When is the 2022 festival?
The festival will be held from September 9-11, 2022. The main event will be held on Sunday September 11, from noon-6 p.m., in the village of Eden Mills.
Where is Eden Mills?
Eden Mills is a hamlet 12 km east of Guelph, Ontario, and 80 km west of Toronto. We offer a map and more specific directions here.
Do you have a COVID-19 Safety Plan?
You can read our COVID-19 Safety Plan here.
Is there parking?
Parking is available at 136 Barden Street (West Parking lot) and 19 Memorial Street (East Parking lot). Follow the signs as you approach the village. There is a shuttle bus from the West Parking lot to the Barden St. gate.
What should I bring with me?
Bring a folding lawn chair, blanket or waterproof ground cover, a hat, an umbrella (just in case!), a reusable water bottle and an inquisitive mind.
When will the Festival Sunday schedule of events be announced?
The schedule will be shared in August.
If I have questions at the festival, who can help me?
Please visit our Info Booth, in front of the Community Hall, or approach one of our friendly volunteers.
Do I need to buy tickets to attend Festival events?
All events are ticketed, and tickets can be purchased online. Buy in advance and save, as prices go up at the gate!
Can I buy books?
Yes, indeed. Our friends at the Bookshelf have a booth at which they sell the work of our presenting authors. Small publishing houses, booksellers, non-profit groups, and self-published authors will also be selling books along Publishers’ Way.
Is there an ATM?
There is no ATM, but cash advances are available at both gates between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Is water available?
Yes, and it’s free. Bring your own reusable container, please.
Is food available?
Yes, there’s a food court where vendors sell a variety of scrumptious food. You can sit at the food court’s picnic tables, or you can take your lunch with you to sites. Please help us minimize our footprint by putting all recyclables in the appropriate bins.
Is alcohol available?
In 2022, alcohol will not be available onsite.
What about washrooms?
Washrooms are located behind the Community Hall, on Cedar St., and in the vicinity of both The Common and The Cottage sites. An accessible toilet is located on Cedar St.
Do you provide first aid?
Should you need medical assistance, please visit the First Aid tent located across from the Community Hall.
Do you have a lost and found?
Yes! Please visit the Info Booth if you have lost or found something.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, of course! We would welcome your help. Each year, the Festival recruits a team of approximately 100 wonderful volunteers. For more information on becoming a volunteer, please visit the Volunteer page.
Can I present my work at the Festival?
The Festival is a curated event that brings in writers by invitation only. We receive hundreds of unsolicited submissions from authors wishing to read at the festival and hundreds of recommendations from enthusiasts. Though we are grateful for this interest in our festival, and though we do take the time to consider unsolicited proposals, we are often unable to respond to every submission or recommendation or to return material submitted.
Can I recommend an author for the Festival?
Yes, you may recommend a favourite author or present an idea for an event, as many people and organizations do every year. We will not be able to respond to every request or pitch, however, so please do not interpret our silence as negligence.
Can I bring my work to the Festival to show the publishers on Publishers’ Way?
Many publishers attend Sunday’s event, participate in the festival and sell their works along Publishers’ Way, but most are not prepared to receive manuscripts on this day. We suggest that you approach a publisher through the usual channels, finding out first what their submission requirements are.
Can you put me in touch with an author on the program?
Authors sign their books after the set in which they read (at tables set up along Publishers’ Way), so you can certainly approach them then. To protect their privacy, we do not give out their contact details to anyone, and we cannot pass on messages. The best ways to contact our guests are through their websites, publishers or agents.