Renowned writers like David Robertson, Heather O'Neill, Vivek Shraya and Waubgeshig Rice have been reading prose and poetry or talking to their readers live on social media. The FOLD broadcast their festival online and continue on with their webinar series, giving crucial voices a platform. The Writers' Trust has run online panels and created a fund for writers in need.
Those who love books have been doing what they can to keep people connected. "Nonetheless, people are sharing their own work and the work of writers that they admire. Publishing houses are trying to find ways to draw attention to new books and voices and some authors have been left to do what they can to promote their work, while at the mercy of an industry scrambling to adapt. Festivals have had their authors and panellists recreate the experience online, as best they can, and as long as they have enough Internet to make it happen. Books that were to launch this spring and summer have had to be released into the world without in-person readings and tour appearances. "The past few months have been filled with uncertainty and unforeseen challenges for almost everybody, including those who write, publish and sell literature across the country. Kevin Hardcastle the author of the short story collection Debris and the novel In the Cage.