Writers at Woody Point
August 18 - 23, 2026 • Gros Morne National Park
Newfoundland & Labrador
Writers at Woody Point is firmly rooted in Newfoundland literature, attracting both writers from abroad and those nurtured here at home. During the festival, writers and musicians connect with their audience in intimate venues, over dinner and drinks, or on a hike into the pristine hills, and soak up the area's own creative talent at exhibits of art and crafts, musical performances and impromptu after-hours celebrations that combine jam sessions, dancing and lots of laughter.
Writers
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Miriam Toews
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Richard Ford
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Mark Critch
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Ian Williams
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Anita Rau Badami
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Elizabeth Murphy
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Dierdre Halbot
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Des Walsh
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Donna Morrissey
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David Ferry
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Mary Walsh
Musicians
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Sarah Harmer
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R Sheaves
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Adrian Sutherland
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The East Pointers
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Sweet William Society
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Rasa
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Christine Fellows
Schedule of Events
Presented by
Tickets available May 9 at 1pm NDT via ticketpro.ca or by calling +1-888-311-9090.
Click here for additional information and policies.
Tuesday, August 18
Sarah Harmer in Concert
with special guest R Sheaves
Wednesday, August 19
Coffee With… Anita Rau Badami
Hosted by Angela Antle
Mary Walsh in conversation with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Sarah Harmer in Concert
with special guest R Sheaves
Thursday, August 20
Coffee With… Donna Morrissey
Hosted by Angela Antle
Adrian Sutherland in conversation with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
New Voices with Diedre Halbot
Hosted by Angela Antle
Readings by Richard Ford & Ian Williams
Music by Adrian Sutherland
Hosted by Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Opening Party at The Legion
Friday, August 21
Coffee With… Ian Williams
Hosted by Angela Antle
Blue Heron Meet & Greet
Mark Critch & Sandy Morris in conversation with Tom Power
Pub Reading with Elizabeth Murphy
Readings by Donna Morrissey & Anita Rau Badami
Music by Sweet William Society (Bill Brennan and Andrea Koziol)
Hosted by Tom Power
The East Pointers in Concert
with special guests the Hot Club of Conception Bay
Traditional (and not so traditional…) Music Session
Hosted by Tom Power
Saturday, August 22
Coffee With… Richard Ford
Hosted by Angela Antle
Miriam Toews in conversation with Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Music by RASA
The Des Walsh Experience
featuring the Hot Club of Conception Bay
Readings by Mark Critch & Elizabeth Murphy
Music by The East Pointers
Hosted by Tom Power
Hit Piece
Sunday, August 23
Writers in the Wild
In Partnership with Parks Canada
Short Waves Short Stories by David Ferry
A special performance by Miriam Toews and Christine Fellows
Hosted by Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Additional complementary programming is being developed for festival week in Woody Point. Details to follow.
Our Hosts
Shelagh Rogers
Shelagh Rogers is a recovering broadcast journalist. For decades on CBC Radio, she was privileged to have profound on-air conversations with brilliant people. Among them are some of the writers appearing this season at Writers at Woody Point. For the last 15 years at the CBC, she was host and co-producer of The Next Chapter, an award-winning program devoted to writing in Canada. As well as featuring Canlit, it was a goal of hers to amplify and celebrate Indigenous voices. She continues that work with the very good people at Indspire, interviewing people who personify Indigenous excellence. She is also the host of the podcast Words and Culture, The Michif (Métis) Episodes, produced by the legendary Kim Wheeler.
In 2011, she was named an Honorary Witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and was inducted into the Order of Canada in recognition of her advocacy for adult literacy, for mental health, the arts in Canada, and truth and reconciliation.
Shelagh is Chancellor of Queen’s University, UVic's Chancellor Emerita and a proud Citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation. She is honoured to be back at Writers at Woody Point, so dear to her heart.
Angela Antle
Angela Antle is a PhD candidate at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and a member of Norway’s Empowered Futures 2023 cohort. A writer and former CBC producer, her work has been recognized by The New York Festivals, The Gabriel and Gracie Allen Awards, The Atlantic Journalism Awards, The Nickel, Berlinale, Dublin and Wexford Film Festivals. Her first novel will be published by Breakwater Books in 2025.
Tom Power
Tom Power is an award-winning musician and broadcaster, rarely seen without an instrument or microphone nearby. He blends a warm curiosity and playful wit to cover the arts, music and entertainment stories you're talking about, and the ones that are too interesting not to share.
Tom started his career in his hometown of St. John's, N.L., studying folklore by day and "gigging" (read: performing music) in pubs at night. He recorded his earliest interviews during those years, travelling around the region with a microphone to collect oral histories from his fellow Newfoundlanders.
He made his radio debut programming bluegrass music for a college radio show, wryly named Do-Si-DON'T. Tom quickly moved on to become a news announcer for a local radio station and, in 2008, joined CBC Radio as the host of the national folk music program DEEP ROOTS. Three years later, Tom shifted into the host chair of RADIO 2MORNING, CBC Radio's biggest national music show. He also became a trusted guest host on q and AS IT HAPPENS. Tom became the host of q in October 2016. Off the air, Tom fronts the folk-rock band The Dardanelles — known for drawing new audiences around the world to traditional Newfoundland music. He's also a member of the Polaris Music Prize jury, and has hosted and performed at major music festivals in Canada.
Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Special guest host, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, is a culture writer, CBC’s Commotion host, and former Pop Chat host. His work appears in Rolling Stone, The Globe and Mail, and beyond. He was a founding co-host of Party Lines and a panelist on CBC’s At Issue.
What’s it like to experience Writers at Woody Point? Checkout our wrap-up video from the 2023 festival.
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The Friends of Writers at Woody Point relies on contributions from individuals, companies, and community organisations. Learn more about how you can support our mission.
Dark Tickle
Sponsors
Our festival would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and funders. Please visit these sites and establishments, and let them know that you saw them here. We appreciate their continued support.
BMO is this year’s presenting sponsor. Our thanks to BMO for their generous support.
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Community Partners
Government Funders
We acknowledge the support of ArtsNL, which last year invested $2.5 million to foster and promote the creation and enjoyment of the arts for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
Hospitality & Gift Bag Partners
The Legion
Pike's Service Station
Raw Island Botanicals
The Old Loft
The BBQ Emporium
Gros Morne Coffee Roasters
Rugged Edge