The Inaugural Father Jim Bleackley OMI Lecture on Indigenous Justice with Guest Speaker Niigaan Sinclair

Join us at the free event on the subject of Indigenous Justice with guest speaker Niigaan Sinclair, co-sponsored by St.Joseph's Parish and Kateri Native Ministry of Ottawa. 

Niigaan Sinclair is an Anishinaabe writer, editor, professor, and activist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He frequently speaks on Indigenous issues on CTV, CBC and APTN. His book Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre won the Governor General’s Award for English-language non-fiction at the 2024 Governor General’s Awards.

Perfect Books will be selling copies of Niigaan Sinclair's book as well as books by other Indigenous authors.

For more information, contact St.Joe's: 613-233-4095 x 251, or info@st-josephs.ca

Book Signing with Mike Hickey

Join Mike Hickey for a book signing and celebration of his book, When Basketball Was A Game.

About the book: 

In Hempstead, New York, a basketball coach knew the real game was survival.

In 1961, an eighteen-year-old from Hempstead, New York stepped into an unexpected role: founding coach of a brand-new Salvation Army basketball program. His name was Don Ryan—and his journey was just beginning.

For over six decades, Ryan used his influence as a teacher, coach, and local politician to make a difference. His mantra, “Carry the books as well as the ball,” reminded every player that education and character came first. His steady leadership helped shape pro athletes, business leaders, and community role models, leaving a legacy that reached far beyond basketball.

During his remarkable career, Hempstead’s teams captured three National Championships and amassed more than 3,000 victories. Yet it wasn’t the trophies that mattered most. It was the lessons in sportsmanship, discipline, perseverance, and hope that forever changed the course of countless young lives. This book is a celebration of a man who turned basketball into a force for hope and transformation.

Book Signing with A.V. Howland

Join local author A.V. Howland for a meet and greet about her book Jumping to Conclusions, the first book in the Fanta Delaney series.

Young Fanta Delaney loves horses. Ever since pony club days, she’s crushed on handsome Greg and followed his show jumping career from afar. Now, she’s a junior writer at the local paper north of Toronto, desperate to prove herself. Can she combine her skills as a reporter with her knowledge of the horse world to find out who killed her lustrous hero?

A.V. Howland is an award-winning feature writer and newspaper editor who continues to work in daily journalism, now with a hint of mystery and mayhem on the side. She grew up riding horses and now lives in Ottawa, Canada with two rescue dogs. Of course, she's always looking for ways to get back in the saddle.

Book Signing with Glenn McInnes

Join Glenn McInnes to talk about his book, Lessons in Philanthropy: The Legacy of Barb McInnes.

Barbara McInnes’s work in philanthropy has touched countless lives, creating ripples of change that continue to grow. This book is a heartfelt exploration of her journey, through the eyes of those who experienced her mentorship, kindness, and transformative vision. This book offers a unique perspective on what it truly means to lead with purpose.

Barb’s dedication to philanthropy has left an indelible mark on individuals, communities, and the world at large. From grassroots movements to global initiatives, Barb’s work speaks volumes about the impact one life can have. 

Versefest Day 1

Join us at Club Saw for Day 1 of VerseFest featuring poets like Olivia Tapiero, Robyn Sarah, and more!

More details here: https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/events

Versefest Day 2

VerseFest Day 2 kicks off at the Arts Court Black Box with tons of writers, such as Gwen Aube, T. Liem, and more!

Details here: https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/events?date=2026-03-25

Zena Sharman launches Staying Power

Join author Zena Sharman to celebrate the launch of her memoir Staying Power, with special guest Alexander McClelland, author of Criminalized Lives: HIV and Lgeal Violence. Toegher, they'll explore themes of queer kinship, grief, outlaw sexualities, and the power of documenting our lives and telling our stories through art and memoir.

ZENA SHARMAN is an essayist and non-fiction writer whose work explores themes of community, identity, and care. She is the editor of several anthologies, including The Care We Dream Of  and the Lambda Literary award-winning The Remedy (both Arsenal Pulp Press). Staying Power is her debut memoir.

ALEXANDER MCCLELLAND is an Associate Professor at the Carleton Institute of Criminology and the author of Criminalized Lives: HIV and Legal Violence.

David Suzuki and Tara Cullis – What You Won't Do for Love

“What’s love got to do with it?” A lot, according to David Suzuki.

After a lifetime devoted to climate activism, internationally-renowned environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis take to the stage in an intimate and inspiring theatre experience. A rare behind-the-scenes look at a life shaped by deep love, commitment, and the courage to act; they reflect on their extraordinary 50-year partnership in life and work.

