The & Festival 2024
In-person from October 4th - 5th, 2024
Sheridan’s Hazel McCallion Campus
4180 Duke of York Blvd, Mississauga, ON
The & Festival is an annual celebration of creative writing and publishing, hosted by The Ampersand Review and the Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing & Publishing at Sheridan College. The festival aims to bring together the writing and publishing communities in Canada through an inspiring keynote, a workshop series, insightful panels on craft and the industry, and a celebratory soirée to announce the winner of The Ampersand Review's Essay Contest.
The & Festival focuses on the interwoven nature of writing and publishing, demonstrating that the two go hand-in-hand and should be approached together. Each of our panels will bring together writers and publishing professionals to offer perspectives from across the industry.
The & Books Market
The & Books Market will take place on Saturday, October 5th at Sheridan College’s Hazel McCallion Campus in Mississauga and offers an opportunity for festival attendees to discover the many independent presses, publishers, and literary magazines that Ontario has to offer. The market is scheduled to take place from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on the Saturday of the festival. Come connect with amazing independent presses and magazines and pick up your next great read!
Ticket Pricing Policy
Early-bird tickets now available for $25.
Sheridan students receive free admission to both Friday and Saturday of The & Festival. Student ID is required with purchase and at the door. Students much use their student email to purchase tickets.
Non-Sheridan Students have free access to all events on Friday. Purchase is required for Saturday programming. Student ID is required with purchase and at the door. Students must use their student email to purchase tickets.
General Admission tickets available for $30 to all non-student attendees beginning September 1st.
land acknowledgement
The Ampersand Review of Writing & Publishing would like to acknowledge that the land on which we are housed has been and still is the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, the Métis, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Since time immemorial, numerous Indigenous nations and Indigenous peoples have lived and passed through this territory,
We recognize this territory by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty which emphasizes the importance if joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships,
The Ampersand Review of Writing & Publishing affirms it is our collective responsibility to honour and respect those who have gone before us, those who are here, and those who have yet to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to be working and living on this land.
Stay up to date on all festival news by following us on our social media accounts and checking our website, all linked here. We will also be updating this page as new information is released!
The & Festival Schedule
Friday, October 4th: workshops
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM - Building a Career as a Writer
Get tips from an established author on how to balance the many aspects of a creative career. Join us in a discussion about freelance work, making time for creative projects and more!
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM - Q&A with a Literary Agent
Looking to build a perfect pitch? Unsure about how to approach an agent? Bring your questions to literary agent Kelvin Kong to learn the ins and outs of literary representation.
BREAK (bring your own lunch)
2:30 PM - 3:20 PM - Building a Career Alongside the Arts
This workshop is for those looking to broaden their professional scope within the arts industry. Join Sue Carter to discuss the many opportunities in arts administration, management and community building!
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM - Book Design 101
Learn the basics of what goes into making good book design with award-winning designer Michel Vrana!
4:30 - 6:30 PM - & Soirée and Open Mic
Join us as we celebrate the opening of our festival with a night of music, mingling, and performance. Following the announcement of the winner of The Ampersand Review Essay Contest, we will be opening the floor to any & Festival attendees who would like to perform at our Open Mic! More details and sign-up coming soon.
Saturday, October 5th: Panels
9 :30AM - 10:00AM - Registration
10:00 AM - 10:10 AM - Opening Remarks
10: 10 AM - 11:00AM - Making History: Building the Publishing of Tomorrow
A discussion about how the influences of publishing today are helping to shape the industry of tomorrow. Join publishers at the forefront of modern Canadian publishing to learn how they’ve navigated professional barriers.
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM - Weaving the Self into Story: An Exploration of Auto-fiction
Where does real life end and story begin? Let’s find out! Hear how recent auto-fiction writers walk the line between imagination and experience.
Break (lunch provided)
1:00 PM - 1:50 PM - Reimagining Histories Through Poetry
In this panel, CanLit poets discuss how their work has created a platform for forging community and amplifying untold stories.
2:00 PM - 2:50 PM - Navigating Vulnerabilities in Life Writing
Writing a memoir can be an intimate and difficult task, but these writers were up for the challenge! Join us in exploring the processes behind how our panelists put their life to the page.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Keynote and Closing Reception
We’re closing out this year’s festival with a Keynote from the cover star of The Ampersand Review Issue No. 6, Canisia Lubrin! Join us following Canisia’s keynote for an & festival send-off and reception.
