Vancouver Writers Fest
@writersfest.bc.ca
Connecting people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue.
📚 2025 Festival Oct 20–26
📖 Special Events Sept–Dec
📚 2025 Festival Oct 20–26
📖 Special Events Sept–Dec
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. ❤️
A small roundup of highlights from day 6 of #VWF2025:
1. The magical Lit Cab; music by Benjamin Millman and the Oxymorons, with Aotearoa New Zealand author Michael Bennett pictured.
2. Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross (🍈) and Sheung-King (🍊) chat in this photo from K2 Literary.
1. The magical Lit Cab; music by Benjamin Millman and the Oxymorons, with Aotearoa New Zealand author Michael Bennett pictured.
2. Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross (🍈) and Sheung-King (🍊) chat in this photo from K2 Literary.
October 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
A small roundup of highlights from day 6 of #VWF2025:
1. The magical Lit Cab; music by Benjamin Millman and the Oxymorons, with Aotearoa New Zealand author Michael Bennett pictured.
2. Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross (🍈) and Sheung-King (🍊) chat in this photo from K2 Literary.
1. The magical Lit Cab; music by Benjamin Millman and the Oxymorons, with Aotearoa New Zealand author Michael Bennett pictured.
2. Jacquelyn Zong-Li Ross (🍈) and Sheung-King (🍊) chat in this photo from K2 Literary.
We are devastated to hear the news of the passing of author Tim Cook, who was invited to speak at this year’s Festival. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and his many readers.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
October 26, 2025 at 10:39 PM
We are devastated to hear the news of the passing of author Tim Cook, who was invited to speak at this year’s Festival. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and his many readers.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
We’ve arrived at the final day of #VWF2025, and today’s offerings are among the best. Tickets available for:
78. Food for Thought
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
79. The Divorce Diaries
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
81. Global Political Narratives
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
78. Food for Thought
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
79. The Divorce Diaries
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
81. Global Political Narratives
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
October 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
We’ve arrived at the final day of #VWF2025, and today’s offerings are among the best. Tickets available for:
78. Food for Thought
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
79. The Divorce Diaries
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
81. Global Political Narratives
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
78. Food for Thought
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
79. The Divorce Diaries
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
81. Global Political Narratives
writersfest.bc.ca/festival-eve...
3. Mona Awad, Jen Sookfong Lee, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia delve into the feminine grotesque in a brilliant conversation with Mattea Roach. Photo: @elkebaysorensen
4. VWF authors are dropping into bookstores all across the city to sign their books! Pictured: Anne de Marcken at Book Warehouse.
4. VWF authors are dropping into bookstores all across the city to sign their books! Pictured: Anne de Marcken at Book Warehouse.
October 26, 2025 at 6:11 AM
3. Mona Awad, Jen Sookfong Lee, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia delve into the feminine grotesque in a brilliant conversation with Mattea Roach. Photo: @elkebaysorensen
4. VWF authors are dropping into bookstores all across the city to sign their books! Pictured: Anne de Marcken at Book Warehouse.
4. VWF authors are dropping into bookstores all across the city to sign their books! Pictured: Anne de Marcken at Book Warehouse.
Day 5 of #VWF2025:
1. Elamin Abdelmahmoud hosts an event with contributors to the new anthology, Elbows Up. Pictured w/ Artistic Director Leslie Hurtig.
2. A powerful discussion on censorship & book banning with Ira Wells, Mike Curato, and Jeremy Tiang, shared by moderator Marian Botsford Fraser.
1. Elamin Abdelmahmoud hosts an event with contributors to the new anthology, Elbows Up. Pictured w/ Artistic Director Leslie Hurtig.
2. A powerful discussion on censorship & book banning with Ira Wells, Mike Curato, and Jeremy Tiang, shared by moderator Marian Botsford Fraser.
October 26, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Day 5 of #VWF2025:
1. Elamin Abdelmahmoud hosts an event with contributors to the new anthology, Elbows Up. Pictured w/ Artistic Director Leslie Hurtig.
2. A powerful discussion on censorship & book banning with Ira Wells, Mike Curato, and Jeremy Tiang, shared by moderator Marian Botsford Fraser.
1. Elamin Abdelmahmoud hosts an event with contributors to the new anthology, Elbows Up. Pictured w/ Artistic Director Leslie Hurtig.
2. A powerful discussion on censorship & book banning with Ira Wells, Mike Curato, and Jeremy Tiang, shared by moderator Marian Botsford Fraser.
Don’t let a little rain stop you from catching the last two days of #VWF2025! It’s the perfect time to warm up indoors with rejuvenating conversations and excellent books.
Stay cozy with merch from the pop-up bookstore, modelled here by Festival Assistant Kelly.
Stay cozy with merch from the pop-up bookstore, modelled here by Festival Assistant Kelly.
October 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Don’t let a little rain stop you from catching the last two days of #VWF2025! It’s the perfect time to warm up indoors with rejuvenating conversations and excellent books.
Stay cozy with merch from the pop-up bookstore, modelled here by Festival Assistant Kelly.
Stay cozy with merch from the pop-up bookstore, modelled here by Festival Assistant Kelly.
Saturday is the penultimate day of #VWF2025, and the schedule is packed with fantastic events from morning to night. Don’t miss out on these top pick events that still have tickets available:
October 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Saturday is the penultimate day of #VWF2025, and the schedule is packed with fantastic events from morning to night. Don’t miss out on these top pick events that still have tickets available:
3. Sarah Suk, Coltrane Seesequasis, and Clara Kumagai, with moderator Christina Barber.
4. Behind the scenes, this toy bear crocheted by our managing director Jenn Milley has been bringing the team joy all week. There are plenty of (signed!) books for youth available at the pop-up bookstore!
4. Behind the scenes, this toy bear crocheted by our managing director Jenn Milley has been bringing the team joy all week. There are plenty of (signed!) books for youth available at the pop-up bookstore!
October 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
3. Sarah Suk, Coltrane Seesequasis, and Clara Kumagai, with moderator Christina Barber.
4. Behind the scenes, this toy bear crocheted by our managing director Jenn Milley has been bringing the team joy all week. There are plenty of (signed!) books for youth available at the pop-up bookstore!
4. Behind the scenes, this toy bear crocheted by our managing director Jenn Milley has been bringing the team joy all week. There are plenty of (signed!) books for youth available at the pop-up bookstore!
More from yesterday at #VWF2025:
1. Cory Doctorow delivers brilliant remarks on the state of the internet, with David Moscrop.
2. A crucial conversation about writing in today’s America: Jess Walter, Curtis Sittenfeld, Anne de Marcken, and John Freeman. Photo: @readsunderamountain via Instagram
1. Cory Doctorow delivers brilliant remarks on the state of the internet, with David Moscrop.
2. A crucial conversation about writing in today’s America: Jess Walter, Curtis Sittenfeld, Anne de Marcken, and John Freeman. Photo: @readsunderamountain via Instagram
October 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
More from yesterday at #VWF2025:
1. Cory Doctorow delivers brilliant remarks on the state of the internet, with David Moscrop.
2. A crucial conversation about writing in today’s America: Jess Walter, Curtis Sittenfeld, Anne de Marcken, and John Freeman. Photo: @readsunderamountain via Instagram
1. Cory Doctorow delivers brilliant remarks on the state of the internet, with David Moscrop.
2. A crucial conversation about writing in today’s America: Jess Walter, Curtis Sittenfeld, Anne de Marcken, and John Freeman. Photo: @readsunderamountain via Instagram