Launching with its Lift-Off Opening Party tonight, November 13th, and spanning three and a half days, the Association for Art and Social Change presents INSPIRE! Toronto International Book Fair, Canada’s largest book exposition for all things print and digital.
This weekend, INSPIRE! will host over 400 authors and their books, for all ages and interests, at eight stages and feature areas. The event will showcase everything from literary fiction to the most popular children’s books, from romance to mystery, from the science of business to the business of science, where the book in all its forms is the star of the show. INSPIRE! will take over the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Halls A and B, North Building, from November 14th to 16th.
Why do I recommend INSPIRE! Toronto International Book Fair?
Because it is a place for book lovers to connect, in the most immediate ways, with authors and with those who produce the books they love. A 3.5-day event that is part exhibition, part market, and part cultural festival is an excellent way to celebrate the love of reading.
INSPIRE! will feature the likes of Margaret Atwood, Sylvia Day, Jeff Kinney, Dav Pilkey, Kathy Reichs, Anne Rice, as well as, many more local and world-famous authors.
You can also get some shopping done at INSPIRE! There will also be a Marketplace where you can browse he booths of well-known publishers like Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and others to discover their new books and meet their authors, or you can also check out the carefully curated on-site bookstores like The Beguiling Books &Art, A Different Booklist, Book Thug, and You Are Special. These are just a few of the publishers who’ll be on-site. The Marketplace will feature a vast range of vendors. You can check the full listing online at torontobookfair.ca/exhibitors.
Be sure to take advantage of the professional shipping and wrapping services, courtesy of Critical Path Express and GiftWrapping by Yvonne, located near the Next Issue Café at booth 225
But that’s not all!
INSPIRE! will have 8 stages and feature areas including:
The International Pavilion showcasing12 countries, encompassing 25 languages and featuring 75 poly-cultural authors
The Children’s Activity Zone, featuring a gallery exhibit of 40 pieces of eye-catching original art, Capturing Imagination: The Art of Storytelling, curated by the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP). This gallery wall space will include both early versions and final pieces from renowned illustrators such as Barbara Reid, Michael Martchenko, and Brenda Clark.
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literary Circle is a space dedicated to celebrating the diverse voices of Aboriginal writers, storytellers, and performers and embodying the vibrancy and multi-faceted expression of indigenous literary experiences. Books and literary collections will be available for sale adjacent to the Circle, courtesy of GoodMinds.com.
Those intersted in indie writers should visit The Hub. This is the place for micro-publishers, emerging illustrators/authors, associations, and collectives to exhibit and sell their work.
INSPIRE! Hours And Prices*
Friday, November 14, from 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 15, from 10: 00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday, November 16, from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Adults: $15 + HST
Children aged 12 and under get in FREE with a paying adult
Lift-Off Opening Party, Thursday, November 13, from 7:00 – 11:00 pm. Priced at just $25 + HST, ticket includes welcome drink, entertainment on all stages, and food sampling.
*Ticket prices include re-admittance with a re-admit pass. This means tickets are valid all weekend. Free re-admission!
Whether you’re a book lover, a budding writer, or someone curious about literature, INSPIRE! is the place to be this weekend. For full schedule, authors & vendors listings, visit torontobookfair.ca.
