Jessica Johns. Photo courtesy of artist.

An Evening of Spine-Tingling Storytelling

Step into the eerie world of horror literature at Chapter 1 of Literary Cabaret: Horror Writing, an evening of chilling tales and literary artistry. As part of Banff Centre’s Horror Writing 2025 Residency, this event brings together emerging and established voices for a night of unforgettable storytelling.

Enjoy riveting readings by our residency writers, capped off by a special reading from Jessica Johns, a queer nehiyaw aunty and member of Sucker Creek First Nation. Her debut novel, Bad Cree, was a Canada Reads finalist, shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award, and the WGA Fiction Prize winner.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m., so come early, grab a drink from the bar, and browse a curated selection of books at Pages Books' onsite shop before the readings begin. Afterward, stay for a relaxed mingling session where you can connect with the writers and fellow literature lovers, with the evening wrapping up at 9:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars and prepare for thrills, chills, and a few jump scares!