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Festival of Words
July 16-19th, 2026
Welcoming Canadian authors, poets, and musicians to Moose Jaw for a weekend of book readings, discussions, writing workshops, and more!
2026 Schedule
Thursday, July 16th​
9:00 AM
Getting Away with Murder with Janice McDonald Workshop
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A workshop on the elements of detective fiction from the formula itself to where to place red herrings and who to choose as victims.​​​​
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​​9:00 AM
World Building with Tonia Laird Workshop
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A breakdown of worldbuilding in Seventhblade, especially pertaining to real-world Indigenous history and how video game worldbuilding helps in with creating a novel's world, along with marketing and pitching your novel. Includes building out a character as a group and then using that character to "reverse engineer" interesting and unique aspects of the society they would live in.
1:00 PM
Who Are the Voices in Your Head with Jon Claytor Workshop
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Creating characters inspired by Jung's archetypes (the innocent, the protector, the magician etc.) and finding out what they have to say to each other.
1:00 PM
Great Big Book Club with Elinor Florence
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What's better than a book club? A book club where you can talk to the author! Sign up today to get the chance to ask Elinor Florence all your burning questions about Finding Flora. Hosted by Angie Abdou.
6:00 PM
Film: Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
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Desperately single and plagued by writer's block, Agathe gets invited to the Jane Austen Writers' Residency in England. Caught in an unexpected romantic triangle, she must let go of her insecurities to decide what she really wants for herself.
8:30 PM
Readception
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Not sure who you want to see at the festival? Come to our Readception and get a small taste of what is to come! Featuring mini readings by Kim Fu, Sydney Hegele, Conor Kerr, Uzma Jalaluddin, Sue Hincenbergs.
Friday, July 17th​
4:00 PM
Future Readers Panel
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A discussion of youth literacy and how future generations are reading today. Featuring Alice Kuipers, Monique Gray Smith and Karl Subban. Moderated by Amanda Leduc.
5:30 PM
Trivia Night
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​It’s an all time festival favourite. Brush up on your CanLit trivia and play alongside festival authors. You might even get your name engraved on our trophy!
Saturday, July 18th​
4:00 PM
Interview with Michael Crummey
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​Angie Abdou interviews award-winning author, Michael Crummey on his work and how the landscape of home shapes his stories.
8:00 PM
Saskatchewan Concert Showcase
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​It’s A showcase of Saskatchewan Talent featuring Megan Nash, Teagan Little Chief, and Last Birds.
Megan Nash has won and been nominated for numerous awards, including a 2019 JUNO Award nomination for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year for Seeker and a 2021 Best of Moose Jaw Award for Best Musical Artist. The recognition back home is in no small part due to her long and winding history of hitting the road, having performed in the United States, the UK, Germany, Portugal and Estonia on top of countless gigs in Canada’s small towns and sprawling metropolises.
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Teagan Littlechief is a dynamic country rock artist with a voice that captivates and a spirit that inspires. Known for multi octave range and commanding stage presence, Teagan has made a name for herself as one of Canada’s leading Indigenous country music musicians. Her music, a blend of country rock with elements of pop and storytelling, resonates deeply with listeners and has earned her multiple accolades, including the prestigious 2025 SASK Music Contemporary Indigenous Artists of The Year, 2024 SCMA Female Artist of the Year award. Teagan is also a three-time SCMA Indigenous Artist of the Year (2022, 2023, 2024), a testament to her talent and impact on the music scene.
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With haunting harmonies and intricate guitar work, Last Birds’ music is steeped in early country folk yet reflective of modern life. Using their small Canadian prairie town as a backdrop, Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold weave together rural legends and current day experiences to form a modern prairie gothic. Their songs veer away from overly romanticized views of small town life to peer into the dark corners of the local bar, peek in the windows of the abandoned house down the street and pine for something or someone beyond the veil.
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Sunday, July 19th​
9:00 AM
Breakfast and Panels
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​Looking Forward Panel: 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
Included in Breakfast and Panels event
A discussion of what the Canadian literature landscape will look like in the next 30 years and beyond with Glenn Dixon, Conor Kerr and Patty Krawec. Moderated by Amanda Leduc.
Looking Back Panel: 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
Included in Breakfast and Panels event
Join us in reflecting on the literary landscape in Saskatchewan with industry veterans Robert Currie, Louise Bernice Halfe and Tracey Hamon. Moderated by Angie Abdou