It’s been a few weeks since the Toronto International Festival of Authors held its MOTIVE event at the Harbourfront Centre from June 2nd to 4th.
I volunteered to coordinate the Crime Writers of Canada’s participation in the 2nd Motive Crime and Mystery Festival that teamed up with the main festival events.
On Friday June 2nd we had five authors speaking at the West Bay‘s location of the theatre, as well as a lovely gala festival event was hosted by TIFA at the Boxcar Social Restaurant. Many authors at the gala opening were socializing over cocktails and finger food. An evening of wonderful conversation, and introductions of authors and friends ensued, with new friendships being established and old ones being renewed.
My wife Angela and I attended both venues and we were delighted to spend time with Hyacinthe Miller, author of Kenora Reinvented and the Chair of the Crime Writers of Canada. We were pleased to meet Jonathan Whitelaw, author of the Bingo Hall Detectives who now lives in Alberta and is Director at Large for Crime Writers of Canada.
Photo: From left to right. Hyacinthe Miller, Jonathon Whitelaw and Peter Thomas Pontsa.
Many attending authors had travelled from different parts of the world, and from across Canada to mingle and enjoy the events.
On both Saturday and Sunday, some of our Crime Writers of Canada authors set up their books to sell in the CWC tent.
Some of the authors selling their books at the tent, also had the opportunity to read excerpts from their books on the outdoor stage.
Angela and I enjoyed the weekend. Even though it had been a very busy experience working with the TIFA coordinators, we were determined to make sure everything ran smoothly and were pleased it went so well.
Even the Pitch Perfect event where we had associate members pitching story lines to a couple of publishers was well organized. Publishers Karen Sullivan from the UK and Bjarni Thorsteinsson from Iceland were wonderful in sharing their knowledge. I enjoyed watching our member writers get a chance to explain their story lines to publishers for professional feedback.
Finally, on Sunday Angela and I had a break and we saw Anthony Horowitz discuss his experience writing a number of James Bond novels for the Ian Fleming Estate. Besides the Bond novels, he is well known for the Alex Rider series, which was televised by Amazon Prime with a third season coming soon.
Next year will be here soon enough and we are planning to make our participation even better.
In September, TIFA will be hosting another festival at Harbourfront; their 44th Edition which will be featuring world leading contemporary authors. See you then!
For questions about Peter’s book Outfoxed, contact him here.