The Knowlton Literary Association will bring some of the best writers in Canada to the Eastern Townships for the ninth edition of the Knowlton Literary Festival October 11-14. It will also showcase local writers and offer a master class for Townships writers. The children at Knowlton Academy will have their own mini-festival with two well-known children’s writers.

The Festival opens on Thursday evening, October 11 at Centre Lac-Brome with a free event showcasing local writers. Wine and cheese will be served.

On Friday, October 12, during the day, Werner Zimmermann and Roy MacGregor will run a series of free sessions for the children of Knowlton Academy. On Friday evening, the main festival begins with a reception accompanied by food and refreshments, to be followed by Mark Abley’s launch of his latest book. Entitled Watch Your Tongue, the book explores the literal and figurative meanings of everyday idioms. On Saturday and Sunday, Abley will also host two workshops on the craft of writing.

On Saturday morning, the Festival offers parents and grandparents an insight into the world of children’s books. Werner Zimmermann will demonstrate how he uses art to connect to young children, followed by Isabelle Lafleche discussing the challenges of writing for teens. After lunch, Roy MacGregor will talk about Original Highways: Travelling the Great Rivers of Canada, his book on Canada’s first highways. In the afternoon, a panel of three writers appearing in the anthology Montreal Noir will talk about how they were inspired to see the “dark” side of Quebec’s great metropolis. On Saturday evening, Newfoundland writer, Wayne Johnston will discuss his latest book First Snow, Last Light.

On Sunday morning, at the Relais with coffee and croissants, Helen Antoniou will discuss her new book Back to Beer … and Hockey – The Story of Eric Molson with North Hatley novelist Anne Fortier. At the final event, during lunch at the Relais, crime writer Giles Blunt will reveal how minor characters can bring a novel to life.

Details of how to book tickets are on their website knowltonliteraryfestival.ca/ or on their Facebook page facebook.com/groups/88765604925