Fiction Writing Toronto

Let's write!

Bring a phone, but a computer with internet and AI is probably going to collide headfirst with those drawing from personal experiences and real-life anecdotes. Expect that pretty much every single one of these will not be known to any AI in any way shape or form, unless someone is secretly uploading everyone's life, minute by minute. Wait! I'm ahead of myself. That's an idea for a story, novel, drama or movie.

In-Person Writing Sprints

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.

IN-PERSON Saturday Meeting!

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!

Saturday Writing Meetup – near Bloor-Yonge

\*\*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.

Wizards & Workouts - FREE

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. All sessions are free and I’ll be running them through the summer. 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.

An Empire in the Clouds Book Launch

**Please note**: this event is hosted by an outside organizer, and there is an entrance/attendance fee. Tickets cost roughly $7 and can be obtained from the Eventbrite link here: [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-empire-in-the-clouds-book-launch-tickets-1988416599576](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-empire-in-the-clouds-book-launch-tickets-1988416599576) **Costs**: We do our best to keep all events free for all members. However, some events have associated and unavoidable costs. I strongly believe we should always strive to make sure that costs are not obstacle to participating in community events and supporting fellow writers, so for the sake of equity, if you want to attend but the cost is an issue, please PM me. --David \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us in person to celebrate the launch of An Empire in the Clouds! ## Join Us for the An Empire in the Clouds Book Launch! Get ready to dive into an unforgettable story at our in-person event celebrating the release of An Empire in the Clouds, and be among the first to snag a signed copy! It's gonna be a great time filled with good vibes! **Doors open at 4:00PM** **Event starts at 4:30PM** **There will be a special performance by Chinatown Community Lion Dance!** *\*Refreshments will be provided (tea, coffee, cookies)—other drink options can be purchased separately at the bar on site.* *\*Bakka Phoenix Books will have copies of the book for purpose on site.* *\*You can also pre-order the book from Bakka Phoenix prior to the event if you aren't able to make it to the launch in-person (https://www.bakkaphoenixbooks.com/item/7gkUDaU43PgUMFd9dLNLeA)* **ABOUTE AN EMPIRE IN THE CLOUDS** **Riveting and highly inventive Chinese-inspired science-fantasy of a royal family torn apart, painful betrayal and deadly secrets. Set on a drowning continent full of corruption and deception and strange technology this is a richly envisioned and powerful debut novel from the winner of the Bram Stoker® and Nebula Awards.** On Piāo, the floating empire of lotuses, Xīlián discovers the royal advisors’ ploy to overthrow her brother, Yún, the emperor, in the same way they had murdered their parents, by creating a deadly flood that will make Yún’s death seem as though an accident. She flees to the drowning continent of Opera, a place of high tech and near environmental collapse where companies vie to sell a chance at immortality. There Xīlián seeks out her exiled brother Làng to help in her efforts to disrupt the advisors’ plans and remove them from court. Also residing on Opera is the outcast, No Face. Abandoned by the empire of Piāo, they plot to destroy those who tore their family apart. When Xīlián is caught and imprisoned and No Face discovers the shocking truth about their past, the two must work together to stop the advisors and unify their two lands or lose everyone they love to flood and revolution. **ABOUT THE AUTHOR** **Ai Jiang** is a Chinese-Canadian writer, Ignyte, Bram Stoker, and Nebula Award winner, and Hugo, Astounding, Locus, Aurora, and BFSA Award finalist born in Changle, Fujian, currently residing in Markham, Ontario. Her work can be found in F&SF, The Dark, Clarkesworld, The Masters Review, among others. She is the author of *An Empire in the Clouds, the Natural Engines duology, Linghun* and *I AM AI*. Find her at [www.aijiang.ca](http://www.aijiang.ca/ "http://www.aijiang.ca")

Shut Up & Write — West Queen West

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.

Open Mic: Part XVIII

**Toronto Writers Community** is having an Open Mic event on August 28 @ the **Tranzac Club** (**292 Brunswick Ave**). Let's make it count for our 18th Open Mic. Summer draws to a close, though we still have many warm days ahead of us. This is a time for creativity as we prepare for the next season. 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! **Be at the 18th Open Mic on August 28.** Bring a friend (or many friends) 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** 6:30pm, ends at 9:30pm Friday, August 28, 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 the [Alexandra Writers Centre Society, our sponsor. They make these Open Mics in Toronto possible.

Sunday Shut Up & Write!® in Sheppard-Yonge

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.

ABCD Reads "Whistler" by Ann Patchett

ABCD Reads "**[Whistler](https://tpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S234C4751790)**" by Ann Patchett [[RESULTS](https://opavote.com/results/5448125428006912) of the poll for this event] **:: ABOUT THE BOOK ::** "When Daphne Fuller and her husband Jonathan visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they notice an older, white-haired gentleman following them. The man turns out to be Eddie Triplett, her former stepfather, who had been married to her mother for a little more than year when Daphne was nine. [...] Whistler is a story about two adults looking back over the choices they made, and the choices that were made for them. It’s a story about bravery, memory, the often small yet consequential moments that define our lives, and the endless stream of loss that in time comes for us all. Beautiful in its simplicity, it is ultimately about how love endures, and how the feeling of being known by one other person, even for a short period of time, can change everything." (from [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242693052-whistler)) "Now fifty-three, Daphne hasn’t seen Eddie for many years, not since the fateful event that changed the direction of both their lives. Meeting again, time falls away; while their relationship was brief, it had a profound impact on them both, and now that they are reunited, they have no intention of ever being separated again." (from [BookMarks.reviews](https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/whistler/)) **:: ABOUT THE EVENT ::** You are welcome to arrive 30 minutes before the event and stay 30 minutes or longer afterward to connect with other attendees outside the book talk. Please ensure you have read the book before attending (though finishing any book is not a barrier to participating, as long as you don't mind spoilers). First-time attendees can join for free. If the event is full, we maintain an unofficial waitlist. Please send [Michael](https://www.meetup.com/members/55295192/) a direct message for more information, in either case. We request a $3 contribution from regular attendees to help cover our monthly meetup costs. **:: ABOUT OUR NEXT BOOK ::** At the end of each event, we will ask for nominees for our next book. If you have a good one in mind, please ensure it is between 200-400 pages long, available from the Toronto Public Library, and counts as contemporary literary fiction (though these are not hard and fast rules). When enough nominees are collected, Michael will send the members a direct message with a link where you can vote.

Silent Bookclub Meeting #89 (Bookstore Crawl and High Park)

The next event will be a two parter, bringing back a fan favourite! We're back with our fourth Bookstore Crawl and we'll be soaking up the sun in the West End! Bookstores are TBD, and then having our typical Silent Book Club event at High Park. Hope to see you there, and bring sunscreen! Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so we can plan appropriately To help cover the costs of meetup fees, we will be taking optional donations for this event. If you're inclined to, feel free to send any amount you're comfortable with to harresh.s@hotmail.com, or bring cash to the event. Please note that this is entirely optional and not required to join the event! All proceeds will go towards fees for this event and future events, as well as meetup fees

Photography Walk: Sunset @ Biidaasige Park West (Cherry St. & Commissioners St.)