Local Author Showcase

We're celebrating local authors! Explore our resources below to check out our collection and discover reading lists featuring local authors, or take part in our author- and writing-themed Programs & Events. We've also compiled Resources for Readers & Writers you can use to improve your writing skills and work on getting published yourself!

Programs & Events

We host writing and local author programs and events throughout the year, including Poetry Month, Novel Writing Month and the Local Author Showcase. Find when these events are happening in the Events Calendar - sort by ‘Event Type’ and narrow your search to ‘Authors’ and ‘Books & Beyond’ using the check boxes.

Simcoe National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

The Library is the perfect space for authors and aspiring writers writing their National Novel Writing Month novel in November.

Join Simcoe County libraries as they celebrate National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and support writers on their journey to write a novel in one month with space to write, access to wifi, computers, resources and virtual socials/write-ins and events. Participating Libraries include; Barrie, Essa, Innisfil, New Tecumseth, Tay, and Clearview.

Visit the Simcoe NaNoWriMo webpage for a full schedule of events.

2024 Local Author Book Market

Connect with local authors during our book expo at the Painswick Library, 48 Dean Ave., Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Buy their latest titles in time for your holiday gift giving and reading. Join us to meet and hear book readings by local authors on our main stage.

SCHEDULE

10am-12pm KIDS AND TEEN AUTHORS

10-11:30am - Picture Book Readings at the Picture Book Stage. Teen Readings at the Main Stage. Meet young local authors and ask them how you might get a book published too!

1-4pm - ADULT AUTHORS

1-3:30pm - Local Author Readings at the Main Stage. Learn about your next great read and then go buy or borrow it!

Find out more by visiting the Library's Event Calendar.

Author Information

Interested in applying to participate? Complete the online vendor application form.

Please Note: We strive to find a balance to provide BPL Local Author Book Market attendees with the most diverse variety of authors and genres. We receive lots of interest and aim to ensure new authors have opportunities to participate. Authors who have participated in recent BPL local author events may not be considered to ensure everyone has the opportunity to connect with our community of readers. Approved vendors will be contacted.

Highlights from 2023's Local Author Book Market:

Poetry Month

We celebrate Poetry Month every April. This celebration was started by the non-profit organization The League of Canadian Poets. They are dedicated to supporting poets, building poetic communities, supporting inclusive free expression, and promoting Canadian poets and Poetry.

Culture Days: Stories in the Square

Culture Days is annual national celebration of arts, culture, and creativity! In 2023 as part of the Culture Days Kick Off with the City of Barrie, Local Authors sold books and participated in readings in our storytelling circle. Stay tuned for how we celebrate in 2024!

Resources for Readers & Writers

Check out the resources below for helpful links to our Program Portal, Digital Library resources that can help boost your skills, reading recommendations, local writing groups, and more.

Meet the Authors

Local Author Showcase: Features local author interviews, and videos on self-publishing.

Book Chats & Author Edition Book Chats: Staff and local authors we interview are excited to tell you about their favourite books, authors and resources.

BPL Comic Fest: Our annual event in September showcases local comic and graphic novelists and artists, visit our Comic Fest page for the annual call for vendors - watch interviews with them from previous years.

Storytimes – Discover a local picture book author to read with your family. Hear a local author children's story reading, check the Library's Events Calendar for upcoming local author events.

Discover & Borrow

myBPL Searches

Search for titles by local authors using the subject ‘Local Author’ in myBPL, or check out our staff-curated list of books by local authors.

Need help? Learn how to do basic searching in our Digital Library Academy tutorial.

Next 5

Not sure what to read next? Let us help you find new local authors to read!

Complete our Next5 form and we will gather 5 personalized suggestions for you. We can either send you a list of titles by email OR put aside recommendations for you to pick up in person.

Digital Library Resources

Take your writing to the next level with free online classes:

Universal class has a lot of writing courses.... 55 of them, including mystery, poetry, short story and novel writing!

Creativebug offers award-winning art video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists that can help you with:

developing your creative thinking and writing
creative journaling
creating a journal for your writing
beginning calligraphy
brush lettering
creative lettering, and more!

LinkedIn Learning enables you to develop your writing skills online, on your time. Courses are taught by industry experts on editing and proofreading, writing a bestselling novel, the craft of story, foundations of fiction and more.

Brainfuse HelpNow is the place to get live online study help from a professional tutor (disponible en français). Receive live help with English and French language learning, as well as advice and suggestions on writing style to improve your creative writing, fiction, poetry, assignments, or papers. Make use of the comments section when submitting your writing! This service helps you improve through learning and does not include direct edits or revisions.

Rave Reviews

Teens have a virtual way to earn volunteer hours at the library – by writing reviews! This is a great opportunity for teens who love to write.
Share comments and star ratings about why you love a local author’s book or other titles in our catalogue myBPL.

Writers in our Community

Discover a local literary journal to read or publish in, and find writing support groups in your area to gain support, resources, professional development, and networking opportunities.

Search for local Barrie and area community groups using the keyword ‘writing instruction’ in the Community Information Directory.

Find writing clubs and community groups that meet at the Library in the Events Calendar.