Free literary event returns to Kitchener this Saturday

KITCHENER — Get to know six authors and their writing at the Word On the Street event this weekend in Kitchener.

“There’s a pretty good crosssection,” said Dave Worsley, coowner of Words Worth Books in Waterloo.

The free event, an offshoot of the annual Toronto Word On the Street, is being held at the Kitchener Public Library on Saturday from 1 to 5:30 p.m.

“There will be onstage interviews and chats,” Worsley said.

Six authors will read from their books and answer questions.

The day starts with Eva Stachniak and her book “The Chosen Maiden” at 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m. is a non-fiction reading and panel with Ayub Nuri, “Being Kurdish in a Hostile World,” and Tanya Talaga, “Seven Fallen Feathers.” At 3:30 p.m. will be a reading and panel focused on thrillers with Nick Cutter (“Little Heaven”), Nicole Lundrigan (“The Substitute”), and Grace O’Connell (“Be Ready for the Lightning”).

“If you’ve got a thing for crime fiction, this is about as good as it gets,” Worsley said.

Words Worth Books will be there selling books, and people can get the authors to sign copies. Worsley said Word On the Street is more relaxed than a traditional author reading, and listeners can connect more with the authors.

“It’s an intimate setting.”