For Immediate Release

IFOA BRINGS CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL AUTHORS TO 17 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE PROVINCE

Toronto, September 14, 2015 ----- The 36th edition of the International Festival of Authors hits the road for its annual touring programme, IFOA Ontario , bringing literary events to 17 locations across the province from October 17 to November 9, 2015. This year, Canadian and international authors will visit Brantford , Burlington , Etobicoke , Hamilton , London , Markham , Midland , Oliver Paipoonge , Orillia , Owen Sound , Parry Sound , Penetanguishene , Scarborough , St. Catharines , Thunder Bay , Windsor and Woodstock .

Now in its ninth year, IFOA Ontario partners with libraries, bookstores, universities and community organizations across Ontario to present the world’s most exciting writers of contemporary literature in readings, interviews, round table discussions and public book signings.

Geoffrey E. Taylor , Director of IFOA , says: “This year, IFOA Ontario is bigger than it’s ever been before. The touring programme is not only a wonderful opportunity for audiences to meet authors in person, but also for authors to experience the beautiful province of Ontario. We are thrilled to bring over 25 outstanding Canadian and international authors to 17 communities.”

This year’s participating authors include buzzed-about debut novelist Tracey Lindberg ; RBC Taylor Prize-winning author Plum Johnson ; acclaimed Canadian biographer Rosemary Sullivan ; Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalists; Scotiabank finalist Russell Smith ; Amazon.ca First Novel Award winner Michel Basilières ; Scotiabank Giller Prize winners and Richard B. Wright ; for Poetry finalist Deanna Young ; critically acclaimed Canadian author Lauren B. Davis; Governor General’s Award for Fiction winners Dionne Brand and ; Man Booker Prize winner Anne Enright; bestselling thriller writer Giles Blunt ; Somerset Maugham Award winner Owen Sheers ; Lambda Literary Award winner Farzana Doctor ; acclaimed graphic novelists Dylan Horrocks and Seth ; dynamic Canadian poets Stevie Howell and Jeff Latosik ; Pat Lowther Memorial Award winner Erín Moure ; Commonwealth Writers Prize winner Marina Endicott ; popular Catalan poet Martí Sales ; two-time Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour winner Terry Fallis ; Atlantic Book Award winner Alexander MacLeod and Journey Prize winner Miranda Hill .

Visit litontour.com for a full list of participants, events and biographies.

Tickets can be purchased now through the box offices listed in the schedule of events below, online at litontour.com or through the Harbourfront Centre Box Office at 416-973-4000 .

-30- About IFOA Each October, the IFOA presents a wide range of readings, round table discussions, onstage interviews, book signings and a number of special events featuring the world’s most exciting authors of contemporary literature. This year’s 36th edition of the International Festival of Authors takes place October 22 – November 1, 2015. IFOA also includes the touring programme IFOA Ontario , which stops in locations throughout the province. Tickets for both IFOA and IFOA Ontario are now on sale , except where noted. Visit ifoa.org for more information.

MEDIA CONTACTS Meghan Gribben: [email protected]; 416-973-4395 Maeve O’Regan: [email protected]; 416-973-5836 ______

IFOA ONTARIO SCHEDULE

IFOA BRANTFORD In partnership with Planet IndigenUS and Woodland Cultural Centre Friday , October 30 , 7pm READING/RECEPTION: Tracey Lindberg Woodland Cultural Centre, Museum Building 184 Mohawk Street Box Office : Woodland Cultural Centre, 519-759-2650 FREE

IFOA BURLINGTON In partnership with A Different Drummer Books and the Burlington Public Library Monday , October 19 , 7pm READING/INTERVIEW: Plum Johnson , Rosemary Sullivan A Different Drummer Books 513 Locust Street Box Office : A Different Drummer Books, 905-639-0925 or [email protected] $5

IFOA ETOBICOKE In partnership with Humber College School of Creative & Performing Arts Wednesday , October 21 , 2pm READING/INTERVIEW: Authors TBD Humber College Lakeshore Campus 3199 Lakeshore Boulevard West, 'A' Building Info : litontour.com

IFOA HAMILTON In partnership with Bryan Prince Bookseller and Hillfield Strathallan College Thursday , October 29 , 7:00pm READING/ROUNDTABLE: Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize finalists Hillfield Strathallan College 299 Fennell Avenue West Box Office : Bryan Prince Bookseller, 905-528-4508 $15

