Alexandra Grigorescu's Blog

I had a wonderful time at this year’s Toronto International Festival of Authors, and thoroughly enjoyed being a delegate. I saw authors read and speak, connected with old friends and new ones, and felt myself (as always) re-energized by the spirit of the festival.

I asked some of the writers in attendance (Marlon James, Craig Davidson, Sarah Henstra, Kathy Page and more) what writers’ festivals, and this one in particular, mean to them. Take a gander over to the TIFA website and read  what they had to say. Spoiler: it all begins with a fundamental love of books and reading.

Happy holidays, everyone!

I’m honoured to have been asked back to the Toronto International Festival of Authors this year, and to be a delegate and host.

Catch me tonight, October 19th at 7pm, hosting for Alissa York in conversation with GG-nominated Miriam Toews. Next Friday, October 26th at 8pm, I’ll be hosting for Randy Boyagoda and GG-nominated Rawi Hage in conversation with Elamin Abdelmahmoud.

I’ll also be a delegate, taking in as much of the festival (which is so near and dear to my heart, and simultaneously so star-studded and larger than life) as an audience member.

Have a great festival everyone!

Hello! I’m back for a very good reason: #IFOA2017. This year, I’m honoured to serve as a delegate and host for two events.

This past Saturday, I hosted for Susan G. Cole in conversation with Chantel Acevedo and Amanda Earl.

Tonight, I’m excited to host for Dr. Vincent Lam in conversation with David Bouchet and Carol Bruneau.

As a delegate, I’m fortunate to be given behind-the-scenes access to the festival, and I’m well and truly delighted to meet new faces and long-time favourite authors.

Happy festival, everyone!

If you happen to be in Whitby today, join me for a 1 p.m. panel on the changing face of horror lit as part of the Durham Bookapalooza! Featuring Andrew Pyper, Brett Savory and Sandra Kasturi of ChiZine, and moderated by Dale R. Long and Tobin Elliott. Looking forward to this.

I’m back again at IFOA 2016, this time entrusted with hosting duties (and neglecting to post about it until the day of, as is my way).

First up, In Conversation with Hisham Matar (with Marivel Taruc) this evening at 6:30 pm.

Then, next Saturday at 6pm, the Read at Your Own Risk panel, featuring Michael Helm, Susan Perly, Liam Card and Shari Lapena (moderated by Ali Hassan).

I’ve already waxed poetic about the wonderful world of IFOA, and I’m incredibly grateful to be invited back.

As a lover of literary genre fiction, I’m beyond honoured to be nominated for the 2016 Sunburst Awards, alongside such juggernauts of Canadian literature as Margaret Atwood, Andre Alexis, Heather O’Neill, and Andrew Pyper. Fingers crossed.

I am so excited to again be an honorary captain for Pongapalooza this year. Two of my actual greatest loves—ping pong and books—come together for a night of feel-good competition.

Not only is it an absurd amount of fun, but it’s also benefitting the extraordinary First Book Canada, which provides access to books for children in need.

It all goes down on May 10 (6-9pm) at SPiN on King West in Toronto. Paddles up!

As a lover of books, bookstores are a source of much joy and wonderment for me. Although I’ve never had the pleasure (and truly, it would be) of working as a bookseller, I’ll be able to show my appreciation for indie bookstores through Authors for Indies on April 30th.

This wonderful initiative sees indie bookstores across the country filled with authors who aren’t pushing their own merch (necessarily), but rather promoting your friendly neighbourhood bookstore, and recommending some favourite books along the way. I’ll be at Book City Danforth from 1 to 2pm, which is about as long as anyone would ever want to let me talk about books.

Late 2015 had me quite busy, and in the best possible way. I so often felt humbled and inspired by the company I was in.

From seeing my book in a prize package at the Giller Light Bash, to having the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on horror (and its many merits) alongside some of my favourite authors at three wonderful festivals, to being a featured author at the Writers’ Trust Gala, it was a pinch-self-worthy end to an incredible launch year.

Don’t even get me started on how fabulously creepy and evocative Hoda Zarbaf’s Cauchemar-inspired sculpture (pictured below at IFOA) was.

I’m grateful for so very much, not least of all the incredible organizers that gave me the opportunity to share my work. So many thanks to all the folks (volunteers, staff, moderators) at Winnipeg International Writers Festival (THIN AIR), Word on the Street, and the International Festival of Authors for having me.

Now, to not rest on my laurels, as I’ve so often been tongue-in-cheekily reminded not to do. I’ve got a few things up my sleeves.

Cauchemar-inspired sculpture by Hoda Zarbaf (back view)

Cauchemar-inspired sculpture by Hoda Zarbaf (front view)

Talking scares on the Tall Ship at WOTS 2015, with Deborah Dundas, David Nickle, Andrew Pyper and James Grainger.

Reading from Cauchemar (in amazing company) at THIN AIR 2015 in Winnipeg.

Writers’ Trust Gala 2015

Me again. Halloween is imminent (obviously), so where better to get spooked in a most literary fashion than at IFOA. I’m honoured to be participating in one of my favourite literary festivals, with two panels this weekend.

I’ll be reading this evening (October 30) at SCREAM alongside Hannah Kent, Nick Cutter, James Grainger, Edgar Cantero, Matt Lennox, Robert J. Wiersema, with Brain Francis as M.C. at 7:30 pm!

On Sunday (November 1) at 1pm, I’ll be talking literary horror with Andrew Pyper, James Grainger, Edgar Cantero and Robert J. Wiersema in a panel aptly titled Blurred Lines.