Special Author Talk with Jess Janz: The Stories Between Us

Part of the 2026 Mississauga Literary Festival, this special in-person Author Talk with Jess Janz features a talk followed by book sale and signing.

Every book is a collection of stories…and so is every person.

In this engaging, interactive keynote, best-selling author Jess Janz explores the stories that shape who we are, the stories we inherit, the stories we tell about ourselves, and the stories we discover when we become curious about the people around us. Drawing from her book The Table Where We Meet and nearly a decade of hosting Dinner With Strangers, Jess weaves together personal storytelling, reflections on human connection, and practical insights into how stories help us build empathy, challenge assumptions, and deepen our understanding of one another. Audiences will leave inspired to approach books and everyday conversations with fresh curiosity, recognizing that some of the most meaningful stories we'll ever encounter might be the person sitting beside us.

Jess Janz is the bestselling author of The Table Where We Meet, a community facilitator, and the creator of Dinner with Strangers, a movement that brings people together to share stories over a meal – without discussing what they do for work. Jess has led conversations and experiences for organizations including Wealthsimple, lululemon, Altea Active Club, OpenTable, The W Hotel, Staub, Husmates, and Writers Collective of Canada. She also hosts monthly writing workshops and Poetry Club for a community of more than 70,000 people.

Jess Janz's book will be available for sale after the talk. The author will sign books from 4-4:30 PM. Photos will be allowed at author's disrection and as time allows.

Mississauga Library’s Author Talk series features a wide range of talented writers. Hear authors read from their books, ask questions, learn about the writing process, and find out more about their craft of telling captivating stories.