IFOA LONDON In partnership with London Public Library and WordsFest London Saturday , November 7 , TBD READING/INTERVIEW: Russell Smith Museum London 421 Ridout Street North FREE

IFOA MARKHAM In partnership with Markham Arts Council, Markham Public Library Friday , October 30 , 6:30pm READING/RECEPTION: Giles Blunt , Nino Ricci , Owen Sheers Markham Village Public Library 6031 York Regional Road 7 Box Office : http://ifoa-m.eventsmaster.ca $50 (readings and reception) $20 (readings only)

IFOA MIDLAND In partnership with the Midland Cultural Centre and Midland Public Library Monday , November 2 , 7:30pm READING/INTERVIEW: Richard B. Wright Midland Cultural Centre, Rotary Hall 333 King St Box Office : Midland Public Library, 705-526-4216 $15 Doors open at 7pm

IFOA OLIVER PAIPOONGE In partnership with Oliver Paipoonge Public Library Thursday , November 5 , 11am MEET AND GREET: Miranda Hill Oliver Paipoonge Public Libray, Murillo Branch 1 Baxendale Road FREE

IFOA ORILLIA In partnership with the Stephen Leacock Museum and in association with the Orillia Public Library, Manticore Books and Chippewas of Rama First Nation Thursday , October 22 , 7:30pm READING/ROUNDTABLE: Michel Basilières , Erín Moure Stephen Leacock Museum 50 Museum Drive Box Office : Stephen Leacock Museum, 705 329-1908 $12 regular/$10 students & seniors

IFOA OWEN SOUND In partnership with Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Monday , November 9 , 7pm READING: Stevie Howell , Jeff Latosik Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, Auditorium 824 1st Ave W Box Office : Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, 519-376-6623 $5

IFOA PARRY SOUND In partnership with Parry Sound Books Thursday , October 29 , 7:30pm READING/ROUNTABLE: Marina Endicott , Anne Enright , Nino Ricci , Deanna Young The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts 2 Bay Street Box Office : The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts, 705-746-4466 or 1-877-746-4466 $15

IFOA PENETANGUISHENE In partnership with Penetanguishene Public Library Monday , November 2 , 1pm MEET AND GREET: Richard B. Wright Penetanguishene Public Library 24 Simcoe Street FREE

IFOA SCARBOROUGH In partnership with the University of Scarborough and Robert H.N. HO Family Foundation Tuesday , October 27 , 2pm WORKSHOP: Christian Bök Scarborough Campus, Room MW130 1265 Military Trail Info : litontour.com

IFOA SCARBOROUGH In partnership with the University of Toronto Scarborough Tuesday , October 27 , 7pm READING/INTERVIEW: Helen Humphreys , Rosemary Sullivan University of Toronto Scarborough Campus 1265 Military Trail Info : litontour.com

IFOA ST. CATHARINES In partnership with Niagara Arts Centre Friday , October 30 , 7pm READING/ROUNDTABLE: Dylan Horrocks , Seth Niagara Artists Centre 354 St.Paul Street PWYC, suggested $10

IFOA THUNDER BAY In partnership with CBC Radio, Lakehead University, Northern Women’s Bookstore, Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Thunder Bay Public Library Wednesday , November 4 , 7pm READING/ROUNDTABLE: Dionne Brand , Elizabeth Hay , Miranda Hill , Alexander MacLeod Thunder Bay Art Gallery 1080 Keewatin Street Box Office : Thunder Bay Public Library, 807-684-6814 $10

IFOA WINDSOR In partnership with BookFest Windsor Saturday , October 17 , 8:00pm READING/INTERVIEW: Terry Fallis The Capitol Theatre 121 University Avenue West Box Office : www.bookfestwindsor.com or Capitol Theatre $20/17 in advance (day pass) $5 for students

IFOA WOODSTOCK In partnership with Woodstock Public Library Wednesday, October 21 , 7pm READING: Lauren B. Davis , Farzana Doctor , Terry Fallis , Martí Sales Knox Presbyterian Church 59 Riddell Street Box Office : Woodstock Public Library, 519-539-4801 and Merrifield Bookshop, 519 539-4220 $15