Non-Fiction Writing

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!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Welcome to Toronto History Walks! This walking tour blends the human history and the natural history of the area. A fascinating tour, so don't miss it. If you are new to Toronto then this tour is for you! The Scarborough Bluffs is Toronto's best kept secret. Known as "Les Grands Ecores." by the French, and in 1788 Alexander Aitken, called the bluffs the High Lands. A hidden gem in Toronto which hides many secrets. Elizabeth Simcoe named the Bluffs the Scarborough Highlands in 1793 and had reminded Elizabeth Simcoe of the limestone cliffs back in England, in her own words from her diary: "The shore is extremely bold and has the appearance of chalk cliffs, but I believe they are only white sand. They appeared so well that we talked of building a summer residence there and calling it Scarborough." The Scarborough Bluffs extended west along the coastline of Lake Ontario towards the town of York and later Toronto, but vast areas along the western edge were razed for industrial and residential development. The formation of the chalk cliffs continues to shrink due to erosion. The price of this tour is $15.00 per person This extensive walking tour begins at Bluffers Park Road and Brimley Road South, south of Kingston Road near the lake at the marina stop! The 201 Bluffers Park Bus leaves Kennedy Subway Station every 15 minutes. Hope to see you there! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

We will be taking a walk south along Broadview Avenue to learn about several historic buildings including the old Don Jail, one of Toronto's oldest homes, and buildings in little Chinatown. We will be discussing the architecture and unique history of these properties. Then we will go to the "Riverside Eats and Beats Festival" featuring free food, music, and a huge block party. This free event is highly recommended.

\*\*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.

Don Valley Trail Hikes are excellent and have so much to offer and explore - especially as the weather gets more warm. The 8 km hike is not difficult but there are some hills. You will get some good exercise. Everyone who has attended before has always enjoyed the hike. After we go to the outdoor Farmers Market at the Brickworks which is really good. Lets get a good turn out. Please be sure to confirm and update your attendance. We meet at Sherborne Station (Sherborne and Bloor) outside the front doors at 10 am. Please do not be late.

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 11:30 we start walking west, through the park, ending at the Blake House Restaurant \* (Wellesley & Jarvis) by 12:30. There's no costs for the first session. If it proves successful, I'll be looking to create an multi-week campaign that will run through the summer. Details to follow for those that register. 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 others work. For more information on this event. Check out our Meetup events page.*

local seasonal and wild foods. quail, venison, bison, boar and rabbit.

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.

**NEW LOCATION - Madison Avenue Pub** **Dates will vary over the next few weeks due to FIFA schedule.** Join your community of fellow Intuitives and MBTI nerds for a casual evening of engaging conversation. We get together every second Sunday – with a mix of regulars and new friends. There is no fee to attend, though we ask that you support the venue by ordering something to eat or drink. **Feel free to contact event host B. via Facebook/Meetup messenger, or text/call 416-712-8635 for directions**. About the venue: Madison Avenue Pub, 14 Madison Ave Nearest Subway: Spadina Map / Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/scdLEYqb9LNJWkgWA We make an effort to find pubs that are quiet and introvert friendly, with a section to ourselves. We make no effort to muffle our extroverts, but should they get out of hand, our resident INTJ will use their death stare, to pull them back in line.

