Events
Write-in for April (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Writing Craft BOOK CLUB: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
We are once again partnering with the Almonte Writers Guild to present our Writing Craft Book Club!
Join us on April 14th to discuss Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. Published in 2018 and based on the bestselling screenwriting guide of the same name, Save The Cat presents a ground-breaking novel writing guide. It introduces authors to the "Beat Sheet" - a series of 15 plot points ("beats") that encompass every novel written...ever! That's right, this book claims to have found the secret sauce to every novel ever written from Carrie to Jane Eyre to Hercule Poirot's greatest mysteries.
But it can't be that easy, can it? Come and chat with us about this revolutionary method, its detractors, and how we can implement it in our own work. At the end of the day, knowing and decisively following or ignoring the Save The Cat method is fundamental to every budding author's toolbox.
The ARW/AWG Writing Craft Book Club focuses on the craft of writing through books written by and for those in the industry. While reading the book is not necessary for attendance*, it will greatly increase your enjoyment of this discussion.
*With Save the Cat in particular, you will only need to read chapters 1 & 2 (pg 1-79) to wholly participate in the conversation. The rest of the book is also valuable to strengthening your understanding, but not necessary for the discussion.
Save The Cat Writes a Novel can be purchased from Mill Street Books.
If you are unable to get a copy of the book for financial reasons, please reach out. The organizers will do everything in our power to get you a copy so that you may participate.
NOTE: Please be sure that you purchase the correct book, Save the Cat Writes a Novel, as there are several entries in this series!
Local lit OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at OVC Almonte. Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry!
Write-in for April (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
delve - In close conversation with Dagne Forrest & Carolyn Smart
Admission: In advance via Tickets Please or pay-what-you-can at the door
Almonte Readers & Writers is pleased to invite you to delve ~ In close conversation with writers, as part of the 2025 Lanark Lit Festival of Writing.
In celebration of National Poetry Month, join us for a candid conversation between Dagne Forrest and Carolyn Smart. Both award-winning local poets, Dagne and Carolyn will each read their work and speak about how they came to writing poetry, the craft of writing and the topics that they continue to come back to in their poems.
Both bringing in the visceral themes of the body, motherhood, and the natural world, Dagne and Carolyn write poems that illuminate what it means to be human.
With plenty of opportunity for audience participation, the poets will take turns asking each other questions about their work and relationship with writing, and will answer questions from those attending. Each will also share their poetry with the audience, reading select pieces. We look forward to welcoming you to this event.
Community ASL interpretation provided.
About delve events:
Hosted in café settings, delve events are intended to be less formal and more intimate than traditional guest author interviews. Premised as a conversation between two writers that have something in common, delve events offer a chance for writers to get-to-know each other and explore their similarities and differences, while giving audiences the opportunity to engage with writers whose work they may, or may not, already be familiar with.
About the writers:
Dagne Forrest is an award-winning writer based in Almonte, Ontario. Her poetry and creative nonfiction have appeared in journals in Canada, the US, and the UK. In 2023 she won the Nick Blatchford Occasional Verse Contest run by The New Quarterly (Canada).
In 2025, she was one of eight finalists selected by US poet Maggie Smith for the Marvin Bell Memorial Poetry Prize run by december magazine. Her first chapbook “Un / Becoming” has just been published by Baseline Press (2025).
More about Dagne can be found by visiting www.dagneforrest.com
Carolyn Smart is the author of an award-winning memoir and seven collections of poetry,
including “Hooked” and “Careen”. She is a freelance editor, founder of the RBC Bronwen
Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. She lives in South Frontenac, Ontario. For more than three decades she was Director of Creative Writing at Queen’s University.
More about Carolyn can be found by visiting www.carolynsmartediting.ca
The 2025 Lanark Lit Festival of Writing is presented by Almonte Readers & Writers thanks to the generous funding support of Lanark County, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Perth & District Community Foundation, and the Elizabeth Kelly Library Foundation, with community partnership from the Mississippi Mills Public Library, the Perth & District Public Library, Mill Street Books, Almonte Writers Guild, and with the community support of Equator Coffee, OVC Almonte, Jazzy’s Brewhaus and other local partners
Local writers & poets OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at OVC Almonte. Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry!
delve - In close conversation with Amelinda Bérubé, interviewed by Elysia Rourke
Admission: In advance via Tickets Please or pay-what-you-can at the door
COMING SOON
Almonte Readers & Writers is pleased to invite you to delve ~ In close conversation with writers, as part of the 2025 Lanark Lit Festival of Writing. Community ASL interpretation provided.
