Vancouver Writers Fest
@writersfest.bc.ca
Connecting people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue.
📚 Special Events Year-Round
🖥️ Digital Festival Dec 16–Feb 2
📖 2026 Festival Oct 19–25
📚 Special Events Year-Round
🖥️ Digital Festival Dec 16–Feb 2
📖 2026 Festival Oct 19–25
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of former Artistic Director Hal Wake, one of the great champions of Canadian literature, books, and ideas. Read more: mailchi.mp/writersfest.....
January 8, 2026 at 11:17 PM
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of former Artistic Director Hal Wake, one of the great champions of Canadian literature, books, and ideas. Read more: mailchi.mp/writersfest.....
It’s been a monumental year, with 125+ year-round and Festival events, that reached over 33,000 attendees in-person and online. There was no end to difficult topics to grapple with in a rupturing world; we found countless moments of lightness, humour, connection, and dancing too.
December 30, 2025 at 10:44 PM
It’s been a monumental year, with 125+ year-round and Festival events, that reached over 33,000 attendees in-person and online. There was no end to difficult topics to grapple with in a rupturing world; we found countless moments of lightness, humour, connection, and dancing too.
As we reflect on another spectacular year, we’re filled with gratitude for the community that shows up again and again to participate in the invaluable exchange of ideas.
From all of us at the Vancouver Writers Fest, we wish you a bright and merry holiday season! 🎄🎁🕯️ 🕎
From all of us at the Vancouver Writers Fest, we wish you a bright and merry holiday season! 🎄🎁🕯️ 🕎
December 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
As we reflect on another spectacular year, we’re filled with gratitude for the community that shows up again and again to participate in the invaluable exchange of ideas.
From all of us at the Vancouver Writers Fest, we wish you a bright and merry holiday season! 🎄🎁🕯️ 🕎
From all of us at the Vancouver Writers Fest, we wish you a bright and merry holiday season! 🎄🎁🕯️ 🕎
Uh oh! It’s Christmas Eve, and you’ve left a book-loving friend off your gift list. Purchase a pass for the VWF Digital Festival and you can deliver it instantly, granting your gift recipient access to 26 full-length literary events.
🎁 writersfest.bc.ca/event/digital-festival-2025
🎁 writersfest.bc.ca/event/digital-festival-2025
December 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Uh oh! It’s Christmas Eve, and you’ve left a book-loving friend off your gift list. Purchase a pass for the VWF Digital Festival and you can deliver it instantly, granting your gift recipient access to 26 full-length literary events.
🎁 writersfest.bc.ca/event/digital-festival-2025
🎁 writersfest.bc.ca/event/digital-festival-2025
Last minute gift idea for book/film lovers! Get thee with haste to a bookstore and pick up a copy of John Candy: A Life in Comedy, to pair with tickets to our upcoming January 21 event with author Paul Myers in conversation with Charlie Demers.
🎟️ Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
🎟️ Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
December 23, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Last minute gift idea for book/film lovers! Get thee with haste to a bookstore and pick up a copy of John Candy: A Life in Comedy, to pair with tickets to our upcoming January 21 event with author Paul Myers in conversation with Charlie Demers.
🎟️ Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
🎟️ Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
Books & Ideas returns to Granville Island in the new year with headliner cultural icons. Paul Myers join us with John Candy: A Life in Comedy, in conversation with Charlie Demers.
Jan 21 at the Revue Stage on Granville Island.
writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
Jan 21 at the Revue Stage on Granville Island.
writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
December 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Books & Ideas returns to Granville Island in the new year with headliner cultural icons. Paul Myers join us with John Candy: A Life in Comedy, in conversation with Charlie Demers.
Jan 21 at the Revue Stage on Granville Island.
writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
Jan 21 at the Revue Stage on Granville Island.
writersfest.bc.ca/event/paul-m...
Some memories from our sold out event with Margaret Atwood, last week at the Orpheum. How lucky we were to end the year in her witty, luminous company.
Were you in the audience for this momentous occasion?
📸 Photos: Dillon Byrne
Were you in the audience for this momentous occasion?
📸 Photos: Dillon Byrne
December 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Some memories from our sold out event with Margaret Atwood, last week at the Orpheum. How lucky we were to end the year in her witty, luminous company.
Were you in the audience for this momentous occasion?
📸 Photos: Dillon Byrne
Were you in the audience for this momentous occasion?
📸 Photos: Dillon Byrne
Presenting the VWF Digital Festival lineup—including many events that were sold out at #VWF2025! 📚 From December 16, 2025 to February 2, 2026, watch 26 full-length events online, from anywhere in the world.
View the full details and get your pass:
writersfest.bc.ca/event/digita...
View the full details and get your pass:
writersfest.bc.ca/event/digita...
December 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Presenting the VWF Digital Festival lineup—including many events that were sold out at #VWF2025! 📚 From December 16, 2025 to February 2, 2026, watch 26 full-length events online, from anywhere in the world.
View the full details and get your pass:
writersfest.bc.ca/event/digita...
View the full details and get your pass:
writersfest.bc.ca/event/digita...
