Read by the Sea - July 11, 2026
Dream of a sunny day, relaxing in a lawn chair, a cool drink in your hand, listening to Canada’s finest authors reading to YOU! That’s the Read by the Sea Summer Literary Festival on the North Shore of Nova Scotia.
In 2000, a group of North Shore women decided it was time to bring some of Canada’s finest authors to the small village of River John and Read by The Sea was born. It began as an outdoor festival with authors reading under sunny skies, often moving indoors in inclement weather.
Over the years, new events were added to meet the literary interests of the group – for example, Wordstock writing workshops, Pitch the Publisher, Wordplay for Children, and OnWords for youth. The festival put River John on the map, bringing visitors from near and far. Like many volunteer organizations, the festival experienced some growing pains and moved to the town of Pictou in 2025 with an exciting new location.
We are proud that 2026 brought the festival back home to River John with a dedication to the late local author, Beulah Wright. Also, Sheree Fitch will deliver the land acknowledgement. All events will center in the village on July 11, with an exciting focus on North Shore authors. The banners will once again be raised, as well as a large tent in Bissell Park for the main event, with partner events in the Library and Firehall.
To help attendants enjoy their festival experience, logistics are well underway for coffee, lunch, and parking, all located in the center of the village. It’s a one-day festival, rain or shine. Although there is no admission cost, donations are encouraged and appreciated.
Join us in sharing our passion for words, imagination and story.
2026 Featured Authors
Enjoy author readings and interviews by some of the area's finest authors. Picnics welcome!
Reader Participation
We want to hear from you! Please send us your memories or stories of attending previous years of Read by the Sea
“What do you get when you put together a dedicated group of book-loving volunteers brimming with rural Nova Scotia hospitality, a beautiful riverside location, a collection of amazing people who write books for all ages with a desire to share a weekend promoting the love of reading? You get the summer festival know as READ BY THE SEA! I have had the great good fortune to attend the festival in years past and I shall forever be grateful to READ BY THE SEA for the part its gracious people played in my author journey. “ – Lana Shupe, WordPlay author 2022
“I remember how welcoming everyone was, like I was the cat’s meow! Meeting Terry Fallis was a highlight and his mother-in-law Bernice. I had to hug her, because my mom’s name was Bernice. I was given a bottle of whiskey with my name on it! My son was very impressed. A large friendly crowd gathered indoors because of the weather and it was very cozy. (Pre-Covid!!!) Read by the Sea was one of my first writers’ festivals and being there made me start to believe that maybe I was a writer!”
Lesley Crewe – author of Amazing Grace, The Spoon Stealer, Nosey Parker and more