How did it all start?
An idea of a place where writers of all ages and professional levels could gather and present their work.
What happened next?
photo of Alison Fishburn by Zach MumfordParis, Ontario-based writer Alison Fishburn launched the Riverside Reading Series (RRS) website in June 2022. Our first monthly event happened a month later at the Walter Williams Amphitheatre in Paris. Writers Mike Chaulk, Vanessa Ricci-Thode, and Eirinn Todd, along with Fishburn, presented their original in-progress and published writing.
We celebrated the first year of RRS with our first annual Summer Writers Festival on June 24, 2023. The festival was a day-long public event with independent publishers, local organizations, and performances for children, teens and adults by Ekiuwa Aire, Nic Brewer, Jaclyn Desforges, Farzana Doctor, Kim Fahner, Erica London, Deb Lloyd, Fareh Malik, Dwayne Morgan, Tony North, Robert Priest, and Bruce Simpson.
Since 2022, our series has become a place where writers of all ages and professional levels find a sense of community, connection and opportunity to present their work.
Who are we?
A group of dedicated volunteers who love writers.
Layne Beckner Grime
James Cairns
Alison Fishburn
Emma Johnston
Belinda Grimaudo
photo by Jono & Laynie Co.
Where are we?
Our series operates along the Grand River in Paris, Ontario. This land is part of the Haldimand Tract, which is land that was originally promised to the Six Nations of the Grand River in the Haldimand Treaty of 1784.
We are committed to actions that promote truth and reconciliation, such as the presentation of work by Indigenous writers and promoting Six Nations Tourism.