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** For summertime fun, it's hard to imagine a better place than the Toronto Islands. It's so much more than a small amusement park, Chelsea Beach, and walking and bike trails. It's about growing up in Toronto. About the ten minute ride over on the ferry boat, and the memories that have made Toronto a summertime city. It's a stretch of land that is historic and fascinating, both geologically and socially as well. And a history that brings together the stories of Toronto from its founding. The Gibraltar Point Lighthouse was constructed in 1809, and is one of the oldest structures in Toronto. It is best known for the ghost story of its murdered first keeper, John Paul Rademüller. But that's another story for another day. The peninsula was partially severed by a storm in 1852, which created a sandbar that was dangerously thin, and the peninsula became an island permanently by a violent storm that cut out the eastern channel, two hotels on the island were also destroyed. The modern history of the Islands' begins here! The Islands' have three main parts, and all three have their historic elements, the most being the western most island named for the Hanlan family. A spectacular hotel, "The Ned Hanlan" was built and a regatta course dredged out of the western lagoon. An amusement park followed, and an airport after that! It was also a residential enclave with most of the homes appearing on Ward's and Centre Islands. By the 1950s these residential areas started to disappear, as the idea of increasing city parkland took shape. **Take a quick peek at my introduction video which follows at** https://youtu.be/hkVHx5Ol9qI The tour begins and ends at the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. We will meet inside the gates! And we will head over as a group, so tickets must be bought before! Please meet 10 minutes before the meetup time! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Bromptons and books are a perfect bookend for the first weekend in June! Join us for a literary tour of three unique bookstores within Toronto. Meet at **[Pedaal](https://www.pedaal.com/)** for a coffee & pastry at 10am. Browse pop-up shop CARRIED AWAY BOOKS with author EMILY SASO! Get yourself sorted for the ride, make a new friend, and please check your air, brakes, and chain. **10:30am** departure Bring an appetite for Canadian independent bookstores: * [Little Ghosts Books](https://www.littleghostsbooks.com/) * [Hopeless Romantic Bookshop](https://hopelessromanticbooks.ca/) * [Another Story Bookshop](https://anotherstory.ca/i/1157949/landing-page/index.html) While on Roncesvalles, you can pick up a falafel wrap, pizza, sandwich, etc, *or bring your own*, for a picnic in High Park. Start a new chapter with us! View the route at this link: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/387255612?privacy_code=0PKAhb5UiEs9r4dMYGZLZ7b5RMc2P801 WEATHER: if a heat wave or thunderstorm this ride will be cancelled. Please register as an email will be sent the day before with cancellation notice. Ride level: Chill / Relaxed Distance: less than 10 km Everyone welcome. No one will be left behind. All riders who are comfortable with the pace and distance are welcome! Our Community Rules: 1. Be kind. Welcome and encourage other riders. Insults, shaming, and hate will be removed, and offenders will be banned. 2. Your safety is your responsibility. Helmets are required. Lights are required if riding in darkness. It is each rider’s responsibility to ensure their bike is clean, well-maintained, and fully functional. 3. All bikes are welcome. Occasional Brompton-only events will be clearly labeled. Contact your local Brompton dealer if you'd like to borrow a Brompton for an event (participation may vary). 4. If your plans change, please update your RSVP. BY ATTENDING this event you ACKNOWLEDGE and ACCEPT the following: 1. I ACKNOWLEDGE, agree, and represent that I understand the nature of bicycling activities and that I am qualified, in good health, and in proper physical condition to participate in such activity. I further acknowledge that the ride-out will be conducted over public pavements and facilities open to the public, and upon which the hazards of traveling are to be expected. I further agree and warrant that if, at any time, I believe conditions to be unsafe, I will immediately discontinue further participation. 2. I FULLY UNDERSTAND that (a) BICYCLING ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS AND DEATH ("Risks"); (b) these Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the ride-out, the conditions in which the ride-out takes place, or the negligence of others; (c) there may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time; and I FULLY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, COSTS, AND DAMAGES I may incur as a result of my participation; (d) I acknowledge that Brompton Bicycle, event organizers, ride leaders, and volunteers will not be liable for any accidents or damages through this ride-out. 3. PHOTO RELEASE: I CONSENT to my voice, name, and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter devised, for eternity, and release Brompton Bicycle, its successors, assigns and licensees from any liability whatsoever of any nature. DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING.

It's better when we're together. Come and experience the power of the WHM with a wonderful group of people. We breathe, we go into the cold and we teach our bodies to heat up properly. We develop resilience and the mindset to use these powerful healing tools over and over again, all year round. This gathering is fully guided by Wim Hof instructor Steve Beattie. If you are new to this, come on down, enjoy the support and practice in a safe way with us. If you already have a WHM practice this meetup is a great way to take it to the next level, and make lots of new friends. There will be a fire, snacks and drinks shared by other attendees. We have been doing this 6 for years! **What to bring?** * Yoga mat * Weather-appropriate clothing (better to dress too warm!) * Bathing suite, towel * Water shoes (optional) In extreme weather being prepared is very important. Especially if it's your first time, please read up on how to come prepared [here.](https://www.breathinginnature.com/wim-hof-method-meetup/) Learn more about our Wim Hof meetups, workshops, breath classes, wilderness trips, medicine work and special events at **[Breathing in Nature](https://breathinginnature.com/)**. Join the "**[Wim Hof Toronto](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1714218015474146/)**" group on Facebook to see all of our local events. This is a free event made possible by our Gift Economy. You can learn more about the Gift Economy [here](https://breathinginnature.com/gift-economy/).

**Meet up Point:** Algonquin Park - Maggie Lake Entrance **Two Days...sat and sun** **Fee for Trekking Training: $99.** Because it was so much fun, we are offering Trekker Training again in June! We want you (and all our members) out Trekking. Don't give up your Sunday hikes, but hey it's time to up your hiking game! Which is why we are offering skills training for future trekkers so they can join in on trekking adventures outside of Ontario. There is a lot to learn to prepare for a multi day trekk, and we want you to be prepared. It is not just knowing what equipment to buy, how much to carry, tent set up, it's also food prep, attitude, and emergency skills and so much more! So, in order for you to ensure you have a safe and the very BEST trekking experience we are offering an overnight training experience. **Experienced Boots Trekkers feel free to hop in and show them how it's done!** We will cover in one weekend - * your weighted pack * pack pacing * water filtering * trail etiquette * safety * equipment must haves * first aid * atittude adjustment * fire starting * navigation * ...and more

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Topic to be announced. **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Join us for Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn! Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the unsolved murder of a preteen girl and the disappearance of another. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story-and survive this homecoming.