ARW’s May delve event presents a conversation between Amelinda Bérubé and Elysia Rourke, two writers who share a passion for literature for young people and the things that go bump in the night. Amelinda and Elysia will discuss the world of horror writing and allow us a glimpse of what it takes to become a writer for children and teens, the varying paths to get there, and how they use stories to capture the attention of youth seeking to find their place within their families, communities, and the world.
The evening will have plenty of opportunity for audience participation. The writers will take turns asking each other questions about their work and relationship with writing, and will answer questions from those attending. Each will also share their writing with the audience, reading select pieces. We look forward to welcoming you to this event.
About delve events:
Hosted in café settings, delve events are intended to be less formal and more intimate than traditional guest author interviews. Premised as a conversation between two writers that have something in common, delve events offer a chance for writers to get-to-know each other and explore their similarities and differences, while giving audiences the opportunity to engage with writers whose work they may, or may not, already be familiar with.
About the writers:
Amelinda Bérubé writes books for young adults about things that go bump in the night. She is the author of The Ones Who Come Back Hungry, Bram Stoker Award finalist Here There Are Monsters, and The Dark Beneath the Ice. Local readers might find her settings familiar, since they're all drawn from the Ottawa area--including the swampy woods near Corkery where she spent her teen years. After a dozen years as a writer and editor in the federal public service, Amelinda is living the freelance dream, incubating side projects like reading tarot, developmental editing, and coaching young writers.
She herds a couple of kids and an assortment of animals in west-end Ottawa, where she lives in a perpetual whirlwind of unfinished craft projects, cat hair, and dog toys. Visit her at www.metuiteme.com.
Elysia Rourke is a middle grade author and stay-at-home mom. Her debut novel, Whale Fall, is slated for publication with Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books in 2026.
Elysia is the founder of the Almonte Writers Guild and fiction editor for The LAM, a literary arts magazine for Lanark County. She lives in Almonte, Ontario with her husband, two sons, and dog.
Her writing can be found at www.elysiarourke.com.
The 2025 Lanark Lit Festival of Writing is presented by Almonte Readers & Writers thanks to the generous funding support of Lanark County, the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, the Perth & District Community Foundation, and the Elizabeth Kelly Library Foundation, with community partnership from the Mississippi Mills Public Library, the Perth & District Public Library, Mill Street Books, Almonte Writers Guild, and with the community support of Equator Coffee, OVC Almonte, Jazzy’s Brewhaus and other local partners
Local writers & poets OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at a new summer location! This time we’ll gather at Jazzy’s Brewhaus in Perth! Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry in Jazzy’s unique outdoor courtyard!
Local writers & poets OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at a new summer location! This time we’ll gather at Jazzy’s Brewhaus in Perth! Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry in Jazzy’s unique outdoor courtyard!
Write-in for March (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Write-in for March (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
AWG Discussion Group: Outlining and Planning Short Stories
Come for an evening discussion with the Almonte Writers Guild. This month's topic is Outlining and Planning Short Stories.
This discussion will take a super hands-on approach by going through the whole story planning process together — from brainstorming to writing an outline for your own short story. It will be fun! Be sure to bring a pen and paper!
All of AWG's events are free to attend, though we ask that you help to ensure that all spaces are left clean and tidy at the end of the night.
Do you want to host one of our monthly discussions? Reach out to the Almonte Writers Guild via Facebook. Presenters don't need to be published authors. All topics will be considered provided you are passionate about it, and it relates to writing.
Presented by the Almonte Writers Guild, in community partnership with Almonte Readers & Writers.
For more information on the Almonte Writers Guild you can ask to join their Facebook group
Write-in for March (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Prompted Poetry Circle (AWG)
Come write poetry with the AWG! Please look for the AWG sign when you come into the cafe.
We will be doing several timed prompts together that focus on ideas, themes, objects, etc. When we are done, we will have an optional opportunity to share our work and (if desired) receive feedback.
