To book festival tickets, you can place your order on-line by clicking the button below or you can book over the phone by calling (902) 224.5231.

| 2025 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE |

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

2 P.m. • "Use What You Have: How to Use Your Values to Shape Your Writing" | Writing Workshop with Ian Williams

Join author Ian Williams in a three-hour workshop open to all levels of writing experience. In this open-genre workshop, we create work from our most treasured personal truths, even truths we may not have articulated. Through a series of transformations, we observe how our values can inform our writing and how our lives can be transformed into art. Discover how you can craft aspects of your life into material while avoiding the common pitfalls of producing mundane, solipsistic, or sanctimonious work.

FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

7:30 p.m. • Friday Night Reading Series

Hosted by Alexander MacLeod, this event will feature readings by Ivan Coyote, Sue Goyette, Zilla Jones, Mona Knight, Eliza Reid, David A. Robertson, Tom Ryan and Madeleine Thien. It will be held in the beautiful Great Hall of the Clans, at the Gaelic College in St. Ann's.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

9 a.m. • "Presence in the Present: Activating Your Writing Practice to Meet This Singular Time" | WRITING Workshop with Sue Goyette

Join poet Sue Goyette in this two-hour workshop, which is open to anyone who would like to hone their writing practice so that it is sustainable in this potent and potential time.

A time, Toni Morrison reminds us, that is precisely when artists go to work. We’ll discuss how curiosity, observational skills, and imaginative reckoning are vital and can be used to consider it all. Especially all the feelings. There will be lively conversations as we build (and renew!) a sense of community in a safe enough space. And there will be some writing exercises designed to recharge your writing groove so bring a notebook and pen. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

9 a.m. • "Fiction as the Art of Return" | Fiction Workshop with Madeleine Thien

Certain pieces of writing live with us for years, even decades, before they take shape as a story. How do we work on a piece of writing across time? How do we pick up where we left off, or find new ways of seeing, or discover how a work might transform as we, too, are changed? 

Join author Madeleine Thien in this two-hour workshop, where we will think about the ideas, worlds, and characters that recur in our individual work, the ways have we have tried to tell (or not tell) this story, and new forms that might be possible. We will look at the process of starting over, of revision and reimagining, and the revelations that rigorous editing can bring. All levels of writing experience are welcome. Please feel free to bring drafts of stories or other text you’d like to work on during our time together. Not required; it will also be possible to begin with a blank sheet.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

11:15 a.m. • "Delicious Mysteries": Brunch, Reading & Conversation with Eliza Reid & host Tom Ryan

Not even the tasty array of brunch offerings we'll be serving up first can compete with the delicious plot twists and turns these two bestselling mystery authors will take the stage to discuss. When the plates are cleared, Eliza Reid will share a reading from her new novel Death on the Island and then Tom Ryan will interview Eliza about her work and even share some insights from his own books and writing life. (Meal included in ticket price.)

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

1 P.m. • Festival Book Club with Tanya Johnson

This conversation will be open to audience questions throughout, offering an opportunity for readers to connect directly with author Tanya Johnson and learn more about her book Your Tears Are Not Enough, and how her experiences as a Mi'kmaw woman from Potlotek First Nation—and the lives, voices and stories of other Indigenous girls and women—inspired it.

Those registering for this free event are invited to read or even just begin the book before attending, if possible, to get the most out of the opportunity to discuss it with the author, but it is not a requirement, and should be an engaging and enlightening conversation even for those discovering the book for the first time. The book will be available at On the Same Page Books & Butterflies and Dreams in Sydney, at Millbrook Cultural Heritage Centre, at Consciously Clean in Fredericton, N.B., or by selecting "Yes, I'd like to purchase a copy for delivery by mail" when registering if you'd like the author to mail it to you. Tanya donates a portion of all book-sale proceeds to families affecting by MMIWGP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and People).

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

2 P.m. • Storytelling & Original Animations with Ivan Coyote

Ivan Coyote will share stories accompanied by original animations by three visual artists.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

3:15 P.m. • "Writing Our Festival Future" | Coffee & Conversation with the Festival Board & Staff

Please join Cabot Trail Writers Festival Board members and the Artistic/Executive Director to discuss our dreams and plans for the festival. Over tea, coffee, and snacks, we will share a brief overview of our strategic plan and ideas for future programming and invite your thoughts and questions. This festival was created by community and we want to continue to evolve, dream and plan with you!

SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

Doors open at 6 P.m. • Saturday Night at the Festival | Reception with Music by Behrooz Mihankhah, "We Need to Talk" Panel & Interview with Madeleine Thien

6 p.m. • Pre-Event Reception (optional)
Featuring live music by Iranian Canadian pianist Behrooz Mihankhah, cash bar (including alcohol-free drinks), hors d'oeuvres, and a chance to browse the bookstore and meet with other audience members, authors and members of the festival team. Ticket holders are invited to come early to take part in this if they wish, or they can simply arrive for the formal programming that begins at 7 p.m.

7 p.m. • "We Need to Talk": A Panel on the Art of Conversation, Confession & Connection
Writers Sue Goyette, David A. Robertson, and Ian Williams will each offer short readings from their work before engaging in a panel conversation with moderator Alexander MacLeod about the ways we engage and share and communicate amidst division and around difficult topics, as individuals and as societies, and about the role of writing and the authors’ own experiences opening up and communicating to readers in their books.

