The 38th annual Vancouver Writer’s Fest (VWF) returns to Granville Island next week, October 20-26. Once again, the festival delivers a week of stellar authors, exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue exploring the issues and themes dominating the current cultural and political sphere.
The wide range of programming delivers 130+ local and international authors at 87 events this festival season, including four events guest curated by award-winning author Canisia Lubrin in a program called Cycling and Renewal for the Earth.
Lubrin’s first book of fiction, Code Noir, won the 2025 Carol Shields Prize for Fiction, and was shortlisted for multiple other awards. She returns to the festival with a new book of poetry, The World After Rain, and welcomes a slate of amazing author including Danez Smith, Junie Désil, Cecily Nicholson, and many more preparing to offer meaningful dialogue on a range of topics.
VWF opens October 20th with a special presentation at Vancouver Playhouse – Oh, Canada!: The Alma Lee Opening Night.
Named after late founding Artistic Director, Alma Lee. Hosted by Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Oh, Canada! brings valuable, insight into what it means to be Canadian and what’s at stake in times when outside forces threaten our values, our livelihoods, and our sovereignty. Notable Canadian authors will give their outlook on who we are, and who we could be. Featuring Bob Joseph, Kate Beaton, Linden MacIntyre, Emma Donoghue, Canisia Lubrin, David Moscrop, Brent Butt, and Jack Wang.
The Festival wraps October 26th with the Closing Night Event: Susan Orlean with The Current’s Matt Galloway
Featuring Susan Orlean, an author and journalist who’s distinctive voice has been shaping the cultural narrative for decades, writing for The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Vogue, The New York Times Magazine, and Esquire, as well as bestselling books like The Library Book and The Orchid Thief. In her eighth book, Joyride, Orlean invites readers into her own extraordinary story following her career through a golden era of journalism. In this closing night event, she speaks with CBC The Current’s Matt Galloway about confronting writer’s block, the shifting landscape of journalism, and how she follows her curiosity to the most unexpected places.
Between the opening night and closing night events there are 85 other events, many already sold out. Conversations with acclaimed novelists and thinkers like Miriam Toews, Tim Cook, and Cory Doctorow. Meet Indigenous authors and influential voices reflecting on the ten years since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its 94 Calls to Action. Youth events are curated for school groups but open and of interest to all. Audience favourite, The Lit Cab – the Literary Cabaret combines six acclaimed and award-winning authors with one band and a table of friends for a one-of-a-kind evening. Food For Thought brings seven authors of intriguing nonfiction titles explore topics at the forefront of our minds, in this popular returning event where TED Talk meets café social.
Beyond the Fest, two post-Festival Special Events find Chris Hadfield discussing his book Final Orbit, on November 15 and Margaret Atwood in Conversation with Carol Off on December 9.
Running October 20-26, 2025, at various sites around Granville Island and at Vancouver Playhouse, the 38th annual Vancouver Writers Fest offers an opportunity to hear from some of the finest authors working today and discover new books that deserve a place on your shelf. Visit writersfest.bc.ca for tickets and the full festival line-up.