope to see you there! As always, the event is free, but a donation bowl will be present. An extra thanks to our sponsor, the [Alexandra Writers Centre Society](https://www.alexandrawriters.org/). They make these Open Mics in Toronto possible. STAY CREATIVE.

17 attendees

[IN-PERSON] Dark Fiction Writers - Readings & Feedback

Mon, Sep 28, 10:00 PM

From Fifth Edit Toronto | Connecting Story Lovers in Toronto

Join us for this month's dark fiction writers meeting! **We are trying out a new day of the week—Monday—this month. Please let us know what you think!** Participants are encouraged to bring sacrifices—writing excerpts, that is—of up to 2000 words to read and receive critique. Listeners are appreciated as well. We welcome all dark genres and subgenres, including but not limited to: horror, dark science fiction, dark fantasy, suspense/thriller, etc. We'll be meeting at the MaRS Building near Queen's Park Station.

10 attendees

Literary Dinner with Harriet Alida Lye

Thu, Oct 1, 11:30 PM

**What if your next great book conversation happened over dinner?** Join Fifth Edit for an intimate evening with author **Harriet Alida Lye**, celebrating her new novel *Motherclown*. This is more than a traditional author event. Come for dinner, wine and an engaging conversation with Harriet about motherhood, identity, family, creativity and the strange, funny and unsettling territory explored in *Motherclown*. **Your ticket includes:** 🍷 Wine 🍽️ Dinner 📖 A conversation with Harriet Alida Lye 💬 Plenty of time to connect with other readers Whether you've already read *Motherclown* or are simply curious about the book, you're invited to pull up a chair. **Wednesday, October 1 · 7:30 PM** Downtown Winery · Toronto **Limited seats available. Tickets here:** https://luma.com/yrh8pz4h

2 attendees

Saturday Writing Meetup – near Bloor-Yonge

Sat, Oct 3, 5:00 PM

From Shut Up & Write!® Toronto

\*\*NOTE: This meetup currently lacks a regular host. (The current hosts are volunteers for online organizational purposes; they show up in person occasionally.) If you arrive and there is no host, don’t worry. Whoever is the longest-running member (or whoever wants to) can set the timer for the writing session. In this way, the meetup is self-sustaining, and not dependent on any one person. Thanks for your understanding.\*\* Join us for an hour of quiet writing, followed by an hour of (optional) socializing. \*\*SILENT WRITING BEGINS AT 1:15 PM. IF YOU'RE LATE, WELCOME! WE WILL IGNORE YOU (BECAUSE WE'RE BUSY WRITING) UNTIL 2:15 PM.\*\* This meetup is open to everyone, whether you’re writing a novel, blog, class paper, or journal entry—or something completely different. Anyone interested is welcome to attend :) LOCATION: 5 Elements Cafe, basement level RSVP: Please be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. We recommend coming down to the basement to grab a spot before you buy anything, just in case. SCHEDULE: 1:00 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chill/leave. Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

3 attendees

IN-PERSON Saturday Meeting!

Sat, Oct 3, 5:00 PM

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!

6 attendees

In-Person Writing Sprints

Sun, Oct 4, 5:00 PM

From Shut Up & Write!® Toronto

Struggling with motivation and focus as you hammer away on your manuscript at home? Want to join a community of writers as we embrace the joys and pains (mostly pains) of writing together? Bring your laptop, pen & paper, old-school typewriter, or futuristic writing gadget, and join an enthusiastic community of science fiction and fantasy writers as we work on our current projects in the same space. The format will be similar to our online writing sprints: 30-minute blocks of focused, quiet writing time (the sprints), interspersed with breaks where we can chat, ask questions, and share our writing experiences.

4 attendees

Shut Up & Write — West Queen West

Sat, Oct 3, 3:00 PM

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.

5 attendees

Book Launch: A Corruption of Memory by J.L. Thorpe (Jacqueline)

Sat, Oct 3, 8:30 PM

From Shut Up & Write!® Toronto

Book Launch! Come celebrate the launch of J.L. Thorpe's science fiction debut, *A Corruption of Memory*. Itinerary will include an author interview, Q&A session, games, prizes, a book signing, and more! **Book description:** **Their memories were real. They just weren’t their own.** A father races to save his son from a genetic edit that’s rewriting children’s memories, only to discover the fault lies devastatingly close to home. The first in Jacqueline's *Syndicate of Stars* series, *A Corruption of Memory* is a wisty sci-fi suspense full of dark family secrets, corporate intrigue and mind-bending tech set in a future hauntingly familiar to our own. **About the author:** J.L. (Jacqueline) Thorpe is an Aurora-nominated science fiction writer based in Toronto. She spent years working in financial journalism, including as Toronto bureau chief for Bloomberg News and economics columnist for the National Post. She much prefers writing about beleaguered heroes, odious villains, and eccentric sidekicks—not so different really. Check out her [website!](https://links.jlthorpewrites.com/website)

10 attendees

Sunday Shut Up & Write!® in Sheppard-Yonge

Sun, Oct 11, 5:00 PM

From TORONTO ARTS & CULTURE

We are now at **Yonge Sheppard Centre** in the **food court** near **Dazzle Mi**. We start a bit past 1pm, so if you're late, please find a seat and start writing -- we'd love to hear about your story or your day -- afterwards. :) **Coworking for writers in your area!** Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com) **Travel / Parking info:** Public Transit: 1. Take the TTC subway to Sheppard-Yonge Station. 2. Use the Yonge St. Sheppard Ave exit **Driving & Parking:** Parking Entrance to Yonge Sheppard Centre is located on Greenfield Avenue and Doris Avenue. Accessible parking is available on P1, P3 and Concourse. Be sure to check for parking limits or fees. **Location:** We gather around the tables in the food court near **Dazzel Mi**. If you spot a group of people with laptops out, that’s probably us! **RSVP:** Please do RSVP. But be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. **SCHEDULE:** 12:45 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in -- come in early if you want to get lunch. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about red-nosed reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

