Cornwall Public Library presents its third WritersFest event to help aspiring writers and authors get started in a writing career. The event is a series of workshops, 15 in total all related to writing and getting published. The workshops are spread over an 8 day period beginning on Sunday, October 20 and running through to Sunday, October 27. It is for the novice as much as it is for the more established writer that may be looking to further their writing career. People can choose to sign up to as many sessions as they wish. All free.

It coincides with Ontario Public Library Week, the fourth week in October which in turn is designated as Canadian Library Month throughout Canada. The month raises public awareness of the valuable role that libraries play in the everyday lives of Canadians. Communities are invited to celebrate the many resources and experiences that your local public library provides.

This year’s theme, Libraries Connect / Bibliothèques Branchées, speaks to the need that all Canadians have to connect with each other on a personal and social level. Libraries provide a place where individuals and groups can connect as they explore ideas, thoughts and facts. Libraries help to connect ideas of the past, to those of the present and the future. The Canadian Urban Libraries Council reports that library use has increased by 45% in the past decade. This shows that from sea to sea to sea, libraries provide information and connect people to the resources they need – regardless of who they are, where they are from or what they want to know.

Libraries connect people with resources and, all year, they explore and acquire new and varied materials to provide the broadest selection for library patrons to connect people, ideas, and communities. Libraries provide up‐to‐date downloadable books, music, movies, Internet access, electronic databases, eReaders, gaming and social media, print collections, reference services, and public programs to help people find what they need.

A list below enumerates the many activities planned during Ontario Public Library Week at Cornwall Public Library. For information on all activities and services, please call the library at 613-932-4796 or visit us in person at 45 Second Street east, corner of Sydney. Free parking weekends and after 6pm weekdays.

Sunday, October 20

The Writing Life: A personal glimpse into writing as a career with Joan Levy Earle – 1:30 pm

Monday, October 21

Time for Twos: Children’s program – 10:00 am

Teen Hangout Time: Teen related fun – 3:30

Cornwall & Region Writers Society: Writing club meeting – 6:15 pm

The Killer Report: create a report that raises your influence with David Rawnsley – 6:30 pm

Writing From the Child Within: insights from Lisa Lalonde-Boucher, a children’s book author – 6:30 pm

Tuesday, October 22

Les Écrilibristes à L’œuvre : Cercle d’écriture créative avec Nicole Labelle – 16 h

I’ve Written a Book, Now What?: How do I know if my book is ready to publish with Denise Neilson – 6:30 pm

Library Zombie Walk: Children’s program – 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 23

The Forum: Discussion with David Rawnsley – 9:30 am

Les bambins à la biblio : pour enfants – 10 h

Chess for Adults – 6:15pm

Bridge for Adults – 6:15 pm

The World of Children’s Literacy: a lot more to it than “See Jane Run” with Lyne Lapalme- 6:30 pm

Nanowrimo: write a novel in one month with Mindy Crump – 6:30 pm

Science & Nature Speaker Series: “Eels & the St. Lawrence” – 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 24

Baby Tales : Children’s program – 10:00 am

Storytime: Children’s program – 10:00 am

Cornwall Scrabble – 1:00 pm

Yu-Gi-Oh! Card Club: Children’s program – 6:00 pm

Music to My Ears: Performances and insight on song writing with Roxanne Delage. – 6:30 pm.

Friday, October 25

Library Resources for Writers and Authors: resources for the aspiring writer with Sonja Irving – 10:00 am

The Art of the Interview: interview and write your article effectively with Lorna Foreman – 1:30 pm

Giant Book Sale (Friends of the Cornwall Public Library) Friday, Oct. 25 & Saturday, Oct. 26 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Saturday, October 26

The Mystery of Writing Mysteries: writing, starting a publishing house, audio books etc with Melissa Yuan-Innes – 9:30 am

Drop in Family Storytime/Heure du conte familiale porte-ouverte : Children’s program – 10:00 am

Yoga Youth: Children’s program – 10:00 am

Paws’n Books: Children’s program – 11:00 am

E-Books & Kobo: an inside look at eBook publishing – 11:00 am

So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer: a tell-all session about the joys and pitfalls of the freelance writing life with Christine Peets – 1:00 pm

Check Mates: Children’s program – 2:00 pm

Sunday, October 27

Writing as a Practice For Personal Discovery: Journaling, recording random thoughts or free flow writing with Betty Healey – 12:30 pm

In The Beginning There Was…Research!: Join Jennifer DeBruin as she speaks on the subject of research, a critical part of writing any story – 2:15 pm