Local Author Showcase

Local Author Book Market

Looking for that perfect gift? Visit our Book Market to support local and buy a local author's book for that special someone.

When: Saturday, December 3 from 2-4pm at the Downtown Library

More Details: Scroll down and choose the 2022 Local Author Book Market drop down menu to find out more about the event and the 25 participating local authors.


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.

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.

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.

2022 Local Author Book Market

Connect with local authors during our book Expo Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 2:00-4:00pm and 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. Get excited by exploring our Local Author Showcase.

Rivendell Books  
 Luna Alva   Borrow      
 Sylvia Barnard   Borrow      
 J.L. Benson   Borrow Borrow Borrow Borrow
Harry Binnendyk  
 Julie B. Campbell and Amanda Giasson (Perspective Book Series) Borrow Borrow Borrow Borrow
 Edward Danko        
Sean Patrick Dolan   Borrow      
 Katrina Doucet   Borrow      
Margot Edge (Author)&  Valerie Losell (Illustrator) Borrow Borrow  
 Maryna Gaidar          
Megan Galati      
 Dean Gessie   Borrow      
 Jessica Hamilton   Borrow Coming May 2023    
 Bruce Hanson          
 Naiobi James    Borrow      
 Marilyn Lamb   Borrow    Borrow
 Kristin Larsen          
 Beverley Neilson   Borrow Borrow    
Catherine Nevin-Pike Borrow      
Anaiah Ofori-Poku   Borrow      
Dorothy Sjoholm   Borrow      
Raimo Strangis    Coming soon... Borrow Borrow  
Tyneisha Ternent   Borrow      
Mala Thapar      
Kylie Victoria   Borrow      
Garry Willard Borrow      
Colleen Winter Borrow Borrow    

 

Picture Book Reading

Location: Second floor kids area, Downtown Branch of BPL

Time Picture Book Author
2:00pm Kylie Victoria
2:15pm Catherine Nevin-Pike
2:30pm Anaiah Ofori-Poku
2:45pm Margot Edge (Author) & Valerie Losell (Illustrator)
3:00pm Harry Binnendyk
3:30pm Megan Galati
 

Local Author Lightning Book Talks

Learn about your next great read and then go buy or borrow it!

Location: Gathering Space, Main Stage, Downtown Branch of BPL

Time: 2pm – 4pm

Schedule:

2:05 – 2:09 Welcome

2:10pm – 2:46 First 12 Talks

Time Author
2:10pm Luna Alva
2:13pm Sylvia Barnard
2:16pm Harry Binnendyk
2:19pm Julie B. Campbell and Amanda Giasson
2:22pm Edward Danko
2:25pm Sean Patrick Dolan
2:28pm Katrina Doucet
2:31pm Maryna Gaidar
2:34pm Megan Galati
2:37pm Dean Gessie
2:40pm Jessica Hamilton
2:43pm Mala Thapar

Break in the Talks until 3pm
3pm – 3:33 Second 12 Talks

Time Author
3:00pm Bruce Hanson
3:03pm Naiobi James 
3:06pm Marilyn Lamb
3:09pm Kristin Larsen
3:12pm Beverley Neilson
3:15pm Anaiah Ofori-Poku
3:18pm Dorothy Sjoholm
3:21pm Raimo Strangis
3:24pm Tyneisha Ternent
3:27pm Garry Willard
3:30pm Colleen Winter
3:33pm Kylie Victoria

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


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.

 

Coffee Chats: BPL staff have casual conversations about important issues with special guests.

BPL Comic Con: Our annual event in September showcases local comic and graphic novelists and artists - watch interviews with them from previous years.

Storytimes – discover a local picture book author to read with your family.

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

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.