By John Griffin
At the age of 15, the Knowlton Literary Festival is an established event in our greater cultural calendar. Bolstered by stellar organization, our bucolic location and local mystery icon Louise Penny’s steadfast support, the KLF attracts literary talent from across the country and around the world. The 15th edition, Oct. 16 to 18, is no exception.
The celebration kicks off Thursday, Oct. 16 at Brome Lake Books with readings by talented local authors, who then honour Festival tradition by visiting Knowlton Academy and Massey Vanier High School on Friday the 17th.
Saturday Events: October 18
Saturday’s venue is the Lac Brome Community Centre, featuring Penny in conversation with author and former Iceland First Lady Eliza Reid. Former TV news anchor Wendy Mesley talks with international writer Ausma Zehanat Khan about melding human rights with literature. And professor Roger Williams chats with mystery scribe and former Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin about human rights and best-selling books. The day begins with Diana Beresford-Kroeger discussing her latest novel, Our Green Heart.
Jaime Moar, who co-owns the The Well fitness studio and runs the terrace element of Knowlton Marina, is also a budding writer and she will come to the Festival on Friday with a contingent of
writers of non fiction work in progress and will read from her manuscript of That Does not Belong to Me, a non-fiction work about self-actualization and “the need to connect to your own truth.”
Closing Night Celebration
Location: Auberge Lakeview Inn
The fest wraps up Saturday evening with writer and Great Big Sea co-founder Sean McCann and his wife and writing partner Andrea Aragan.
A party, live music, and mad dancing end the night and the event.
“I’d have to say the line-up is pretty exciting,” exulted president Lucy Hoblyn of Brome Lake Books. “It’s also a real challenge. Without every member of our 8-person board accepting specific jobs, we would not have a festival.”
Informations
Date : 16 to 18 October 2025
Festival tickets are available at www.knowltonliteraryfestival.ca or by calling 450-242-2242.
Penny’s Latest Novel
Speaking of new books, The Black Wolf, Louise Penny’s latest, will officially launch Oct 28 in Ottawa.
Brome Lake Books is organizing a pre-launch party in Knowlton, Saturday, Oct 25.
Tickets sold out in minutes, but diehard fans can still buy a ticket to watch it online.