Nov 14, 2024 6:30PM

Hamilton Reads Finale

Free in-person event
Hamilton Public Library – Valley Park Branch

Nov 9, 2024 7-9PM

Heliconian Literary Lecture Series

The virtual lecture series features talented Canadian writers speaking about their books and the writing life!
Access to the series is by subscription only. Available online November 2024-August 2025.

Oct 15, 2024 7-9PM

Palace Reading Series

Free, in-person event
The Greenpoint Palace (206 Nassau Ave, Brooklyn, NY)
Note that this event is 21+

Oct 10, 2024 5:30PM

MY PEN IS HAUNTED: Horror Writing Workshop

Free, in-person event
Hamilton Public Library – Westdale Branch
Kick off spooky season with a fun and generative horror/dark fiction writing workshop. Writers of all levels welcome!

Sep 29, 2024 2:15PM

WORD ON THE STREET

BITE-SIZED WORLDS: Writing Speculative Short Stories

Free, in-person event 
Queens Park, Toronto
Anuja moderates an author panel featuring Gary Barwin, Paola Ferrante, and Suzan Palumbo

Sep 24, 2024 7:30PM

Stop the Doom-Scroll with Jess Taylor

Free, Instagram live event
Jess interviews authors live on Instagram! 
Follow @jesstaywriter and tune in

Sep 17, 2024 7-9PM

York University Canadian Writers Series 

Free, virtual event
This lecture series features award-winning writers, speaking, reading from their work, and doing a Q&A
Information and link to join here (link available 1 week before each reading)

Sep 14, 2024 3:30PM

SUPERCRAWL SHORT STORY PANEL 

Free in-person event
Anuja moderates an author panel featuring Kate Cayley, Deepa Rajagopalan, and Nicola Winstanley
Supercrawl Author Tent
James Street N., Hamilton, ON

Jun 29, 2024

Riverside Reading Festival

Free in-person event (no registration required)

Jun 22, 2024 1PM

PRIDEFUL POLTERGEISTS: A Queer Horror Reading

Free in-person event (no registration required)
Little Ghosts Book Store (930 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON)

Jun 19, 2024 12:30-1PM

Toronto Metropolitan University Book Talk

May 29, 2024 7-8PM

Mississauga Library Author Talk Series

Apr 26-27, 2024

Blue Metropolis Literary Festival

Hotel 10, Montreal, QC
April 26, 10pm – Violet Hour LGBTQ+ Readings (free)
April 27, 10am – Another Look, Another World (free)
Anuja joins a literary conversation about books nourished by daydreams, fantasy, and imagination
April 27, 7pm – Truth be Told: Looking at Lies in Literature (ticketed)
Anuja joins Gina Woolsey and Sky Gilbert for a panel on how writers play with truth and lies and the grey space in between
Info & Tickets: 

Apr 20-21, 2024

GritLIT Festival

Hamilton, ON
April 20, 2pm – Financing a Writing Career (workshop)
April 21, 3:30pm – Drafts & Drafts
Anuja joins a panel of Hamilton authors to chat about their most recent works and give audiences a sneak peek of a work in progress.
Tickets & Info: 

Mar 23, 2024

WRITE LIKE… Disney Fairy Tales

Free, in-person youth event 
Hamilton Public Library
Anuja delivers a generative workshop around classic Disney fairy tales, encouraging young writers to begin crafting their own fabulous (or fractured!) fairy tales.

Mar 22, 2024

Grimsby Author Series

Feb 9, 2024 7-8PM

In-Conversation with Anuja @ County of Brant Public Library (Paris, ON)

Free, in-person event

Everyone welcome, a great opportunity for avid readers and aspiring writers. Registration encouraged, drop ins welcome.

https://brantlibrary.evanced.info/signup/calendar

Jan 31, 2024 2:30-4PM

McMaster University Visiting Speaker Series presents Anuja Varghese

Free, in-person event

Anuja will deliver a talk titled “Writing Magic: The Power of Diverse Representation in Canadian Storytelling.” The event will take place in Togo Salmon Hall, Rm. 118. All are welcome!

Nov 15, 2023 4PM

WESTERN UNIVERSITY – “Write Now!”