Significant cuts to public arts funding are affecting organizations across the country, including the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Support the stories that make us who we are. Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation this Giving Tuesday.
writersfest.bc.ca/donate
Support the stories that make us who we are. Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation this Giving Tuesday.
writersfest.bc.ca/donate
December 2, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Significant cuts to public arts funding are affecting organizations across the country, including the Vancouver Writers Fest.
Support the stories that make us who we are. Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation this Giving Tuesday.
writersfest.bc.ca/donate
Support the stories that make us who we are. Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation this Giving Tuesday.
writersfest.bc.ca/donate
We can’t wait to close out the year with the queen of CanLit herself. Margaret Atwood joins us in Vancouver on December 9 at the Orpheum. 🌟
📸
R. F. Kuang photos by Rick Lee
Chris Hadfield photos by Paola Tolentino
📸
R. F. Kuang photos by Rick Lee
Chris Hadfield photos by Paola Tolentino
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
We can’t wait to close out the year with the queen of CanLit herself. Margaret Atwood joins us in Vancouver on December 9 at the Orpheum. 🌟
📸
R. F. Kuang photos by Rick Lee
Chris Hadfield photos by Paola Tolentino
📸
R. F. Kuang photos by Rick Lee
Chris Hadfield photos by Paola Tolentino
It’s been a phenomenal fall/winter Special Event season at the VWF. R. F. Kuang enchanted us with Katabasis; Arundhati Roy and Naomi Klein transformed us with their conversation about Roy’s memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me; and Chris Hadfield took us on a journey to the stars in Final Orbit.
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
It’s been a phenomenal fall/winter Special Event season at the VWF. R. F. Kuang enchanted us with Katabasis; Arundhati Roy and Naomi Klein transformed us with their conversation about Roy’s memoir, Mother Mary Comes to Me; and Chris Hadfield took us on a journey to the stars in Final Orbit.
Began in 2022 and an annual tradition ever since, Lyrics Night has quickly become a fan-favourite and author-favourite Vancouver Writers Fest event.
If you missed out or want to relive the magic, check out the 2025 VWF Lyrics Night Playlist on YouTube!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
If you missed out or want to relive the magic, check out the 2025 VWF Lyrics Night Playlist on YouTube!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
November 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Began in 2022 and an annual tradition ever since, Lyrics Night has quickly become a fan-favourite and author-favourite Vancouver Writers Fest event.
If you missed out or want to relive the magic, check out the 2025 VWF Lyrics Night Playlist on YouTube!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
If you missed out or want to relive the magic, check out the 2025 VWF Lyrics Night Playlist on YouTube!
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Writers' Trust Prizes! @writerstrust.bsky.social 🎉
We were thrilled to host Maria Reva—winner of the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Prize for fiction, for Endling—at the Vancouver Writers Fest last month.
www.writerstrust.com/events/write...
We were thrilled to host Maria Reva—winner of the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Prize for fiction, for Endling—at the Vancouver Writers Fest last month.
www.writerstrust.com/events/write...
November 14, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Writers' Trust Prizes! @writerstrust.bsky.social 🎉
We were thrilled to host Maria Reva—winner of the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Prize for fiction, for Endling—at the Vancouver Writers Fest last month.
www.writerstrust.com/events/write...
We were thrilled to host Maria Reva—winner of the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Prize for fiction, for Endling—at the Vancouver Writers Fest last month.
www.writerstrust.com/events/write...
Did you spot all of the stories by gifted young writers around Granville Island during #VWF2025? We love working with the Writers’ Exchange to share the voices of Vancouver youth!
November 11, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Did you spot all of the stories by gifted young writers around Granville Island during #VWF2025? We love working with the Writers’ Exchange to share the voices of Vancouver youth!
‼️ This is not a drill! A new batch of tickets has just been released for our previously sold out special event, Margaret Atwood in Conversation with Carol Off — December 9 at the Orpheum. Presented with the support of Penguin Random House Canada.
Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/atwood...
Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/atwood...
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
‼️ This is not a drill! A new batch of tickets has just been released for our previously sold out special event, Margaret Atwood in Conversation with Carol Off — December 9 at the Orpheum. Presented with the support of Penguin Random House Canada.
Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/atwood...
Tickets: writersfest.bc.ca/event/atwood...
Events like The Afternoon Tea, Food for Thought, and our opening reception could not take place without the support of our incredible Granville Island neighbours and wider community beyond. 💛🍕🥐
📸 First photo by Paola Tolentino
📸 First photo by Paola Tolentino
November 5, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Events like The Afternoon Tea, Food for Thought, and our opening reception could not take place without the support of our incredible Granville Island neighbours and wider community beyond. 💛🍕🥐
📸 First photo by Paola Tolentino
📸 First photo by Paola Tolentino
📸 Photos:
Victoria San Martin - 1
Carlos M Bonmati via BCIT - 3
Paola Tolentino - 4
Victoria San Martin - 1
Carlos M Bonmati via BCIT - 3
Paola Tolentino - 4
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
📸 Photos:
Victoria San Martin - 1
Carlos M Bonmati via BCIT - 3
Paola Tolentino - 4
Victoria San Martin - 1
Carlos M Bonmati via BCIT - 3
Paola Tolentino - 4
We’d like to extend our deep gratitude to all of our sponsors and partners, public and private sector funders, and individual donors, without whom we couldn’t do our work.
