Groundwork 06

lay the groundwork

Idiom

To provide the right conditions

Groundwork is a generative workshop series in Toronto aiming to provide space for queer writers to access writing time and a writing community, away from institutionalized pressures or expectations.

This month, we're so happy to welcome Stevie Manning as our special guest.

Stevie Manning is a poet and Non-Op frontwoman, living and writing in Toronto. Her debut chapbook Joan Would Say, now in it's third printing, was a BpNichol Awards Chapbook Finalist in 2024. Her book Shampoo Boy was released in Fall of 2025.

The structure of the workshop is designed to provide an hour to an hour and a half of writing time, with guided interactive prompts. The last half-hour will be reserved for chilling, chatting and connecting — feel free to migrate to Grape Witches downstairs after this!

Our workshop is not bound by any writing style, genre or previous achievements. We wish to welcome all writers at all points in their literary journey. Please bring paper and writing utensils!

The workshop's iteration will be held on January 11th, 2026 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at the Grape Witches upstairs salon.

Tickets are PWYC (recommended amount $5-10) and go directly to paying for the salon space. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

We look forward to hosting you ❤️

**********************************************************************************************************

Grape Witches is a leader in diversifying and democratizing Toronto’s wine scene. We’ve added a couple of words from their home page for those who are unfamiliar with the space.

We began as, and always will be, industry veterans on a mission. Founded in 2015, Grape Witches began as a series of parties and educational events pouring the rare and delicious organic, biodynamic and natural wine we loved. The dream? To share the incredible flavours, places and people that made us work in wine - without the stuffy attitude. Fast forward through a few hundred parties big and small; from geeky winemaker events to sweaty dance parties to the world's largest natural wine booze cruise (yes, actually!!), and you'll find us on March 7th 2020 (lol) signing the lease to our first space and launching our natural wine agency, Grape Witch Imports.