This event is drop-in, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
AWG Discussion Group: Literary Magazines: Publishing Your Short Stories and Poetry
Come for an evening discussion with the Almonte Writers Guild. This month's topic is Literary Magazines: Publishing Your Short Stories and Poetry, led by Elysia Rourke.
In 2024, Elysia published 8 short stories in literary magazines and she’s going to show you how! In this discussion, we’ll talk all about cover letters, picking the right publications, your rights, and getting paid! We'll also talk about the types of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry that are popular, how to find calls for submission, and what types of bad actors to look out for.
If you want to read a bit of Elysia’s published short fiction, *most* of it is available for free here
All of AWG's events are free to attend. Beverages are welcome, should you wish to bring one from home. Thank you!
Presented by the Almonte Writers Guild, in community partnership with Almonte Readers & Writers.
For more information on the Almonte Writers Guild you can ask to join their Facebook group
Write-in for February (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
delve - In close conversation with Rose Graceling-Moore & Hypatia Rae
Ah the classic romance novel… filled with passion, drama, obsession, elation, heartbreak… the highs and lows of relationships, love, and loss. But, is that everything they have to offer? Maybe we think we know what these stories are about, but do we really understand what this genre can do?
For all the friends and lovers out there, join romance writers Rose Graceling-Moore and Hypatia Rae for an enlightening conversation about the romance genre, its versatile nature and ability to encompass various subgenres with playful, meaningful, and surprising outcomes for readers and writers alike! This is a pre-Valentine’s Day event, and promises to be a fun night out for partners and friends alike, and especially for anyone interested in supporting local talent and learning more about genre-bending/blending in fiction.
As two authors exploring romance writing, Rose and Hypatia will discuss what makes for a great romantic tale, how to build readership across genres, how they approach romance tropes, and how to world-build both 'real' world and fantasy worlds. With distinct styles, they will delve into similarities and differences in how they craft love stories in their respective genres, and offer inside views into what connects them to this popular fiction genre; with Rose concocting sweet and spicy contemporary romance complete with magical elements, and Hypatia taking you to far off places in her second world romantic fantasies (romantasy).
The event will also include short readings from both authors, and questions from the audience about reading, or writing their own, romantic fiction.
About the writers:
Rose Graceling-Moore (Perth) started her writing career in entertainment journalism over a decade ago, as a freelance writer, editor, and eventually, content manager. However, her real love has always been in romance, and two years ago, she started work on her debut novel, Just One Summer. She writes romance in both contemporary and magical realism, with a love of realistic relationships blossoming in pleasantly un-realistic situations, with magical pies, magical bars, and magical summers behind them.
Rose loves character-driven stories, and hones her character-building skills through playing D&D, and by digging into psychology in her spare time. She is now working on her third romance novel, and pursuing traditional publishing for her first two.
Rose now lives her own Hallmark-worthy life in small-town Perth, Ontario, with her partner, two cats, and probably too many plants.
More about Rose can be found at www.rosegracelingmooreauthor.com
Hypatia Rae (Almonte) is a local/Canadian author who writes fantasy books about characters kissing. She has been regaling family and friends with dramatic tales since early childhood and loves nothing more than creating expansive worlds for her characters, then setting them free so she can document their exploits.
Hypatia is known for her strong characters and compelling worldbuilding. She most often combines romance with a helping of humour. Her debut novel The Witch of Faymeria Wood, released last November on Amazon, with the follow up in April. The final book in the trilogy is due early 2025. Her newest release, Rise of the Fae King, is a prequel novella available to purchase now, or free to newsletter subscribers.
More about Hypatia Rae and her books can be found by visiting www.hypatiaraebooks.com
Presented with funding support from the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, with the community support of OVC Almonte, and in partnership with Mill Street Books.
Write-in for February (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Local writers & poets OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — Thursday, July 25th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at OVC Almonte. Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry!
Write-in for January (AWG)
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
AWG Discussion Group: Finding Inspiration and Creativity
Come for an evening discussion with the Almonte Writers Guild. This month's topic is Finding Inspiration and Creativity led by Lilly White.
Lilly White is passionate about helping others. The first thing you notice when you meet her is her contagious smile and enthusiasm. It's impossible to be in Lilly's presence without feeling some sort of inspiration. She is an author, life coach, AAA facilitator, and a spiritual guide who leads transformative journeys to Bali. Lilly's publications include Into the Heart of Bali and 365 Ways to Power Up Your Life: Tools for Intuitive Living (among many others!) Lilly's newest book, Kids and Nutrition: It's a Tricky Dance was published in December 2024.