Thank you for all of the collaboration and support that made #VWF2025 possible!
Thank you for all of the collaboration and support that made #VWF2025 possible!
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
We’d like to extend our deep gratitude to all of our sponsors and partners, public and private sector funders, and individual donors, without whom we couldn’t do our work.
Thank you for all of the collaboration and support that made #VWF2025 possible!
Thank you for all of the collaboration and support that made #VWF2025 possible!
📸 Photos by Paola Tolentino, Salem Paige Maskell, and VWF staff.
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
📸 Photos by Paola Tolentino, Salem Paige Maskell, and VWF staff.
The Vancouver Writers Fest couldn’t happen without the support of our incredible team of 400 volunteers. Year after year, we hear from authors and attendees about how helpful and welcoming they are.
Help us thank them for all that they do! ❤️
Help us thank them for all that they do! ❤️
November 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
The Vancouver Writers Fest couldn’t happen without the support of our incredible team of 400 volunteers. Year after year, we hear from authors and attendees about how helpful and welcoming they are.
Help us thank them for all that they do! ❤️
Help us thank them for all that they do! ❤️
New York Times bestselling author David Sedaris returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Wednesday, May 13, 2026!
🎟️ Use our presale code to book tickets now: VWF25
www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110063...
🎟️ Use our presale code to book tickets now: VWF25
www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110063...
November 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
New York Times bestselling author David Sedaris returns to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Wednesday, May 13, 2026!
🎟️ Use our presale code to book tickets now: VWF25
www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110063...
🎟️ Use our presale code to book tickets now: VWF25
www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110063...
It takes more than a village to make the Vancouver Writers Fest happen—it takes a city. We’re so lucky to inhabit this one, filled with people who care deeply about books, ideas, and dialogue. Thank you for joining us at #VWF2025!
October 29, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It takes more than a village to make the Vancouver Writers Fest happen—it takes a city. We’re so lucky to inhabit this one, filled with people who care deeply about books, ideas, and dialogue. Thank you for joining us at #VWF2025!
3. Musqueam-Chinese Elder Larry Grant shares his powerful story in Reconciling, interviewed by Scott Steedman. Photo: @carolwong007
4. Susan Orlean interviewed by Matt Galloway—a brilliant conversation, available soon on CBC ‘s The Current.
Many more photos and reflections to come!
4. Susan Orlean interviewed by Matt Galloway—a brilliant conversation, available soon on CBC ‘s The Current.
Many more photos and reflections to come!
October 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
3. Musqueam-Chinese Elder Larry Grant shares his powerful story in Reconciling, interviewed by Scott Steedman. Photo: @carolwong007
4. Susan Orlean interviewed by Matt Galloway—a brilliant conversation, available soon on CBC ‘s The Current.
Many more photos and reflections to come!
4. Susan Orlean interviewed by Matt Galloway—a brilliant conversation, available soon on CBC ‘s The Current.
Many more photos and reflections to come!
On the seventh and final day of #VWF2025:
1. Volunteers serve sherry at The Afternoon Tea, a beloved VWF tradition started by our late founding Artistic Director Alma Lee.
2. Eleanor Wachtel speaks with the luminary, Booker-shortlisted author Kiran Desai.
1. Volunteers serve sherry at The Afternoon Tea, a beloved VWF tradition started by our late founding Artistic Director Alma Lee.
2. Eleanor Wachtel speaks with the luminary, Booker-shortlisted author Kiran Desai.
October 27, 2025 at 8:56 PM
On the seventh and final day of #VWF2025:
1. Volunteers serve sherry at The Afternoon Tea, a beloved VWF tradition started by our late founding Artistic Director Alma Lee.
2. Eleanor Wachtel speaks with the luminary, Booker-shortlisted author Kiran Desai.
1. Volunteers serve sherry at The Afternoon Tea, a beloved VWF tradition started by our late founding Artistic Director Alma Lee.
2. Eleanor Wachtel speaks with the luminary, Booker-shortlisted author Kiran Desai.
3. Terry O’Reilly in his sold out conversation with Kathryn Gretsinger. Photo: @thebernunithk
4. Local short story authors take the stage. Pictured: Clea Young, a former VWF staff on the programming team, in a photo taken by current programming coordinator Sarah Wang. ❤️
4. Local short story authors take the stage. Pictured: Clea Young, a former VWF staff on the programming team, in a photo taken by current programming coordinator Sarah Wang. ❤️
October 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
3. Terry O’Reilly in his sold out conversation with Kathryn Gretsinger. Photo: @thebernunithk
4. Local short story authors take the stage. Pictured: Clea Young, a former VWF staff on the programming team, in a photo taken by current programming coordinator Sarah Wang. ❤️
4. Local short story authors take the stage. Pictured: Clea Young, a former VWF staff on the programming team, in a photo taken by current programming coordinator Sarah Wang. ❤️