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Wordstock Sudbury

About this event

2026 LIVESTREAM Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival


Livestream All Access Festival Pass
$80

Entry into all livestreamed events and masterclasses apart of the festival.

Livestream All Access Festival Pass (ACCESSIBLE RATE)
$60

Entry into all livestreamed events and masterclasses apart of the festival.

Livestream Festival Pass (NOT INCLUDING MASTERCLASSES)
$50

Entry into all livestreamed events and masterclasses apart of the festival.


Entry to all livestreamed events apart of the festival NOT including masterclasses.


Livestream Festival Pass (ACCESSIBLE RATE)
$30

Entry into all livestreamed events and masterclasses apart of the festival.


Entry to all livestreamed events apart of the festival NOT including masterclasses.


LIVESTREAM: Festival opening 2026
Free

Join us as we officially open the 13th edition of Wordstock Sudbury Literary Festival! We’ll welcome this year’s authors and audiences, share a few opening remarks and begin the weekend with a special reading from Sudbury’s Poet Laureate. Everyone is welcome.

Livestream Masterclass: Polishing Your Performance
$30

Friday, October 16th 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM


Tips on how to feel comfortable reading in public:

Get ready to take the stage. Award-winning spoken word performer, playwright and musician Charlie Petch is the founder of Hot Damn It’s a Queer Slam and a longtime mentor and workshop facilitator. Timed just before our Annual Wordstock Sudbury Poetry Slam, this hands-on masterclass will help competitors and curious writers prepare their work for an audience, manage nerves, develop stage presence and deliver a stronger reading. Bring a short piece to practice. All experience levels are welcome.

Livestream Masterclass: Polishing Your Performance
Pay what you can

ACCESSIBLE RATE


(student, fixed income)


Friday, October 16th 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM


Tips on how to feel comfortable reading in public:

Get ready to take the stage. Award-winning spoken word performer, playwright and musician Charlie Petch is the founder of Hot Damn It’s a Queer Slam and a longtime mentor and workshop facilitator. Timed just before our Annual Wordstock Sudbury Poetry Slam, this hands-on masterclass will help competitors and curious writers prepare their work for an audience, manage nerves, develop stage presence and deliver a stronger reading. Bring a short piece to practice. All experience levels are welcome.

LIVESTREAM: ANNUAL WORDSTOCK SUDBURY POETRY SLAM
Pay what you can

PWYC


Friday, October 16th 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM


Wordstock Sudbury’s highly anticipated Annual Poetry Slam returns for an incredible night of spoken word and friendly competition. Hosted by local spoken word artist Lindsay Mayhew,  with a feature from award-winning slam poet Charlie Petch!


Poets perform original work in timed rounds, with no props, costumes or musical accompaniment, with the chance to win a cash prize.

Livestream Masterclass: Writing Compelling Characters
$30

Saturday, October 17th 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM


To build a compelling narrative, the star of your story needs depth, complexity, and a reason for being. In this masterclass, Lauren Carter will share a few unique techniques to help you discover your character’s layers and bring them more fully to life on the page. Come prepared with a pen, a notebook, and for your protagonist to surprise you!

Livestream Masterclass: Writing Compelling Characters
$15

Saturday, October 17th 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM


ACCESSIBLE RATE (student, fixed income)


To build a compelling narrative, the star of your story needs depth, complexity, and a reason for being. In this masterclass, Lauren Carter will share a few unique techniques to help you discover your character’s layers and bring them more fully to life on the page. Come prepared with a pen, a notebook, and for your protagonist to surprise you!

Livestream Masterclass: How to Start Writing Plays
$30

Saturday, October 17th 11:15 AM- 12:15 PM


Where does a play begin? Sudbury playwright, novelist and creative writing instructor Matthew Heiti introduces the essential building blocks of playwriting, including character, conflict, dialogue and structure. Through short writing exercises, participants will generate ideas, develop distinct voices and begin writing a scene of their own. Perfect for beginners and writers curious about exploring a new form. No previous playwriting experience is required.

