Authors included in the 2021 Toronto International Festival of Authors lineup. (TIFA)

For its second pandemic festival, the Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) is using its all-virtual format to highlight authors from across Canada and around the world.

The 42nd edition of TIFA includes more than 200 events, featuring big names from Canada (including Eden Robinson, Esi Edugyan, the Fan Brothers, and Ian Williams) and beyond (including Paul Auster, Lauren Groff, Anthony Doerr, and Lisa Taddeo). There are special performances scheduled for each evening, to be kicked off with an opening night musical performance by author Leanne Betasamosake Simpson on Oct. 21.

Created for this year’s festival is a collection of new writing. TIFA asked 11 writers, including Clayton Thomas-Müller and Maisy Card, to respond to the question, “Can You Hear Me Now?” Each day will feature one of these 11 authors reading their work in a virtual event.

“This past year has emphasized our need for culture to offer connection, resilience, solace, and entertainment; and books, in all their forms, play a fundamental role,” festival director Roland Gulliver said in a release. “I am looking forward to celebrating and sharing with our audiences the stories and people who are reshaping our world.”