UBC Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, Photo: Naga Natarrajan/Vancouver Writers Fest
Connect with authors and fellow readers when the 37th annual week-long Vancouver Writers Fest (VWF) returns to venues across Granville Island and downtown from October 21-27. The festival is an opportunity for book lovers to gather together and bond over literature and ideas at over 88 events celebrating bestselling fiction, award-winning non-fiction, and the finest in both Canadian and international literature.
Special Guests
Photo: Dillon Byrne/Vancouver Writers Fest
Each year, VWF welcomes special guests, authors, and literary figures. This year, award-winning Vietnamese-Canadian author Kim Thúy as its special guest curator. She’ll be curating six great events for youth and adults.
The week of programming will also feature authors such as Gabor Maté, Yulin Kuang, Anne Michaels, Nita Prose, Ann Cleeves, Ian Williams, and many more.
Before the Writers Fest kicks off, there are a few special events with special guests:
Special Events
Image: Vancouver Writers Fest
Louise Erdrich in Conversation with Carleigh Baker @ Frederic Wood Theatre – Oct. 6
Celebrate world-renowned, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Louise Erdrich‘s new book. Known for her award-winning and bestselling novels centring modern-day Native American experiences. She joins nêhiyaw âpihtawikosisân/Icelandic author Carleigh Baker to discuss The Mighty Red, a heartrending story about love and our tattered bond with the earth.
Malcolm Gladwell in Conversation with Ian Hanomansing @ Orpheum Theatre – Oct. 14
One of our most influential thinkers, multi-time New York Times-bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell, shares his unique perspective and insights from his latest book Revenge of the Tipping Point in conversation with CBC The National host Ian Hanomansing.
Other regular Writers Fest events to check out:
- The Craft of Graphic Novels @ Waterfront Theatre – Oct. 22
- Scarily Brilliant: An Evening of Literary Horror @ The Nest – Oct. 22
- The Poetry Bash @ Performance Works – Oct. 24
- Literary Trivia: ’80 & ’90s Style @ Dockside Lounge – Oct. 24
- Listening in the Age of Rage @ Granville Island Stage – Oct 25
Granville Island
Photo: Olivia Leigh Nowak/Upstart & Crow
Most VWF events take place on the beautiful and scenic Granville Island, a destination for both visitors and artists. Before or after your event, take a walk along the island in full view of False Creek and Downtown Vancouver.
You can also grab a drink at the newly-renovated Granville Island Brewing or Liberty Distillery. For a great meal, check out Alimentaria Mexicana, the Vancouver Fish Company, or Tap & Barrel Bridges.
For insatiable readers, pay a visit to the locally-owned Upstart & Crow bookshop and Nooroongji Books right on Granville Island. For more independent bookstores in the city, try Iron Dog Books, Macleod’s, The Paper Hound, or Pulp Fiction to find works from all the authors featured at VWF.
Photo: Naga Natarrajan/Vancouver Writers Fest
Since 1988, the Vancouver Writers Fest has connected readers with authors through shared ideas and dialogue during its year-round programming and prestigious annual literary festival. Thousands of book lovers visit the cultural hub of Granville Island and venues around Vancouver to hear from local and international writers during the week-long event.
Tickets go on sale starting September 17 (on September for VWF members). To browse the program guide, visit VWF’s website.