Anyone who loves to read will feel right at home at the Toronto International Festival of Authors. TIFA is returning to Toronto from September 19-29 for a celebration of storytelling and imagination that’s not to be missed. Get up close with your favourite authors, hear the stories behind your favourite books, and add some new releases (including some of our top picks for Fall 2024) to your reading list!

Over the next 11 days, more than 100 authors from around the world will gather for engaging talks, readings, masterclasses, performances and exhibits, including many free activities. The theme of TIFA this year is “writing home” — exploring the stories, cultures and conflicts that inform our idea of home. 

With so many events to choose from, we’ve gathered 10 highlights from TIFA’s lineup this year— from talks with international superstars like Liane Moriarty, to conversations about the complexities of women’s stories, to a special celebration of Indigenous stories just in time for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.

Here are 10 events to check out at TIFA 2024:

Liane Moriarty. Photo by Uber Photography

A Flight of Revelations

Sept 19, 5:30pm

Don’t miss acclaimed author Liane Moriarty at the opening night of TIFA! She will be discussing her new book, Here One Moment (one of our most anticipated reads this fall), a gripping story about a flight on which each passenger learns how and when they are going to die. See Moriarty in conversation with Canadian author Ashley Audrain (The Push, The Whispers), as these two incredible storytellers explore questions of free will and destiny. More info. 

Journeys Through Time

Sept 20, 6:30pm

Sarah Polley moderates this discussion with acclaimed Canadian poet and novelist Anne Michaels. Hear about the making of her latest, Held, shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize. This breathtaking work spans a century shaped and damaged by war, finding the beauty among brutality. More info. 

Geraldine DeRuiter. Photo by Rachel Crowl

Women’s Rights and Tasty Bites

Sept 20, 7:30pm

Best known for her scathing essay on misogyny in the food industry, Geraldine DeRuiter offers a healthy serving of feminism in her book If You Can’t Take the Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism and Fury. In this conversation moderated by Toronto food writer Karon Liu, the award-winning blogger will discuss her sizzling collection of essays about her adventures in the food world, anxiety, and how she learned to embrace being “hangry.” More info.

Bad Artist, Good Art: Caught Between Creativity and Productivity

Sept 21, 12pm

In a world that worships productivity, many artists struggle to keep creating. Pamela Oakley, Gillian Turnbull, and Nellwyn Lampert, the authors and editors of Bad Artist: Creating in a Productivity Obsessed World, come together to reflect on the importance of creativity and resisting productivity culture. More info. 

Deepa Rajagopalan. Photo by Ema Suvajac

Women Unscripted: Exploring Identity, Humour and Resilience

Sept 21, 12pm

These two authors have both released witty, insightful short story collections, and we know this convo will provide a unique perspective on feminism, privilege and surviving in this world as a woman. Zoe Whittall’s Wild Failure explores themes of shame, desire and disconnection, while Deepa Rajagopalan writes about diasporic Indian experiences, social media and identity in Peacocks of Instagram. More info.

Swooning for Romance Novels

Sept 22, 1:30pm

Settle in for a hilarious and relatable conversation with two Toronto-based romance authors. Lily Chu (The Takedown) and Jackie Lau ( Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie) are both known for writing strong Asian female characters, and their latest novels are no exception. Their leads are up against scandals at an intimidating luxury fashion firm and meddling mothers…but it’s all worth it for love. More info. 

Gloria Blizzard

Finding Families in Many Forms

Sept 25, 6:15pm

Our identities can split us apart, but can they also bring us together? Award-winning Canadian essayists Gloria Blizzard and Jenny Heijun Wills dive deep into community, culture and chosen families in their latest releases. Blizzard examines the power of belonging in Black Cake, Turtle Soup and Other Dilemmas, and Wills unpacks her experiences as an adoptee in Everything and Nothing At All: Essays, exploring her complex relationships with identity, ethnicity and family. More info. 

Voices of Fire and Resilience

Sept 29, 3:30pm

As part of TIFA’s Festival of Indigenous Stories, these two powerhouse authors and journalists will share their remarkable journeys. From navigating systemic oppression to finding purpose in demanding justice for their communities, don’t miss this captivating conversation between Brandi Morin and Angela Sterritt on Indigenous issues and the transformative power of storytelling. More info.

Tea, Cake and Stories of Sorcery

Sept 28, 11:30am

Satisfy your cravings for sweets and sweeping historical fiction at this brunch-time event with authors Kate Heartfield (The Tapestry of Time) and Anna Rasche (Stone Witch of Florence). Tea, coffee and a selection of pastries will be served as the pair dive into the lore around the main characters of their historical fiction/fantasy novels and whether their superpowers are supernatural or superstition. More info. 

Margaret Augustine and Lauren Beck. Photo by Patricia Bourque

Savouring Indigenous Heritage

Sept 29, 11am

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just love exploring new cuisines, you won’t want to miss this delicious dive into the world of Mi’kmaq recipes and the cultural significance behind them. Margaret Augustine and Lauren Beck, authors of the new cookbook, Mitji – Let’s Eat!, will share their favourite dishes from this collection of easy-to-make recipes that honour Mi’kmaw traditions and knowledge passed down through generations. More info.

See the full TIFA schedule here. You can buy single-day or multi-day passes, with discounts for students and youth under 25, as well as group rates.