Vancouver Writers Fest


The Vancouver Writers Fest is a non-profit organization that produces a variety of literary events in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its main event is the Vancouver Writers Fest, which is an annual week-long literary festival held on Granville Island, Vancouver in the third week of October. Writers from Canada and abroad attend the festival to perform readings, interviews and panel discussions. The organization also runs the Books & Ideas literary and social series on Granville Island, Incite reading series with VPL, and the Writers in the Classroom program year-round.
The Festival was introduced in 1988 by founding Artistic Director Alma Lee. In 2010, the Festival was named the "Best Large Literary Festival in Canada" by the Canadian Tourism Commission. The Vancouver Writers Fest adopted its current name in 2012.
Past authors have included Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Maeve Binchy, Peter Carey, Roddy Doyle, Timothy Findley, John Irving, P. D. James, Thomas Keneally, Andrea Levy, Frank McCourt, Rohinton Mistry, David Mitchell, Alice Munro, Michael Ondaatje, J. K. Rowling, Salman Rushdie and Carol Shields.
WWW writersfest.bc.ca

Programming

The programming of the Vancouver Writers Fest aims to promote literacy on both a local and international level; to support and encourage British Columbia and Canadian writers in their vocation; to showcase a variety of international works of literature; and to educate a wide range of communities and age groups in literacy and the written arts.
The main regular events produced by the Vancouver Writers Fest include: Books & Ideas on Granville Island, the Incite Reading Series, the Vancouver Writers Fest on Granville Island and the Youth Education Programs.

Books & Ideas

Books & Ideas was launched in January 2025. With an intimate theatre venue on Granville Island and a pop-up bar for socializing, attendees are invited to connect more deeply with other members of the local literary community—and meet the esteemed authors who grace the stage—in a modern space for exchanging ideas.

Incite

Incite is a free, public series that runs year-round. Incite is put on in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library and features discussions, panels and interviews with multiple authors. Past authors who have participated include Yann Martel, Bernard Schlink, Joyce Carol Oates and William Gibson. The Incite reading series takes place in Downtown Vancouver at the Alice McKay room of the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch.

Vancouver Writers Fest on Granville Island

Festival events include interviews, panel discussions, performances and readings as well as a four days event for kindergarten to grade 12 students. Recurring events include Grand Openings, The Literary Cabaret, the Sunday Brunch and the Afternoon Tea.

Youth Education Programs

The Vancouver Writers Fest’s youth education programs are an integral part of the programming of the organization.
Some of the education events include:
  • 36 sessions aimed at children and youth during the October Festival
  • Writers in the Classroom: free author visits to schools in Metro Vancouver
  • Two Youth Writing Contests

Granville Island

The Vancouver Writers Fest is based in Granville Island, a venue that adds to the overall experience of the October festival.
Some of the venues of the October Festival in Granville Island include:
Some of the off site venues include:
  • St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
  • The Vancouver Playhouse
  • The Beaumont Studio Artist Society