Share Your Story
Our presenters are the heart and soul of Telling Tales’ programming. It is your enthusiasm and love for stories that inspire thousands of children every year to fall in love with reading. We would love to hear more about what stories you would like to present through Telling Tales. Together, we can inspire more story-lovers than ever before!
Telling Tales recognizes how vital it is that children see themselves and others reflected in stories. Each year we strive to feature a diverse roster of stories that appeal to a broad range of tastes and interests.
2026 Submissions Are Now Open
Our signature Festival and year-round programming connects children, youth, and their families to Canada’s finest storytellers.
Applications for our 2026 Programming are now open! Canadian children’s authors, illustrators, and performers are invited to submit their applications for 2026 through the Telling Tales website. (Links below.)
Applications close January 16, 2026 at 11:59 EST.
Apply to be a Telling Tales Author/Illustrator on Telling Tales’ 2026 Reading List
Our Selection Advisory Committee is dedicated to finding the best new Canadian books to be featured on our 2026 Reading List.
This Reading List will be 1) used as a resource by Telling Tales Staff to program our events throughout the year, including our 18th Annual Festival and 2) will be featured on our website as a recommended reading resource for parents, guardians, and educators.
People applying with a published work can do so through this link.
Apply to be a Telling Tales’ 2026 Multi-Disciplinary Presenter
Telling Tales values many forms of storytelling, beyond the published book. If you are another kind of storyteller, such as an oral storyteller, musician, visual artist, or slam poet (to list just a few) we encourage you to apply.
These mutli-disciplinary presenters will be reviewed by Telling Tales Staff and programmed at the 18th Annual Telling Tales Festival.
People applying with a multi-disciplinary performance can do so through this link.