This weekend a stacked line-up of award-winning Canadian authors and speakers will descend upon the North Shore, as the local libraries welcome their return of the annual Writers Festival.
The literary event, running April 12 to 13 at the North Vancouver City Library, will celebrate its 24th year of bringing together wordsmiths from across the country for in-depth book talks and Q&A sessions.
On the billing are a mix of both long standing and debut authors, and novels spanning all manner of genres.
Brian Thomas Isaac, whose award-winning All the Quiet Places follows a young boy growing up on the Okanagan Indian Reserve, will sit down with CBC radio host Margaret Gallagher for an in depth discussion on his debut novel.
Panel conversations will keep foodies and poetry lovers entertained, with vegan cookbook authors and influencers Lyndsay Sung, Bri Beaudoin, Desiree Nielsen and Joanna Tymkiw due to get together to discuss the world of plant-based cooking, and celebrated poets Sareh Farmand, Trish Gauntlett, Renée Sarojini Saklikar, and Lisa Bagshaw set to unite for a chat on the impact of the written verse.
Other highlights include a discussion between author Emi Sasagawa and 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize finalist author Kevin Chong, a dynamic conversation on writing for young adults with notable YA authors Sarah Suk and Sabina Khan, and a seminar and workshop by author JJ Lee with tips on writing a personal memoir.
For those wanting to challenge their own literary knowledge, the event’s Literary Trivia Night, hosted by author and comedian Charles Demers, will run Friday night from 7 p.m.
Kung Jaadee, the library’s first ever Indigenous storyteller in residence, will welcome the country-wide authors with a traditional Welcome to the Territory event Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
While all events are free to attend, registration is required.
For more information on the festival and its schedule, visit the North Shore Writers Festival website.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