8:30 p.m. • A Reading & Conversation with Madeleine Thien
Festival Co-Chair Monika Dutt will interview Madeleine Thien (award-winning author whose most recent novel is The Book of Records).

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

9 a.m. • Storytelling Workshop with Ivan CoyotE

Join author and storyteller Ivan Coyote in this two-hour storytelling workshop open to all levels of experience.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

9 a.m. • "The Question and the Answer: What to Consider When Plotting Your Mystery"| Fiction Workshop with Tom RyaN

Unravel the secrets of great mystery writing in this focused two-hour workshop designed for both emerging and experienced writers. Participants will explore the core elements of the genre—from crafting compelling detectives, suspects, victims and culprits to planting clues and building suspense.

Through guided exercises and discussion, you'll learn how to use reverse engineering to structure a gripping plot, develop red herrings, and deliver satisfying twists. Whether you're writing a classic whodunit, a cozy mystery, or a psychological thriller, this course will sharpen your storytelling instincts and help you turn your ideas into a page-turning mystery.

Participants are encouraged to show up with a project or idea in mind to develop—it can be as fully formed as a novel in progress, or as simple and basic as a brilliant twist, compelling sleuth or unique backdrop for a story.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

11:15 a.m. • WRITERS' SALON | Lunch, Panel, Q&A

Authors Zilla Jones, Mona Knight and Tom Ryan will join a panel conversation and audience Q&A with moderator Stephanie Domet, exploring the writing process and their publishing experiences, and offering wisdom and advice for aspiring writers about what they've learned along the way... (Meal is included in ticket price.)

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

1 P.m. • WRITERS' SALON | WordStorm (with Music by Behrooz Mihankhah)

As part of our Writers' Salon, we'll host a 45-minute shared creative space (amidst gentle live music by Iranian Canadian pianist Behrooz Mihankhah), inviting people to come together in one room to freewrite and discover what emerges on the page.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Gaelic College, St. Ann’s

1:45 P.m. • WRITERS' SALON | Festival Coffeehouse & Open Mic

Following WordStorm, we'll serve coffee and pastries and invite willing writers in the audience to share a short reading on stage as we gather and listen and learn together.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Skye River Trail, We’koqma’q

3:30 P.m. • IN OUR OWN WORDS | A Forest Walk Amidst the Poetry & History of Unama'ki

A walk among the changing colours of the forest of the Skye River Trail, with poet Tyra Denny sharing short readings and teachings, guiding the audience through the land, culture and community.

Please dress for the weather and meet at the junction of the Skye River Trail. (Stay tuned for updated location information in the event of rain.) The parking area for the Skye River Trail is just south of the little bridge between the Farmer’s Daughter and the We’koqma’q One Stop gas station. You can park in the first or second lot.

This event will take place outdoors, at points along the 1.5-km Skye River Trail. It is an “easy to moderate walking” trail. Please note that there is no seating; the event will last roughly 1.5 hours, so if you would prefer not to stand or sit on the ground for that duration, you may wish to bring a folding chair that you can comfortable walk with.

This event is part of a multi-year project called In Our Own Words, exploring the island's Mi'kmaw, Acadian and Gaelic languages and literary cultures. This year's edition of the project is centred on storytelling traditions in these three unique cultural communities.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • Skye River Trail, We’koqma’q

5:15 P.m. • IN OUR OWN WORDS | Stories of Unama'ki / Île du Cap-Breton / Cheap Breatainn

Join Mi'kmaw storyteller Clifford Paul, Acadian storyteller Ronald Labelle, and Gaelic storyteller Sionainn/Shannon MacMullin as they share stories from each of their cultural traditions amidst the beautiful forest setting of the Skye River Trail.

The parking area for the Skye River Trail is just south of the little bridge between the Farmer’s Daughter and the We’koqma’q One Stop gas station. You can park in the first or second lot. 

This event will take place outdoors, and please note that there is no seating; the event will last roughly an hour, so if you would prefer not to stand or sit on the ground for that duration, you may wish to bring a folding chair that you can comfortable walk with. Please dress for the weather and stay tuned for updated location information in the event of rain.

This event is part of a multi-year project called In Our Own Words, exploring the island's Mi'kmaw, Acadian and Gaelic languages and literary cultures. This year's edition of the project is centred on storytelling traditions in these three unique cultural communities.

SUNDAY, OCT. 5, 2025 • We’koqma’q Community Hall, We’koqma’q

6:30 P.m. • IN OUR OWN WORDS | "The Art of the Story" Supper & Panel Conversation with Clifford Paul, Ronald Labelle, and Sionainn/Shannon MacMullin

Gather to enjoy a shared meal and lively panel conversation with Mi'kmaw storyteller Clifford Paul, Acadian storyteller Ronald Labelle, and Gaelic storyteller Sionainn/Shannon MacMullin on the art of a well-told tale within each storytelling cultural tradition, moderated by author Alexander MacLeod. (Meal is included in ticket price.)

This event is part of a multi-year project called In Our Own Words, exploring the island's Mi'kmaw, Acadian and Gaelic languages and literary cultures. This year's edition of the project is centred on storytelling traditions in these three unique cultural communities.

2025 FESTIVAL AUTHORS