Welcoming Reception

Our Wild Threads Literary Festival kicks off with a free to attend welcoming reception at the Salvador Dali Cafe in Charlottetown! This relaxed event is your chance to connect with festival organizers and to meet some of the festival's featured authors and artists. It’s also a great opportunity to meet some PEIWG representatives, learn more about the PEI Writers' Guild organization, and to network with fellow PEI writers. Join us to connect with literary community members and to set the tone for a fantastic festival weekend!

Jack Pine Folk Club - with host Shane Pendergast

Our 2024 festival is proud to open with the celebration of a one-of-a-kind event, the Jack Pine Folk Club, a new addition that pays respect to the tradition of coffeehouses of the 60s, hosted by Music PEI Award Winner Shane Pendergast. This year joining Shane on stage will be CBC Poetry Prize winner Bren Simmers, acclaimed singer-songwriter Mike Dixon (formerly of Saddle River String Band), award-winning author and spoken word poet Andre Fenton, and closing out the show will be touring recording artist Benj Rowland. This event promises to be the opening of a festival we could only dream of!

Ode to Teen Angst: A Coming of Age Writing Workshop with Andre Fenton

Do you have a deep passion for coming-of-age stories? Ode to Teen Angst will be facilitated by award winning author, spoken word artist, and arts educator Andre Fenton. Through this interactive workshop, we will develop memorable characters, impactful settings, and creating story arcs that will carry our characters even further into their journey. Have a YA story in development or want to start from scratch? Andre encourages you to come as you are, and will offer strong feedback during the developmental stage of your writing.

Wild Threads Presents: Amanda Peters In-Conversation with Julie Pellissier-Lush

Join us for an intimate conversation with Julie Pellissier-Lush, PEI’s first Indigenous Poet Laureate, and Amanda Peters, acclaimed Mi'kmaq author of the highly anticipated new book, Waiting for the Long Night Moon: Stories. Set to release in August, this collection melds traditional storytelling with beautiful, spare prose, offering profound insights into the dignity of traditional life, the harsh realities of systemic racism, and the resilient power to endure. Amanda will explore the inspirations and themes behind her stories, while Julie Pellissier-Lush, a celebrated actress and bestselling author of My Mi’kmaq Mother, will provide her perspective as a former Poet Laureate known for her contributions to preserving Mi’kmaq culture. Presented in partnership with The Bookmark, this unique event offers a chance to engage with the authors, delve into their literary journeys, and discuss the cultural influences shaping their work. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session and book signing. This event is an essential part of our commitment to highlighting Indigenous voices and stories at the Wild Threads Literary Festival.

"WHAT'S YOUR STORY?"- Life Writing Workshop with author Trevor Corkum

We all have a story to tell. Trevor's signature life writing workshop uses writing prompts, memory work, and creative play to safely guide participants through writing a short memoir or life writing excerpt. This two-hour interactive workshop is designed for both new and experienced writers. A safe and creative space to explore your own voice and begin to craft a story from your life.

Harmonies & Histories: A Celebration of PEI's Francophone Culture

Join us for a memorable evening at the Wild Threads Literary Festival's inaugural bilingual event, "Harmonies and Histories," celebrating PEI’s vibrant Francophone culture. Set against the charming backdrop of North Rustico's Watermark Theatre and hosted by beloved PEI singer-songwriter Michael Pendergast, you'll enjoy captivating storytelling, poetry, and music by talented local and regional Francophone artists. This event also features local singer-songwriters Barb and Olivia Blacquiere sharing their Acadian and Island culture through song, storytelling, and perhaps a step-dance or two. Savor a traditional Acadian culinary experience curated by heritage chef Robert Pendergast! This family-friendly event offers a unique platform to showcase the richness of PEI’s Acadian culture and marks a significant milestone for the Wild Threads Literary Festival in embracing our island’s linguistic diversity.

Vous êtes invités à vous joindre à nous au festival littéraire Wild Threads lors de son événement inaugural et bilingue, Histoires et mélodies, célébrant la vibrante culture francophone de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard. Situé dans le charmant décor du théâtre Watermark à Rustico du Nord et animé par le bien-aimé chanteur-compositeur Michael Pendergast vous pourrez apprécier des histoires captivantes des raconteurs, de la poésie et de la musique des artist(e)s francophones et talentueux et locaux et régionaux. Cet événement met en vedette les chanteuses-compositrices Barb et Olivia Blaquière qui partageront leur culture acadienne insulaire par l'entremise de la chanson, du conte et peut-être un pas ou deux. Vous pourrez également savourer de la cuisine traditionnelle préparée par le chef patrimoine Robert Pendergast. Cet événement familial offre une vitrine unique pour manifester la richesse de la culture acadienne de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard et marque une étape importante du festival en embrassant la diversité linguistique de notre île.

Crafting Comedy for Screen and Stage - with Heidi Brander

"Join award-winning comedy writer Heidi Brander (originally from PEI!) for an insightful workshop that dives into developing your comedy writing for television or film. Open to writers of all ages, experience, and genres, this workshop may explore anything from crafting a writing package, developing a television pilot, how to work effectively in a writers' room, or adapting your voice to different comedy formats. This interactive workshop will include dedicated writing time and a Q&A session, where Heidi will dive into her vast experience. Known for her work on CBC’s Son of a Critch, Baroness Von Sketch Show, Still Standing, and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Heidi brings a wealth of knowledge and humor. She has also written for MTV Live, Spun Out, and Just Passing Through, and performed stand-up across Canada and the U.S. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable skills from a leading voice in TV comedy!

Wild Threads presents: Comedy Unravelled

Join us for an unforgettable evening at a Wild Threads Literary Festival signature event, “Wild Threads: Comedy Unravelled"" on Saturday, September 21st at The Guild in Charlottetown. Hosted annually by PEI’s own Shawn Hogan, this event features world-class talent visiting and returning to the island, including Heidi Brander, Tanya Davis, and headliner Allyson June Smith.

Heidi Brander, renowned for her work on CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, has written for acclaimed TV series such as Baroness Von Sketch Show and Still Standing. Currently residing in Los Angeles, California, Heidi tours North America with her sharp, witty standup.

Tanya Davis, an award-winning poet and performer, is celebrated for her viral video poem ""How to Be Alone,"" which has amassed over three million views on YouTube and was featured at prestigious film festivals worldwide. She is currently PEI’s Poet Laureate and is one of PEI’s all-time great performers in numerous genres.

Allyson June Smith, a standout performer at Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival and a nominee for Best Female Stand-up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, has entertained audiences through her multiple appearances on MuchMusic’s Video on Trial and CBC’s The Debaters. Now based in Manchester, UK, she continues to tour globally.

Wild Threads presents: Interwoven Voices

A memorable afternoon of music and reflection as some of the island’s most talented musicians lead us on a journey of song, stories, advocacy, and authorship. This unique interactive concert experience will showcase the artists behind some of Harmony House’s most celebrated shows, including Carlie Howell, Alicia Toner, Brielle Ansems, and Joce Reyome.

Publishing Your Story: 30 Years with Acorn Press

To wrap up the Wild Threads Literary Festival, we're thrilled to celebrate the 30th anniversary of PEI's own Acorn Press with a special professional development panel and Q&A session with the owner of Acorn Press, Terrilee Bulger. A unique opportunity for PEI writers to channel the momentum and positive energy from the festival, as they explore the next steps in their writing journey. Learn directly from one of PEI's most experienced publishing professionals, and get answers to all the questions you have about bringing your work to the next level.