Honest, warm, and thought-provoking, David and Tara share captivating stories, powerful insights, and heartfelt moments of humour as they celebrate their love for each other, their love of the planet, and love’s capacity to inspire action.

What You Won’t Do For Love is a personal and poetic performance, and a powerful reminder that change begins with connection.

“We’d love to see you there!”
Tara and David

With book sales by Perfect Books

More details and tickets here: https://shenkmanarts.ca/en/david-suzuki-tara-cullis

VerseFest Day 3

VerseFest Day 3 moves back to Club Saw with an Urban Legends Slam and a Qu'Art feature with Misha Solomon, Emma McKenna, and an open mic!

Details: https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/events?date=2026-03-26

VerseFest Day 4

Friday Night at VerseFest moves to Happy Goat in Hintonburg, bringing you fantastic poets like Vera Hadzic, Hajer Mirwali, and more!

Details: https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/events?date=2026-03-27

VerseFest Day 5, Plan 99

VerseFest presents Plan 99 at the Manx with Brandi Bird, Declan Ryan, and Stephanie Bolster!

Details: https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/events?date=2026-03-28

Versefest Day 6

Come on out for a full day of poetry goodness! Karen Solie, Nada Gordon, Lydia Unsworth, and more, as well as the Hall of Honour presentation!

Details: https://www.verseottawa.ca/en/events?date=2026-03-29

Caitlyn Paxson launches A Widow's Charm

Romance and fantasy fans, this one is for you! Come out to Caitlyn Paxson’s book launch for her highly anticipated debut book, A Widow’s Charm!

In this rollicking fantasy romance, a widow attempts to resurrect her dead husband by blackmailing her rakish necromancer neighbor—only to find herself falling for him instead.

Lady Hildegarde Croft is accustomed to changes in position. After all, she rose from maidservant to lady of the manor when she married Lord Thorgoode Croft. But when he drops dead quite unexpectedly, the plans that would have protected her and the people of Croftholde die along with him. What's a widow to do?

Potential salvation arrives in the form of Lord Elmwood, who is fleeing the consequences of using his forbidden Charm to raise the dead. Now he's injured, destitute, and hiding out at the neighboring estate.

For Hilde, blackmailing Lord Elmwood to resurrect Thorgoode seems like the perfect solution. For Elmwood, beautiful Lady Croft seems like the ideal distraction from his troubles. The problem is, all she wants from him is the horrifying power he knows he can never use again.

CAITLYN PAXSON has a degree in writing and cultural history and has worked as the artistic director of storytelling performances, a harpist, a book reviewer, a nineteenth century jack-of-all-trades, a shepherdess and a fake Victorian spirit medium. She lives on Prince Edward Island with her husband and three orange cats. A Widow's Charm is her first book.

Pascale Lacelle Book Signing for Infinite Shores

Ottawa’s very own New York Times best selling fantasy author Pascale Lacelle comes to sign the conclusion to the Drowned Gods Trilogy, Infinite Shores! Stop by and chat!

Ninth House meets The Hazel Wood in this spellbinding conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Drowned Gods Trilogy, a gorgeous dark academia fantasy following a teen mage and her friends on their desperate quest through worlds and time!

Fate cannot be broken—not even by the gods who serve it.

Emory refuses to lose Romie again. Her friend’s fate hangs in the balance as the monstrous Clover plans to use her as a sacrifice to steal power from the deity Atheia—and make himself into a proper god. To stop Clover, Emory needs the help of Atheia’s dark counterpart, Sidraeus. Yet this enigmatic deity cannot be trusted, and if Emory is to ally with him, she must invoke an ancient magic to keep him tethered to her side.

Meanwhile, in the divine workshop of the god of balance, Baz learns he has a role to play in the coming fight to save the crumbling worlds and their weakening magics. Yet all he can think of is Kai and the gruesome fate that awaits him at Clover’s side—a fate, the god tells him, that is beyond even his reach. But Baz is determined to save Kai, even if he has to rewrite time itself.

As chaos reigns and the tides of a corrupted magic threaten to consume all, Emory and Baz must contend with mercurial gods, vengeful deities, and those hell-bent on eradicating Eclipse magic to save the people they love—and write an ending to their stories that defies fate itself.

PASCALLE LACELLE is a French Canadian author from Ottawa, Ontario. A longtime devourer of books, she started writing her own at age thirteen and quickly became enthralled by the magic of words. After earning her bachelor’s degree in French literature, she realized the English language is where her literary heart lies (but don’t tell any of her French professors that). When not lost in stories, she’s most likely daydreaming about food and travel, playing with her dog Roscoe, or trying to curate the perfect playlist for every mood. You can find her on Instagram and X @PascaleLacelle.