The Complete Author Guide to The Word On The Street Toronto 2026 | BrandMyBook Booth 24

The Word On The Street Toronto returns to David Pecaut Square on September 26–27, 2026, bringing authors, readers, publishers and literary communities together in the heart of downtown Toronto. BrandMyBook will be there at Booth 24, and this guide is designed to give our participating authors one place to find the practical information they need before leaving home.

If you are signing with BrandMyBook, displaying your book with us, visiting the festival, or sending friends and readers to meet you, save this page. It covers the booth location, festival hours, arrival timing, TTC directions, parking, Wi-Fi, washrooms, food, weather and emergency information, plus a detailed signing-day checklist and frequently asked questions.

Quick details: BrandMyBook at The Word On The Street Toronto 2026

Location: BrandMyBook, Booth 24, David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

Saturday, September 26, 2026: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM. Sunday, September 27, 2026: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Participating BrandMyBook authors should arrive at Booth 24 at least 15 minutes before their confirmed signing time. That buffer is important. Downtown traffic, weekend transit changes, parking, crowds and simply navigating the festival grounds can take longer than expected.

How to find BrandMyBook Booth 24

Booth 24 is in the Publisher Central area beside the green festival zone. The marked map above is the easiest reference once you are on site. We recommend taking a screenshot before you leave home so you can still find us if mobile service or public Wi-Fi is slow.

When you reach the festival, use the numbered booths on the map rather than relying only on landmarks. Look for Booth 24 and the BrandMyBook presence. If you become unsure of your direction, ask a WOTS volunteer for help locating the numbered booth area.

Getting there by TTC

Public transit is usually the simplest option if you are travelling with minimal items. St. Andrew Station is a short walk from David Pecaut Square. The 504 King streetcar stop at King Street and University Avenue is also nearby.

From Union Station, David Pecaut Square is roughly six blocks northeast or one subway stop north. Because the festival takes place on a weekend, check TTC service information before setting out. Subway closures, construction and streetcar diversions can change the best route even when the destination itself is unchanged.

Driving and parking near David Pecaut Square

If you are driving, two nearby parking options are Roy Thomson Hall Parkade at 60 Simcoe Street and Simcoe Place Garage at 200 Front Street West. You can also check Green P or SpotHero for other available spaces.

Allow extra time. Downtown Toronto traffic can be unpredictable during events, and vehicles cannot enter the festival site during public hours.

Before your signing: the 15-minute rule

Please arrive at Booth 24 at least 15 minutes before your confirmed signing time. This is not extra signing time. It gives our team a practical buffer to welcome you, confirm your slot, organize the books and signing space, answer last-minute questions and keep the schedule moving smoothly for the author appearing after you.

If you know you may be delayed, contact the BrandMyBook team as early as possible. A tightly scheduled festival booth cannot always extend a session when the next author is due to begin.

What to bring for your author signing

Keep your setup simple. Bring your phone, a portable charger, mobile data, water, comfortable footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, your confirmed signing time, a screenshot of the Booth 24 map, and two reliable signing pens. Bring book copies or promotional material only according to the arrangements already made with BrandMyBook.

It also helps to prepare a natural 15–30 second introduction to your book. You should be able to explain what the book is about, who might enjoy it and what inspired you to write it. You do not need a hard sales pitch. A genuine conversation is usually a better way to meet readers.

During your signing: make the hour count

The strongest part of an in-person literary event is access. Readers get to meet the person behind the cover. Be ready to talk about your story, listen to visitors, sign books, and take photographs where appropriate. Keep your phone accessible for photos, but do not let the screen become the centre of the interaction.

If a reader asks what your book is about, avoid giving the full plot. Give them the doorway into the book: the central idea, conflict, question, transformation or promise. If your book serves a specific audience, say so clearly.

Wi-Fi and staying connected

Free City of Toronto Wi-Fi is available. Select TOPublic in your device’s Wi-Fi settings, open the terms page if prompted, and choose I Agree. Public Wi-Fi can become slow when a large crowd is using it, so mobile data is a useful backup.

Do not depend on festival Wi-Fi for anything essential. Keep important details such as your signing time, Booth 24 map and key contact information saved directly on your phone.

Washrooms, PATH and food

Washrooms are available at the south end of the festival site and in Metro Hall. The underground PATH also has washrooms and a food court, although some outlets may be closed or operate reduced hours on the weekend.

Food vendors, including coffee, are located toward the northwest end of the festival. Authors should ideally eat, get coffee and use the washroom before their signing slot rather than leaving during their scheduled appearance.

Weather and what to wear

Toronto weather can change quickly in late September. Check the forecast before leaving, dress for the conditions and consider layers that remain comfortable over several hours. Comfortable footwear matters because the event involves walking and standing.

If lightning occurs, leave the tent and seek shelter indoors. A festival tent is not appropriate lightning shelter. Follow all instructions from event staff, security and emergency personnel.

If you need help or the site is evacuated

If you need immediate help on site, tell the nearest WOTS volunteer and follow instructions from volunteers, security and emergency services.

