The Estrie Book Fair (SLE) today unveiled the visual identity of its 48th edition, under the theme COURAGE, which will be held from October 15 to 18, 2026 at the Center de Foires de Sherbrooke. The unveiling took place on the campus of the University of Sherbrooke, new partner of the SLE. It was also the opportunity to announce the honorary president, Patrick Senécal, as well as the publishing house in the spotlight, Alire, a key figure in genre literature in Quebec, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
COURAGEAfter “Resist” in 2025, the theme “Courage” was obvious. Resisting means standing up. Having courage means moving forward despite uncertainty. It means agreeing to name what scares you, to face what is wavering, then to look for a way to act in the face of everyday challenges. In a world crossed by exhaustion, precariousness and technological transformations, the book is one of the places where this courage can be born, recognized and transmitted. For the SLE, the COURAGE theme therefore invites us to make the book a space for encounters and momentum. A place where we come to look for stories to keep us going, ideas to choose better, words to feel less alone, imaginations to start again.
Honorary President: Patrick SenécalAuthor, screenwriter, director and host of the podcast “More fear than harm”, Patrick Senécal naturally fits into the theme of courage. Through his bold writing, he invites readers to confront their fears, to question their certainties and to recognize the fragility of their bearings. Anchored in the literary landscape for more than 30 years, he leads people to believe in the transformative power of stories.
The publishing house in the spotlight: AlireFounded by Jean Pettigrew, Louise Alain and Lorraine Bourassa in 1996 in Lévis, the Alire publishing house is a key figure in genre literature in Quebec. Specializing in science fiction, fantasy, fantasy, thriller and horror, its mission is to develop, publish and promote the works of French-speaking authors from here.
The unveiling of the full program is scheduled for September 23, 2026.
About the Estrie Book Fair The Estrie Book Fair is the most important literary event in the region, contributing to the democratization of books and their access for everyone, from students to families, including cultural communities and minority groups. In 2025, it will reach more than 17,000 people. Since 1979, its mission has been to promote books and promote authors from Estrie.