Meet the Moderation Team
David shultz
Role: Founder & Organizer
Hi everyone! I run the novel feedback meetings. I’ve been a member of the group since it was first started, which I think was in 2015. I write science fiction and fantasy—mostly short fiction, a little poetry, and one novel which still needs a lot of work. You can find a list of my publications (and links where they exist) and some of my thoughts on writing at my author site
justin dill
Role: In-Person Critique Sessions Moderator & Pub Night Organizer
Hey! I’m your host for the weekly in-person Saturday critique sessions as well as the monthly pub nights. I’ve been a member of the group since 2015 and am honoured to be part of such a welcoming, supportive, and incredibly talented community of writers. Pretty much all of my growth as a writer and all my successes can be attributed to what I learned through attending this group. My short fiction has appeared in The Dread Machine, The Common Tongue, and Augur Magazine. When I’m not busy writing, I’m either making music or bingeing horror movies.
michelle pang
Role: In-Person Sprints & Critique Sessions Moderator
Hello! I have been a member of the group since 2017, and I run the Sunday in-person writing sprints. I have published over twenty stories and poems, in venues such as The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, and Asimov’s. I have been a finalist for the Aurora Award and the WSFA Small Press Award. I am also the proud owner of some 400+ rejections (self-styled as “more than everyone else in the group–possibly combined”), and have many a tale from the ye olde days of paper submissions. When I am not writing, I busy myself with video games, photography, and my day job (not in that order).
peter reynolds
Role: Social Event Organizer
Greetings, Fellow Writers! I’m Peter and I fill in the gaps between writing workshops with fun social activities to help build our amazing community. From axe throwing and archery, to improv and our annual holiday party, it’s a chance to get to know each other and have a great time doing it. I also organize in-person book launches for our members, helping them promote their amazing work. When not doing that, I write YA science fiction and fantasy, as well as host a children’s story podcast. My latest short story, Broken Vow, won the Aurora Award for Best Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2023.
Gillian Secord
Role: Virtual Sprints Moderator
Hi all! I'm Gillian, your Queen of the Sunday Writing Sprints. I've been a member of the group since 2020 and joining the group was what inspired me to take my writing seriously. I've learned so much about writing, editing, and publishing from the people here. I'm constantly amazed at the depth of knowledge this group has.
I'm an Aurora-Award finalist, and my short fiction has appeared in Diabolical Plots, Fireside Magazine, Cossmass Infinities and others. When I'm not writing (or forcing other people to write on Sundays) I enjoy baking cookies, playing video games, and trying to teach my 2 cats how to type, in the hopes that one day they will write a bestseller for me.
Melissa Terry
Role: Virtual Critique Sessions Moderator
Hi everyone! I’m the other Queen, the one who runs the bi-weekly Tuesday online critique sessions. I’ve been with the group since 2020 and have learned so much from the incredibly talented writers here. My current work in progress, a horror sci-fi novel that can best be described as Dan Simmons’s The Terror in space, is in a significantly better state than it might have been because of the feedback I’ve received from this group. When I’m not writing, I’m obsessing about scurvy, listening to Pat Benatar or Eminem, and crying through the Dog & Puppies for Rehoming section on Kijiji.
Don Miasek
Role: In-Person Critique Sessions Moderator
Hi, I'm Don! My job is to be the perennial backup moderator in case all the other moderators are gone. It's a really sweet gig! In addition to my debut novel (Pale Grey Dot), I've done editing for TDotSpec. When I'm not doing any of that stuff, I'm probably playing D&D or videogames.
Pamela K.
Role: In-Person Critique Sessions Moderator
I have been with the Science Fiction and Fantasy writers for three years. What started out as curiosity turned into me writing my own stories and reading them to the group. As a new person to the world of fiction, the process has been very beneficial and I have learned a lot about both writing and critiquing.
With a background in Fine Arts and an MFA in painting, I have written many non-fiction essays about art history and architecture. As a personal hobby, I wrote about topics such as global warming, capitalism and the harms of the beauty industry to name a few. My goal is to keep improving until I feel confident enough to think about publishing.
I help run the Saturday in-person writers' meetup. I also attend the in-person writing sprints. Both of these meetings are very valuable to my progress as a fiction writer as well as a wonderful way to make connections with likeminded people!
the sff writer mission
Toronto Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writers is dedicated to providing a supportive environment for local and international science fiction and fantasy writers. Join our hybrid writing community to connect with fellow writers, showcase your work, and enhance your craft through critique sessions.
Our Core Values
Values that guide our diverse writing community and inspire growth through shared experience.
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Constructive Critique
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Inclusivity and Equality
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Mutual Support and Respect
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Hybrid Accessibility
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A Positive, Safe, and Welcoming Atmosphere
Rob Wesley
Role: In-Person Critique Sessions Moderator
Hey, I’m Rob. I organize and host Q&A sessions with authors / industry professionals and act as a moderator for our in-person Saturday meetings. I write under the name R H Wesley and my short fiction has appeared in Clarkesworld, Incensepunk and Polymorphic Magazines. I work as a programmer, though most of my studies were in philosophy. My wife and I spend a lot of time hiking with our dog and playing obscure board games.
Tim Windling
Role: Morning Sprints Moderator
Hello. I’m the crazy person who wakes up early to write—feel free to tag along! I joined the group in 2022, but started attending regularly in July 2023. Currently, I’m focused on writing short stories while experimenting with genre and style to define my voice. When I’m not writing, you can find me playing guitar, video games, reading, or watching way too much YouTube. I live and work out of London, Ontario.
Jesse McMinn
Role: Virtual Critique Sessions Moderator
Jesse McMinn is a Canadian writer and lover of fantasy raised on a healthy diet of Brian Jacques, David Eddings, and Terry Pratchett. He currently lives in Toronto with his wife Nicole and their family mascot, Pickle the crested gecko.
K.M. McKenzie
Role: Master Readings Moderator
K.M. McKenzie is the author of The CiviliZation (Iskanchi Press, October 2024). She writes speculative fiction (SF, Fantasy, and the supernatural). She hosts the Master Readings on behalf of the Toronto SFF Meetup group.
What Our Writers Say
So glad I found the Toronto Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers group! I wrote poetry as a kid and write professionally, but I had no idea about how to start writing fiction, let alone build a community as a (re)new(ed) writer. The TSFFW group was super friendly—Justin came right over to me and personally welcomed me when I joined the first Saturday meeting—and helpful to writers at all levels of their craft. I am a proud and loyal member now because the folks in the group care about each other's growth and success as writers. Exactly the kind of writing community I didn't realize I'd always been looking for!
Katie | Author
This is a friendly, welcoming, open-minded and supportive community. If you are a writer there is much to get out of TSFF.
Shannon | Author
Welcoming and Genre-Savvy Community
Join a supportive and engaging community that shares your passion for science fiction and fantasy literature.
Weekly Critiques, In-Person & Online
Refine your writing skills through constructive feedback and valuable critiques from experienced professionals.
Celebrations, Pub Nights, and More
Showcase your published works to a global audience and receive recognition for your creative achievements.
How It All Began
Founded by David Shultz in 2015 with a vision to foster a community for local speculative fiction authors, Toronto Sci-Fi & Fantasy Writers has been nurturing writers for over a decade. This website serves as a central hub for past and upcoming events, newsletters, and member publications.
