#BOOKS: TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) celebrated an inspiring year in the world of literature and publishing with its 46th Annual Festival which took place October 29-November 2, 2025. The Festival’s new 5-day format featured more than 100 events, including engaging author conversations, thought-provoking panels, masterclasses, interactive workshops and book signings. Since its inception TIFA has established Toronto as a global leader in uniting authors and audiences.

2025 marked TIFA’s inaugural year as an independent organization, offering audiences new and exciting ways to engage with its authors and events. The change represents the next chapter in TIFA’s storied history of championing literary excellence in a city that has produced so many world-renowned writers.

Held at the historic Victoria University in the University of Toronto, the Festival transformed the heart of the city into a vibrant hub for literary exchange and creative exploration.

The Festival kicked-off with a captivating conversation with the PEN Canada Graeme Gibson Talk 2025: Notes on the New America with Rachel Maddow and Rebecca Solnit, a powerful opening that set the tone for a week of insightful conversations and vibrant celebration of the written word.

“With thousands of book lovers flocking to events throughout the Festival, this has been our busiest and best-attended festival in many years,” said Roland Gulliver, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Festival of Authors. “We’ve been delighted with the audience response to our new venue, Victoria University at the University of Toronto, which was alive with storytelling and conversation over the five days of our fantastic programme. The Festival’s growth is a testament to the passionate readers of Toronto and beyond, and to the talented writers who travelled here from far and wide to share their ideas and stories.”

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED:

Kōtarō Isaka had his first North American appearance promoting his new novel, Hotel Lucky Seven

Kiran Desai: The 2006 Man Booker Prize Winner presents her new novel The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny (Booker longlisted for 2025) in her only Canadian appearance

Richard Armitage: TV star of The Hobbit and many Harlan Coben adaptations on his new novel, The Cut (photo above)

Alka Joshi New York Times and Toronto Star Best Selling Author discussed her newest historical novel Six Days in Bombay

CANADIAN VOICES

A spotlight on Canada’s most acclaimed authors:

Giller Prize winners Ian Williams, Michael Redhill, and Souvankham Thammavongsa launched their new novels

Much loved Canadian authors Thomas King, Madeleine Thien, Emma Donoghue, and Guy Gavriel Kay presented their new books

Andrew Coyne, Globe & Mail columnist, spoke on Canada’s democratic institutions

Brian Stewart on his life as a foreign correspondent with the CBC

Joy Fielding took audiences on a ride with her newest thriller Jenny Cooper Has a Secret

FESTIVAL OF INDIGENOUS STORIES, CO-CURATED WITH NIIGAAN SINCLAIR:

A spotlight on Canada’s Indigenous Voices:

Brian Thomas Isaac

David A Robertson

Katherena Vermette

Kyle Edwards

Tracey Lindberg

Follow along on social:

Facebook: facebook.com/FestofAuthors/

Instagram: instagram.com/festofauthors/

YouTube: youtube.com/user/AuthorsatHC

About TIFA:

The Toronto International Festival of Authors has been inspiring readers and celebrating books and storytelling for 50 years. The charitable organization presents its flagship literary Festival each fall, while offering year-round programming including the MOTIVE Crime & Mystery Festival, the TIFA Romance Festival, the TIFA Presents series of high-profile author talks, Toronto Lit Up book launches, and the International Visitors Program. Since 1974, TIFA has welcomed thousands of authors from more than 100 countries, including 22 Nobel Laureates and countless award winners. The organization is a proud member of the Canadian Association of Literary Festivals (CALF) and the Global Alliance of Literary Festivals (GaoLF).

TIFA gratefully acknowledges our Season Supporter, the Weston Foundations; our Global Authors Club, for providing additional philanthropic support; the Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Ontario, Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, the Toronto Arts Council, the Work In Culture Catalyst and Transformation Fund, the Centre for Creativity at Victoria University, and TIFA’s generous donors and supporters who understand that great literature is worth investing in.

(Photo credit: Shawn Goldberg)