Free, in-person event
Western University, London, ON (University College, Conron Hall #3110)
Through a series of lectures by contemporary writers open to Western students and the public, Write Now! explores the art, craft, and process of creative writing in a variety of genres. Anuja Varghese will be the guest lecturer on November 15.

Oct 30, 2023 7PM

ART BAR Poetry + flash fic reading series

Free Times Cafe (320 College St., Toronto, ON)
In-person event, $10 cover at the door

Sep 30, 2023 9:30AM

Kingston Writers Fest – FOLKLORE, FABLES & FANTASTICAL FEMALES

Holiday Inn, Kingston Waterfront
 A trio of authors explore complex issues through genre-bending stories that blur the lines between the real world and worlds beyond. Join Paola Ferrante (Her Body Among Animals), Emily Urquhart (Ordinary Wonder Tales), and Anuja Varghese (Chrysalis) for an open discussion of the intersectionalities of being a woman, mother, artist, queer, POC, and how fairy tales, wonder, ghosts, pregnancy, plagues, and magic shape our stories.
Tickets here: https://kwfunbound.ca/events/

Sep 24, 2023 4:30PM

Toronto International Festival of Authors

Studio Theatre, Harbourfront Centre
A short fiction panel featuring Corinna Chong, Paola Ferrante & Anuja Varghese. Authors will discuss their three debut short story collections which challenge genre and form as they explore themes of queerness, womanhood, sexuality and the body.
Festival Passes on sale here: https://festivalofauthors.ca/event/animals-of-the-body/

Sep 20, 2023 6PM

TIFA Virtual Book Club

ONLINE EVENT
The Toronto International Festival of Authors Official Book Club returns in fall 2023 with five amazing books and author talks. CHRYSALIS by Anuja Varghese is the September book club pick!
Register for a fall book club spot here: https://festivalofauthors.ca/book-club/

Sep 9, 2023 7:30PM

SUPERCRAWL – Authors Tent

James St. North
FREE In-person event
Anuja joins other local Hamilton authors for readings and conversation, showcasing Hamilton’s rich literary talent!

Aug 17, 2023 7PM

Reading & In-Conversation Event

FREE in-person event
Shelf Life Books
1302 4 St SW #100, Calgary, AB 
Join House of Anansi authors Idman Nur Omar and Anuja Varghese for an evening of readings and discussion of their two new short story collections and their journeys as debut authors!

Aug 10, 2023 6PM

MONTREAL BOOK LAUNCH FOR CHRYSALIS

FREE in-person event

L’Euguélionne Bookstore
1426 Rue Beaudry, Montreal, QC
Celebrate the Montreal launch of Chrysalis with author Anuja Varghese, host Brooke Lee, and special guest H. Felix Chau Bradley

Jun 15, 2023 7PM

Queers Live Here: Finding Our Place through Fiction & Zines

FREE in-person panel event

Workers Arts & Heritage Centre
51 Stuart St, Hamilton, ON L8L 1B5

May 27, 2023

The Word on the Street Programming

The Word On The Street Festival

Queen’s Park Crescent, Toronto, ON

May 11, 2023 6:30PM

In-conversation Event

Hamilton Public Library

55 York Blvd, Hamilton ON L8N 4E4

May 5, 2023 7:30-9:30PM

FOLD Programming: The Great Readception

The Rose Brampton

1 Theatre Ln, Brampton ON L6V 0A3 

A unique sampling of authors, including Ali Hassan, Anuja Varghese, Catherine Hernandez, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Jen Sookfong Lee, and Téa Mutonji, read from their works accompanied by live music. Whether you’re a regular FOLD attendee, a big reader, or a lover of live entertainment, this not-to-be-missed signature event is designed to celebrate the power of storytelling and the magic of musical performance.

Tickets at https://thefoldcanada.org/

Apr 29, 2023 2PM

FOLD Preview Event: All in the Family

Kitchener Public Library, free in-person event

85 Queen Street North, Kitchener ON N2H 2H1

Hear authors Anuja Varghese, Dan K. Woo and Janika Oza discuss their creation process and the inspiration behind the fictional families in their latest works. 

Reserve your spot.