If the site is evacuated, follow their directions to the assembly area outside the InterContinental Hotel / Metro Toronto Convention Centre near Front and Simcoe Streets. Organizer evacuation map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1faHxJxbPzcrFFaMVqG3lnzbDtS21vWY&usp=sharing

A simple signing-day timeline

Before leaving: check the weather and TTC or traffic conditions, charge your phone, pack your essentials and save the Booth 24 map. When you reach the area: allow time to walk from transit or parking to David Pecaut Square. Thirty minutes before your slot: report to BrandMyBook Booth 24. Before the signing begins: confirm the flow with our team and have your signing pens ready. During your session: focus on readers, conversations, photographs and books. After your slot: make space for the next scheduled author and coordinate with the BrandMyBook team before leaving.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is BrandMyBook at The Word On The Street Toronto 2026?

BrandMyBook is at Booth 24 in David Pecaut Square, 215 King Street West, Toronto.

2. When is The Word On The Street Toronto 2026?

The festival takes place Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026.

3. What are the festival hours?

Saturday runs from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Sunday runs from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

4. How early should BrandMyBook authors arrive?

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your confirmed signing time.

5. What is the closest subway station?

St. Andrew Station is a short walk from David Pecaut Square.

6. Can I take the streetcar?

Yes. The 504 King streetcar stop at King and University is a convenient nearby option. Check weekend service information before travelling.

7. How far is the festival from Union Station?

David Pecaut Square is roughly six blocks northeast of Union Station or one subway stop north.

8. Where can I park?

Nearby options include Roy Thomson Hall Parkade at 60 Simcoe Street and Simcoe Place Garage at 200 Front Street West. Green P and SpotHero can help you check other options.

9. Can vehicles enter the festival grounds?

Vehicles cannot enter the public festival site during operating hours, so allow time to park and walk your belongings to the booth.

10. Is there free Wi-Fi?

Yes. City of Toronto public Wi-Fi is available through the TOPublic network.

11. Should I rely on public Wi-Fi?

No. It may slow down when the festival is busy. Keep mobile data available as a backup and save important information offline.

12. Where are the washrooms?

Washrooms are at the south end of the festival site and in Metro Hall. The underground PATH also has washrooms.

13. Is food available?

Yes. Food vendors, including coffee, are located toward the northwest end of the festival. The PATH also has a food court, although some outlets may be closed on weekends.

14. Can visitors meet authors at Booth 24?

Yes. Participating authors have confirmed signing appearances. Individual signing times vary.

15. Do visitors need a ticket?

The supplied 2026 festival material describes the event as free for all ages.

16. What should an author bring?

Bring your essential personal items, phone, charger, signing pens, water, weather-appropriate clothing, saved booth map and anything specifically arranged with BrandMyBook.

17. Should I bring my own books?

Follow the book-copy arrangement already confirmed with BrandMyBook. Do not assume you need to transport extra inventory unless that has been discussed.

18. Can I bring promotional materials?

Bring promotional material only if it fits the arrangements made with BrandMyBook. Keeping the shared booth organized is important for every participating author.

19. What happens if I arrive late?

Contact the BrandMyBook team as early as possible. A late arrival may reduce your available signing time because another author may be scheduled immediately after you.

20. What happens if it rains?

Check the forecast and prepare for changing weather. Follow all festival staff instructions if conditions become unsafe.

21. What should I do if there is lightning?

Leave the tent and seek shelter indoors. Follow directions from festival staff and emergency personnel.

22. What happens during an evacuation?

Follow WOTS volunteers, security and emergency services. The designated assembly area is outside the InterContinental Hotel / Metro Toronto Convention Centre near Front and Simcoe Streets.

23. Can I take photos and videos?

Capture your own festival and signing experience while respecting other attendees, booth operations and any instructions from event staff.

24. Can authors promote their signing on social media?

Yes. Share your attendance and confirmed signing information using materials you are authorized to use. Keep event branding and organizer-provided graphics unaltered where required.

25. How do I find Booth 24 once I arrive?

Use the marked BrandMyBook Booth 24 map in this guide. Saving a screenshot before travelling is the easiest option.

26. What should I say when someone asks about my book?

Keep it concise: explain what the book is about, who it is for and what made you write it. Let the reader’s questions guide the conversation from there.

27. Can family and friends come to the signing?

The festival is promoted as free for all ages, so family, friends and readers can attend the public event.

28. Is the PATH useful during the festival?

The underground PATH serves the surrounding downtown area and can be useful for washrooms, food and indoor access around the neighbourhood. Weekend business hours can vary.

29. Who should I ask for help on site?

For a BrandMyBook signing question, speak with the BrandMyBook team at Booth 24. For immediate festival-site assistance or safety concerns, tell the nearest WOTS volunteer.

30. What is the single most important thing authors should remember?

Arrive at Booth 24 at least 30 minutes before your confirmed signing time, with the map and your signing details saved on your phone.

See you at Booth 24

For BrandMyBook, a festival like The Word On The Street is about more than putting books on a table. It gives authors and readers a chance to meet face to face, discover stories they may not have found otherwise and build connections around books.

We look forward to welcoming our participating authors and Toronto’s readers to BrandMyBook Booth 24 at David Pecaut Square on September 26–27, 2026. Save this guide, save the map, arrive early and enjoy the weekend.

Warmly,

Team

BrandMyBook