Presented by the Almonte Writers Guild, in community partnership with Almonte Readers & Writers.
For more information on the Almonte Writers Guild you can ask to join their Facebook group
LANARK LIT Writing Competition - Awards Gala & Reading
You’re invited to the Awards Gala for the Lanark Lit Writing Competition!
The event will include readings by the winning writers, and more!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Mississippi Mills Public Library.
Art of Writing workshop: The Real Art of Writing Haiku
Join Claudia Radmore on November 23rd for an Art of Writing workshop on haiku. You have probably heard of haiku, even tried to write some. If you have, what may come to mind are ‘syllables’. What you will find in this workshop is that haiku has nothing to do with counting syllables. With your workshop instructor, Claudia, you’ll learn that outside Japan, the form has little to do with counting, and more to do with breathing.
Write-in for November [social/focus mix] AWG
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
![Write-in for November [all focus time]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65281d243e1895791cdfe9c1/1725420396423-UBIZF9NT6HY6SWKSH2EA/Monthly-write-ins+banner.png)
Write-in for November [all focus time]
If you’re craving some uninterrupted time in a quiet space to work on your writing project, alongside your peers, look no further. Featuring free coffee/tea and wifi.
Write-in for November [social/focus mix] AWG
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
delve - In close conversation with Kim Kilpatrick
Admission: Pay-what-you-can via Tickets Please
Join us for an inspiring evening with Kim Kilpatrick, storyteller, creator, performer and paralympian. After sharing an enchanting life-story, Kim will delve into conversation with Emily Pearlman about her experiences as a blind performer, and discuss the portrayal of disability in stories.
Write-in for October [social/focus mix] AWG
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Art of Writing workshop: Self-Editing
A workshop on how to make (and not break) your book. Don’t miss this chance to further advance your skills in refining your own stories by joining author/editor/librarian Sarah Reside on October 19th for her ARW Art of Writing workshop on Self-editing.
Discussion Group: Self Publishing 101
Come for an evening discussion presented by our friends, the Almonte Writers Guild. This month's topic is Self Publishing 101, led by Paul Mouchet.
4-week writing circle - How to write kids books
This 4-week course will guide participants through the process of creating engaging stories for young readers.
Writers Craft BOOK CLUB
We are once again partnering with the Almonte Writers Guild to present our Writing Craft Book Club!
Join us on October 7th to discuss Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.
The ARW/AWG Writing Craft Book Club focuses on the craft of writing through books written by and for those in the industry. While reading the book is not necessary for attendance, it will greatly increase your enjoyment of this discussion.
"Self Editing for Fiction Writers" (first published in 1993 and updated in 2004) has served as a manual for writers approaching their own works with an editors pen. Written by two professional editors, it gives all writers the ground-work to produce cleaner, beautiful writing. We will discuss particular techniques highlighted in the book as well as the challenges we face when it comes to trimming and modifying our own work.
This book can be purchased from Mill Street Books.
If you are unable to get a copy of the book for financial reasons, please reach out. The organizers will do everything in our power to get you a copy so that you may participate.
Write-in for October [social/focus mix] AWG
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Write-in for September [social/focus mix] ARW
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Local writers & poets OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — Thursday, July 25th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at OVC Almonte. Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry!
Stop, Drop, & Write
A 2-hour workshop where participants will engage with a series of exercises, games, and discussions to ignite their imaginations and discover the stories that live inside of them. Fast writing sprints will open doors to new ideas and allow them to step outside of their comfort zone.
Write-in for September [all focus time]
If you’re craving some uninterrupted time in a quiet space to work on your writing project, alongside your peers, look no further. Featuring free coffee/tea and wifi.
Write-in for September [social/focus mix] AWG
Presented by the AWG, come write for 20- or 30-minutes followed by 5-10 minutes of break for the duration of the event. This is a drop-in event, so you are welcome to join and leave at whatever time suits you.
Local writers & poets OPEN MIC
We’re super excited to welcome everyone back again for another OPEN MIC — Thursday, July 25th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at OVC Almonte. Come on out for a night of local stories, performances, and poetry!