Three days of award-winning and emerging Canadian writers, workshops, conversations, and community in Waterloo Region.

The Wild Writers Literary Festival takes place November 6–8, 2026, in Waterloo, Ontario. Now in its 15th year, the festival brings new and established Canadian writers to audiences throughout Waterloo Region for a weekend of readings, conversations, panels, masterclasses, workshops, and opportunities to connect as a literary community.

Presented by The New Quarterly (TNQ), in partnership with the Balsillie School of International Affairs, and Words Worth Books, Wild Writers has spent 15 years creating a space in Waterloo Region where people can encounter extraordinary Canadian writers and connect with other readers.

This year's festival brings together a wide range of Canadian voices and perspectives, with programming that explores questions of identity, belonging, publishing, creativity, and the experiences that shape our stories. 

Learn more here: wildwriters.ca