1 attendee

ROTMAN Author Talk: Power of Situations

Thu, Oct 8, 9:00 PM

4.6

We attend various ROTMAN events each year. Author Talks. Book Releases. Visiting Professors. ### **Agenda:** 5:00 pm - Check-in opens + light refreshments 5:30 pm - Author presentation and moderated Q&A 6:30 pm - Meet-and-greet with author + book signing ### **Book Synopsis:** **From the #1 bestselling author of *Grit,* a new book that reveals the hidden power of situations—and how you can shape them to bring out your best.** Angela Duckworth, PhD, is the bestselling author of *Grit* and the founder and CEO of Character Lab. A 2013 MacArthur Fellow, she is a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. **In Angela Duckworth’s first book, she showed that a common denominator of successful strivers is a blend of passion and perseverance she dubbed “grit.**” Ticket link is below. $22-$45 This second book springs from her deepening realization that grit, while necessary, is sometimes not sufficient. How you situate yourself to meet a challenge can be crucial. Duckworth’s in-depth research reveals the enormous influence wielded by the objects within arm’s reach, your peers and mentors, and even your zip code. Though you’re often told to make the best of your situation, it is far, far better to make your situation better first. **In *Situated*, you’ll discover:** * Why your personality changes, sometimes dramatically, from one situation to another—and how you can harness that shift * The secret to conquering temptation *without* willpower * Why taking the less effortful path can feel like cheating but often solves a stubborn problem * How the company you keep shapes the person you become * The most effective ways to help others succeed ***TICKET Link here-***- https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/news-events-and-ideas/public-events/events-listings/2026/october-2026/oct-8---angela-duckworth/

12 attendees

Wizards & Workouts - FREE

Sat, Oct 10, 2:00 PM

From Book Club for Humans

Do you consider rolling dice strength training? Can you run a D&D campaign, but not a city block? If so, **WIZARDS & WORKOUTS** is for you. My name is Peter Reynolds. I'm a writer and lover of role playing games. I'm also out of shape. I've been looking for ways to motivate myself to start working out with the same enthusiasm I bring to my Dungeons & Dragons campaign. The plan is simple: host a fun, live role playing game where players take on the role of their favourite fantasy characters. The catch? You need to exercise if you want to succeed. Fighting a dragon? A fireball might cost you 5 pushups. Crossing a rooftop? Can you balance on one foot for a minute? By combining simple, low impact exercises, including walking & stretching, with an interactive adventure, we'll all get healthier, have fun and maybe meet some new friends along the way. All fitness levels are welcome (as are dogs), and no previous knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons is necessary. We meet in front of Broadview subway station at 10:00 am sharp and then walk to the Outdoor Fitness Station in Riverdale Park East (there are washrooms). At noon we start walking west, through the park, ending at the Blake House Restaurant \* (Wellesley & Jarvis) by 12:30. All sessions are free and I’ll be running them till it gets too cold. Hope to see you there! * The Blake House is where our Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers' Group meets every Saturday from 1pm - 4pm to critique each other’s work. For more information on this event. Check out our Meetup events page.

6 attendees

Short Reads Social #14: "Do we have 'good' taste in food?"

Wed, Sep 30, 10:30 PM

Short-Read Socials are back! Come meet with like-minded and unlikeminded people to talk about the topic of the month. This time, we're thinking about **our tastes in food.** *What does it mean to have 'good taste' or even 'better taste' than others? How do we determine which food is 'superior'? What does it mean for dishes to be 'authentic' and for us to want to eat 'authentic' food?* \-\-\- **\*\*\*Note: this event and future events (at least until 2027) will be on second and last Wednesdays! we won't be there on Tuesday :(** \-\-\- **How does it work?** * The event is casual. You can talk to anyone there with or without our prompt sheets, either about the month's topic or about whatever you want. * Open philosophical discussion, including for controversial topics, is welcome but be respectful :) * If you've read/watched/heard anything related to the topic of the month, feel free to bring it in! Not necessarily physically, but you can if you want... * If not, here are some thought-provoking reads to start you off (read as many or as few as you want): * [The Life and Death of the American Foodie](https://www.eater.com/food-culture/911138/foodie-history-american-food-culture?src=longreads) * [Yelp: Everybody Gets a Star](https://www.eater.com/24200672/yelp-effect-on-restaurants-culture-review-everything?src=longreads) * [On culinary authenticity ](https://nextcloud.quackhouse.ca/s/LWk86W57YAaGgJ7) * (I appreciated the whole article but you could skip to Section 3: Reasons for Valuing Culinary Authenticity on p. 9 if you're short on time) * [Why You Can’t Get a Restaurant Reservation ](https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/why-you-cant-get-a-restaurant-reservation)(paywall free version [here](https://archive.is/20240422101420/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-local-correspondents/why-you-cant-get-a-restaurant-reservation)) * Feel free to post other recommendations (blogs, movies, tv episodes, video essays, etc.) in the comments!

21 attendees

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