Merilyn Simonds is a Brazilian-raised international author of over 20 novels who was unexpectedly immersed in Kingston's strong writers' community in the 90s. After attending many literary festivals in surrounding cities, learning that Kingston holds the title for having the most book clubs per capita in Canada, and having experienced Kingston's strong writing community firsthand, she believed that Kingston was in desperate need of a similar event.

M: Why isn't there one in Kingston? We have a huge writing community here... So, you know, I had to do something."

When Merilyn brought up the idea to Jan Walter, who had helped her publish her first novel, Jan agreed that Kingston would be the perfect city for an event such as the one Merilyn had in mind. Jan, who had previously resided in Toronto, began her career in the literary world by working in local bookstores. After years of experience and helping establish a non-fiction publishing company, Jan had also attended her fair share of writers' events around Canada.

Together, Merilyn and Jan knew that a good literary festival isn't just about putting writers on a stage. To them, success would depend on balancing the needs of both the audience and the writers. When one side feels valued, it's carried over to the other, making sure both sides are excited and inspired to return. By nurturing both groups, Kingston WritersFest has built an atmosphere that sparks excitement for reading and allows creativity to flourish in the community.

Kingston has always been celebrated as a place where the local arts community is deeply woven into the city's identity. Perhaps because of this, Kingston audiences tend to be more attentive and enthusiastic compared to those in larger cities. Many visiting writers enjoy the energy of Kingston audiences, making the city an ideal setting for a literary festival. Plus, as Jan says,

“It was dense with writers. It was lousy with writers. I couldn't believe how many writers lived in the city or outskirts. That was one of the attractions of Kingston, there were so many good writers here”.   

With a vibrant community of poets and authors and a deep appreciation for literature, the city has become a cultural hub for readers and writers alike.

For the second edition of Kingston WritersFest in 2010, Merilyn and Jan organized a stunning event featuring authors J.M. Coetzee and Paul Oscar. Their contrasting stage presence and the book they had already been collaborating on drew national attention from fans of the distinct pair and coverage from The New York Times. Coupled with the festival's 2009 dazzling debut featuring Margaret Atwood, momentum began to grow, and Kingston WritersFest quickly gained the reputation needed to start drawing readers and writers from far beyond Kingston.

From the start, Merilyn and Jan knew that they were not only starting a festival, they were helping to nurture the literary community within Kingston. They broadened their programming to embrace all types of books, as they believe that every story has something worth discussing. Suitably, festival programs and events have spanned many genres, including mysteries, graphic novels, romance, and more, ensuring that everyone, whether a reader or a writer, can find something at Kingston WritersFest that interests them.   

Behind the scenes, Kingston WritersFest also created many community outreach programs specifically geared towards young readers and students. Programs such as Authors@School and their annual school field trip days always spark excitement among groups of young aspiring writers who attend the festival's events and workshops. Since KWF’s first year in 2009, these programs have carried their own "buzz", something that people look forward to and want to be a part of.   

For 16 years, Kingston WritersFest has created a welcoming environment for all types of readers and writers, while attracting big names to Kingston. Despite all this recognition, like many other festivals and public events, Kingston's WritersFest struggled to rebound from the seismic shifts that came with the pandemic. In February of 2025, facing significant financial challenges, organizers of the festival made the tough decision to close its doors. When this was announced publicly, they received a massive outpouring of support and donations from local writers and long-time festival attendees, saddened by the possibility that the festival had reached its final chapter. As Jan says,

“We did fundraising to pay off the debts. And that's a hard thing to do, it’s hard to ask people for money to pay off debts. At the end of that, it was more successful than we might have hoped. We were all shocked. People were so generous.” 

This powerful and immediate response from the public further fueled their growing determination to bring back the festival for another year.  
 
Aside from the support from the community the festival created over the years, one of the key individuals to the fundraising and restoration of WritersFest this past year has been acclaimed author and Canadian icon, Margaret Atwood.

Atwood's relationship with Merilyn, and by extension, Kingston's WritersFest, began around 30 years ago when both authors decided to write novels taking place at the Kingston Penitentiary. This strange coincidence, combined with the fact that both books were released around the same time, led to the two authors being paired together for many writing festivals on their respective book tours. Their relationship deepened during that year's Writers Fest in Vancouver...

M: "I was very nervous... and she put essential oil on my wrists, and said 'When you're reading, all you'll smell is this scent, and you'll be able to stay in your little scent bubble'. She was so kind, and we became friends after that."

Atwood attended Kingston’s festival with an on-stage performance in its inaugural year in 2009, and then gifted KWF with a generous personal donation in 2025. When Merilyn and Jan began planning a revival of the festival, and more specifically, the Festival Kick-off event that happened just this past weekend on August 24th, Atwood was a natural choice to headline and she returned once again to support the festival, this time with an eye on revival. The sold-out event was a joyful, crowd-pleasing celebration that marked an important milestone in the festival’s rebirth.  

This year's Kingston WritersFest will be taking place from September 18th – 21st with an incredibly rich program featuring authors such as Carol Off, Madeleine Thien, Paul Vermeersch, Katherine Ashenburg, and Ian Williams. With 13 onstage performances to choose from and many more events throughout the weekend, you are sure to find something that interests and inspires you.

When you attend Kingston’s WritersFest, you’re stepping into a larger conversation about stories, ideas, and the power of words. You’re participating in a community that celebrates the love of storytelling and the connections it creates. So, whether you're a new attendee or returning as a longtime fan of KWF, this year promises to be a four-day celebration of literature, creativity, and Kingston's vibrant literary community you won't want to miss.