There are a couple notable events happening this week in the literary world... namely, the annual Toronto Comic Arts Festival and the launch of TOK: Writing the New Toronto-- Book 2. Plus the regular readings, open mics, and exhibits, and I threw in a couple writing groups for some interactivity.

Tuesday, August 14th:

The Art Bar Poetry Series welcomes featured readers Blaise Moritz, Sandra Kasturi and Kate Marshall Flaherty.
Clinton's Tavern. 8pm. Free.

Wednesday, August 15th:

CBC theatre critic Lynn Slotkin shares her passion for theatre and reminisces about some of the greatest performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, in a special event held in conjunction with an exhibition at the TD Gallery of the Toronto Reference Library, celebrating 100 years at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Auditorium. 2pm. Free.

Coffeehouse open stage.
Degrassi House. 8pm. Free.

Diamond Cherry Reading Series breaks in their new home. An evening of readings and fun celebrating the launch of Misunderstandings Magazine - Issue 7. Featuring performances by contributors past and present including: Mike Freeman, Edward Nixon, Sandy Pool and Claire Sharpe.
It's Not A Deli. 8pm. PWYC.

Thursday, August 16th:

Kicking off the Toronto Comic Arts Festival is a comic book launch featuring two very different visions of the end days. DRAWN OUT APOCALYPSES: COMICS ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD spans the political spectrum from far left to far right: Claudia DĂĄvila's spOILed is a peak oil parable about a world without petroleum and Salgood Sam and Jim Munroe's THEREFORE REPENT! is a post-Rapture graphic novel about a world without God. The artists and writers will be in attendance, and their original artwork from the comics will be on display. Books, original artwork and silkscreened posters will be on sale. This event is an official part of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, which culminates in the weekend fair of international artists on the U of T campus.
Tequila Bookworm (upstairs). 8pm-10pm. Free.

Spoken word poet Sara Marlowe performs.
Rivoli. 7pm. Free (donations appreciated).

Moosemeat Writing Group meets in the Annex every other Thursday to workshop short stories and/or novel chapters. Critiques are candid yet sensitive. No poetry. No fees.

Friday, August 17th:

Toronto Women's Bookstore and Diaspora Dialogues invite you to an evening of readings from TOK: Writing the New Toronto-- Book 2, edited by Helen Walsh, the second book in this wonderful collection of stories and poetry by new and emerging writers. Featuring Michele Chai, Catherine Hernandez, Evan Placey and Devyani Saltzman.
Toronto Women's Bookstore. 7pm. Free.

Saturday, August 18th:

The Wild City Writers' Workshop meets each Saturday to read from and discuss work in progress--prose, poetry and essays welcome. Two ten-minute writing exercises will be done at each meeting.
High Park Library. 11:30am. Free. For more info, call 416-533-0660.

Sunday, August 19th:

CafĂŠ At The Centre presents an open stage of music, readings and poetry at the Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre. 7:30pm. Free.