Apr 23, 2023 7-9PM

Chrysalis Book Launch

GritLIT Festival, Homewood Suites Hotel, free in-person event

40 Bay Street South, Hamilton ON L8P 0B3

gritLIT welcomes House of Anansi author Anuja Varghese as she launches Chrysalis – a collection of genre-blending stories of transformation and belonging that centre women of colour and explore queerness, family, and community. Join Anuja in celebrating her debut book with music, readings, cake and hors d’oeuvres, and a conversation with author/interviewer Farzana Doctor

Mar 25, 2023 3-5PM

Riverside reading Series

Dog-Eared Café, in-person event

121 Grand River Street North, Paris ON N3L0E7

Dec 7, 2022 7PM EST

Hamilton Literary Awards

Theatre Aquarius, in-person event

190 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A8

Anuja hosts the 29th annual Hamilton Literary Awards presented by the Hamilton Arts Council. Enjoy readings from the shortlisted authors and discover this year’s award winners!

Buy tickets here: https://www.hamiltonartscouncil.ca/literary-awards

Nov 19, 2022 3PM EST

Writing Across Genres Workshop

Virtual event

Anuja leads a generative writing workshop exploring incorporating genre elements into your writing 

Registration here: https://www.gritlit.ca/

Oct 30, 2022 7PM EST

MOTHERTHING LAUNCH

Relay Cafe, Staircase Theatre

27 Dundurn St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1

Free in-person event

Anuja sits down with author Ainslie Hogarth for a reading and interview around her darkly funny new novel Motherthing

Oct 26, 2022 12-1:30PM EST

Hamilton Arts Council Funding Applications Workshop

Free virtual event

Anuja will lead an interactive workshop guiding participants through the process of answering those dreaded “statement” questions that so many funding applications call for – and answering them well! Topics will include developing an artistic statement, an impact statement, a vision statement, and building alignment between your statements and funder goals. We will also discuss the different types of funding applications (public, private, corporate) that may call for these types of statements and how to tailor responses effectively.

Registration here: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | HamiltonArtsCouncil

Oct 19, 2022 9:30PM EST

Writers Beyond Borders

Free virtual event

Anuja is the featured guest at this monthly series where international authors and guests discuss their creative journey and their writing process. Anuja will discuss the process of writing and editing short stories all the way to publishing a debut short story collection!

Registration here: South Boulevard Writers Beyond Borders | Events | Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (bibliocommons.com)

Oct 6, 2022 7PM EST

LIT LIVE READING SERIES

Art Gallery of Hamilton & Streaming Online

$10 in person, free online

Anuja hosts Hamilton’s monthly reading series, featuring Stuart Ross, Jim Nason, Jean Rae Baxter, Dawn Cheryl Hill, and Carl Watts, and Catherine Lewis

Registration here: LITLIVE OCT 6TH Tickets, Thu, Oct 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Oct 1, 2022 2-3PM EST

Real Vancouver Writing School: Queer Little Nightmares

FREE virtual event!

Anuja joins fellow anthology contributors David Demchuk, Matthew Stepanic, and Anton Pooles for a discussion with editors David Ly and Daniel Zomparelli around the new anthology QUEER LITTLE NIGHTMARES

Registration here: Real Vancouver Writing School: Queer Little Nightmares – Crowdcast

Sep 24, 2022 2-4:30PM

Bi+ Arts Festival

FREE in-person event!
Bi+ Arts Festival Stage
Barbara Hall Park, Toronto, ON

Join us for a laid back afternoon of readings, music, and performance art as part of the 2022 Bi+ Arts Festival!

Info here: https://www.biartsfestival.com/

Jul 3, 2022 5:00PM EST

Queer Literary Horror Panel

FREE in-person event!
Little Ghosts Bookstore
930 Dundas St. West, Toronto

Anuja joins Nic Brewer, Emily Kellogg and Andrew Wilmot for a reading and discussion around queer literary horror

Space is limited!

Click here to register

May 10, 2022 2:00PM EST

OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT – When Other People Saw Us, They Saw the Dead

Anuja reads from “In the Bone Fields” as part of the international launch of this new anthology of BIPOC gothic fiction. This event is hosted live online in partnership with The Portobello Bookshop, Edinburgh. 