Livestream Masterclass: How to Start Writing Plays PWYC
Pay what you can

Saturday, October 17th 11:15 AM- 12:15 PM


Where does a play begin? Sudbury playwright, novelist and creative writing instructor Matthew Heiti introduces the essential building blocks of playwriting, including character, conflict, dialogue and structure. Through short writing exercises, participants will generate ideas, develop distinct voices and begin writing a scene of their own. Perfect for beginners and writers curious about exploring a new form. No previous playwriting experience is required.

LIVESTREAM Maggie Helwig In Conversation
$20

Friday, October 16th 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM


Maggie Helwig is a writer, activist and Anglican priest whose books include the award-winning Encampment and the newly released Instructions for the End of the World.

How do we care for one another when the systems meant to support us fall short? Maggie Helwig joins CBC Sudbury journalist Jessica Pope for a conversation about housing, resistance, faith and community. Together, they’ll explore the role of storytelling in listening to lived experience, making inequities visible and asking what solidarity can look like in practice.

LIVESTREAM Maggie Helwig In Conversation
$10

Friday, October 16th 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM


accessible rate (student, fixed income)


Maggie Helwig is a writer, activist and Anglican priest whose books include the award-winning Encampment and the newly released Instructions for the End of the World.

How do we care for one another when the systems meant to support us fall short? Maggie Helwig joins CBC Sudbury journalist Jessica Pope for a conversation about housing, resistance, faith and community.Together, they’ll explore the role of storytelling in listening to lived experience, making inequities visible and asking what solidarity can look like in practice.




LIVESTREAM Maggie Helwig In Conversation
Pay what you can

Friday, October 16th 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM


PWYC


Maggie Helwig is a writer, activist and Anglican priest whose books include the award-winning Encampment and the newly released Instructions for the End of the World.

How do we care for one another when the systems meant to support us fall short? Maggie Helwig joins CBC Sudbury journalist Jessica Pope for a conversation about housing, resistance, faith and community.Together, they’ll explore the role of storytelling in listening to lived experience, making inequities visible and asking what solidarity can look like in practice.



LIVESTREAM TELL A GOOD YARN: Storytelling Skills
Free

FREE EVENT


Saturday, October 17th 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM


Join Roger Dallaire for a bilingual storytelling session focused on the art of telling a good oral story. Learn practical tips for bringing a story to life, bring a craft to work on, or simply come listen.


Presented in collaboration with the Centre franco-ontarien de folklore.

LIVESTREAM The Sweet Plot: Romance
$20

Saturday, October 17th 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM


Take a mid-morning break with a little romantic tension. Authors Uzma Jalaluddin and Jessica Cunsolo, joined by Evermore Bookshop's Delaney Gervais, talk about meet-cutes, messy characters, and favourite tropes with House of Fae's Victoria Brock! Romance lovers and romance-curious readers are all welcome here. 

LIVESTREAM The Sweet Plot: Romance ACCESSIBLE RATE
$10

Saturday, October 17th 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM


Accessible rate (low income, pwyc)


Take a mid-morning break with a little romantic tension. Authors Uzma Jalaluddin and Jessica Cunsolo, joined by Evermore Bookshop's Delaney Gervais, talk about meet-cutes, messy characters, and favourite tropes with House of Fae's Victoria Brock! Romance lovers and romance-curious readers are all welcome here. 

LIVESTREAM Northern Exposure: Local Lit for Your TBR!
$20

Saturday, October 17th 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM


Whether you’re looking to add more books to the pile on your nightstand or connect with storytellers rooted in the local soil, this is the session where you’ll hear Northern voices come alive. Meet the talented writers who call this region home—emerging and established voices who reflect the spirit of the North.  Featured authors: Adam Mardero, Mat Del Papa,Tamsin Sheridan, Blaine Thorton, Holly Gutwillinger. Moderated by Scott Overton

LIVESTREAM Northern Exposure (ACCESSIBLE RATE)
$10

Saturday, October 17th 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM


accessible rate (student, fixed income)


Whether you’re looking to add more books to the pile on your nightstand or connect with storytellers rooted in the local soil, this is the session where you’ll hear Northern voices come alive. Meet the talented writers who call this region home—emerging and established voices who reflect the spirit of the North.  Featured authors: Adam Mardero, Mat Del Papa,Tamsin Sheridan, Blaine Thorton, Holly Gutwillinger. Moderated by Scott Overton

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