Hamilton Verse

For 3 years, Writers Room has been our creative lab for young storytellers

And this year, our cohort, Anais Constantine, Adebola Salami, Layla Ahmed, and Lennex Maley, launched their book, The Shards of the Mirror Tree.

There were readings, book signings, and a room full of people celebrating these young writers as they proudly claimed their authorship.

Moments like this are why Write Like exists, and we are super proud of them.

If you are a young writer ready to build worlds from scratch, get paid as a professional writer, and see your work published, Writers Room Cohort 2027 is coming.

Send us a DM today!

At Write Like: The River Has Roots, masterclass, invited us into a world where folklore breathes, music lingers, and myth reveals the quiet truths we carry.

In conversation with , the evening unfolded through reflection, laughter, and a powerful live reading that left the room hushed and full.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, asked questions, shared space, and made the night unforgettable.

Co-hosted with

We were honoured to welcome award-winning writer and poet to Write Like: Camp Folklore for her workshop, “Strange Encounters.”

Through touch, scent, observation, and imagination, participants explored how ordinary objects can become portals to extraordinary stories. The textures brought attendees different memories each detail became a doorway into story.

Amal invited our writers to slow down, to notice, and to craft encounters rooted deeply in the sensory world poetic, strange, and unforgettable.

Thank you for bringing such depth, care, and magic into the room.

Huge thank you to for leading such a thoughtful and inspiring Magic in the Everyday: A Lesson in Fabulism workshop.

Terese invited our writers to look at the ordinary in new ways transforming everyday moments into stories layered with folklore, fantasy, and meaning.

The creativity in the room was beautiful to witness, and our participants truly embraced the challenge of turning the familiar into something magical.

Big thank you to for bringing such bold energy to Write Like: Camp Folklore

In Main Character Energy, participants dove into building compelling protagonists through improv, performance, and tabletop role-playing techniques. The creativity, confidence, and imagination in the room were unmatched.

Huge thank you to HV Story Coordinator Aisha Yusuf and award-winning youth writer Lennex Maley for an unforgettable Fear Factory workshop.

From fun prompts to bold storytelling, you created a space where everyday fears became unforgettable stories.
The energy, the creativity, the storytelling our attendees loved it.

Author and folklorist Emily Urquhart led Folklore Index, a hands-on workshop inviting students to explore how personal stories are shaped into timeless, folkloric narratives.

Through guided writing and reflection, participants transformed lived experiences into folkloric narratives stories rooted in the self, yet resonant and universal.

A big shout out to poet, filmmaker, and educator for leading “Finding the Heart” a reflective writing workshop rooted in nature, memory, and emotion.

Through thoughtful prompts and guided reflection, young participants explored how to transform everyday observations into meaningful, resonant storytelling.

Grateful for the passion, depth, and care you brought into the room.

Can’t make it to Hamilton for Write Like: Camp Folklore in person? We’ve got you 💻✨

Tap into our virtual workshops fast-paced, imagination-fuelled sessions built to get you inspired and festival-ready from wherever you are.

🗓 Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Plot Twist! with .fatima.bala
🕚 11:30am ET
Dive into suspense, clue-building, and the art of unforgettable twists.

🗓 Thursday, February 12, 2026
Write Like Star Wars with
🕦 11:30am ET
Step into worlds of heroes, villains, and defining choices.

🗓 Thursday, February 12, 2026
Jack in the Box with
🕧 12:35–1:15pm ET
Practice writing your way out of impossible situations.

💬 Comment “VIRTUAL” and we’ll send you the link

Introducing the brilliant minds guiding this year’s Write Like: Camp Folklore workshops: Amal-El-Mohtar, Terese Mason Pierre, Ian Keteku, Aisha Yusuf, Lennex Maley, Emily Urquhart & Ash Patwardhan

Friday, February 13, 2026
📍 Central Library, 55 York Blvd, Hamilton
🎒 Ages 12+
🎟 Free | Spots limited

To register click the link in bio or visit www.hamiltonverse.ca