Click here to register

Apr 25, 2022 8:00PM

Speakeasy Reading Series

FREE virtual event via Zoom

Readings from Anuja Varghese, Kate Barss, Nancy Jo Cullen & Lawrence Hill

Link available prior to event here: https://fb.me/e/1llsiZyZE

Apr 24, 2022 3:30PM

gritLIT Festival – Hamilton Writes

IN-PERSON EVENT:

Homewood Suites by Hilton, 40 Bay Street South, Hamilton, ON L8P 0B3

Anuja hosts an in-person reading and chat with 4 of Hamilton’s most exciting writers! Featuring: Jolie Phuong Hoang, Margaret Nowaczyk, Sarah Raughley and John Lawrence Reynolds.

Tickets on sale at https://www.gritlit.ca/

Feb 3, 2022 6:00PM (7:00PM Atlantic)

Launch of The Fiddlehead’s BIPOC Solidarities Issue

FREE FROSTival Virtual Event via Zoom

Dec 22, 2021 8:00-9:30PM

Naked Heart Festival – RACIALIZED IS A VERB READING

Virtual event via Zoom
Visit https://nakedheart.ca/ for information and tickets

Oct 30, 2021

The Quarantine Review Halloween Podcast

Anuja reads “Throwing Salt” at 3:05

Oct 20, 2021 7:00PM

Ephemera Reading Series

Sep 23-26, 2021

Bi+ Arts Festival Author Showcase

Jul 13, 2021 8:00PM

COMING SOON: Women’s Orgasm Erotica Anthology Book Launch

Join us for contributor readings + panel discussion as we launch this hot new collection of women’s erotica. 

Live on Love’s Sweet Arrow YouTube Channel: Love’s Sweet Arrow

Jun 30, 2021 3:30-5:00PM

Lifting Up Queer Voices – Pride Literary Panel

Readings and conversation at the intersection of queer identity and writing. 

FREE VIRTUAL EVENT (registration required for Zoom link):

May 14, 2021 8:00PM

Danger Flower Preview: Poetry Reading & Author Q&A with Jaclyn Desforges

A reading and discussion of themes of mothering, poetry and process in Jaclyn’s forthcoming book, DANGER FLOWER. 

FREE INSTAGRAM LIVE EVENT (registration requested):

Apr 18, 2021 3:30PM

gritLIT Festival: Drafts & Drafts

A lively virtual discussion featuring readings by Hamilton authors Gary Barwin, Jane Christmas, Denise Davy, Krista Foss, Dallas Hunt, Amanda Leduc, Pasha Malla and Brent van Staalduinen, as they share an exclusive glimpse into a work in progress and discuss their city, their inspirations and what’s next for them.

Co-hosted by gritLIT Artistic Director Jennifer Gillies and gritLIT Board Member Anuja Varghese

FREE EVENT (registration required): Register at Eventbrite

Feb 17, 2021

In Conversation with Cherie Jones

A moderated discussion between Anuja Varghese and Cherie Jones, author of “How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps her House” followed by Q&A with viewers, introduction by Ian Elliott of A Different Drummer Books. The event takes place over Zoom.

Info and tickets at Oakvillecentre.ca

Dec 18, 2020

Feminist Erotica Presents: Happy Hour + Panel Discussion

Watch on Facebook

Anuja reads from 40:30 to 45:45

Nov 5, 2020

The Art of the Review Workshop + The Young Feminist Book Review Launch

Zoom 6pm EST

Register at the YWCA Hamilton website

Sep 23, 2020

Bi+ Arts Festival: Books and Beats

Zoom 7:30pm-9pm

Register on Facebook , or the Bi+ Arts Festival website

Aug 23, 2020

Draft Reading Series, Virtual Event

Visit draftreadings.com for details

Mar 11, 2020

Brockton Writers Series, Toronto, ON

Author Readings

Feb 10, 2020

Glad Day Bookshop, Toronto, ON

Emerging Writers Reading Series

Jan 27, 2020

Humber Literary Review Volume 7, Issue 2 Launch – Contributor Readings

The Piston, 937 Bloor St. West, Toronto, ON, 7–9pm

Fall, 2019

Buried Memories: Kelsie Tan in Conversation with Anuja Varghese

The Malahat Review, Fall 2019 Issue, http://www.malahatreview.ca/interviews/varghese_interview.html

Oct 30, 2019

Writers’ Union of Canada BIPOC Writers Connect Conference, Toronto, ON

May 25, 2019

Alice Munro Festival, Wingham, ON

Short Story Contest Winner Readings