2024 Festival:
October 21–27
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2024 Festival Events

Welcome to our 2024 Festival! This page lists all our events from October 21–27, along with a few fall Special Events taking place outside of Festival Week. Browse the full lineup, or filter events by date or genre. If you know the number of the event you’re looking for, enter it in the search bar using this format: #01.

Tickets go on sale to the public on September 17, and to VWF Members on September 10.

Attend six events for the price of five! When you add six standard tickets to six separate events to your cart, the price of one ticket will be waived. This discount is automatically applied at checkout and available to all. Details on our Box Office page.

To learn more about this year’s Festival, visit our 2024 Festival homepage.
We look forward to welcoming you this October!

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Sept 18 @ 7:30 PM
Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema
$40

Pre-Festival Special Event: Liane Moriarty

Sept 18 @ 7:30 PM
$40
Join us for a pre-Festival Special Event on September 18 with bestselling Australian author Liane Moriarty, who speaks with Eddy Boudel Tan about her riveting new novel, Here One Moment. Moriarty’s Big Little Lies was the inspiration behind the HBO limited series that won eight Emmy Awards; Nine Perfect Strangers and Apples Never Fall were also turned into star-studded TV adaptations.

Participants:

Eddy Boudel Tan
Liane Moriarty
Oct 6 @ 7:30 PM
Frederic Wood Theatre
$40

Pre-Festival Special Event: Louise Erdrich

Oct 6 @ 7:30 PM
$40
On October 6, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louise Erdrich speaks with Carleigh Baker in Vancouver about The Mighty Red, a heartrending story about love and our tattered bond with the earth.

Participants:

Carleigh Baker
Louise Erdrich
Oct 14 @ 7:30 PM
Orpheum Theatre
$40

Pre-Festival Special Event: Malcolm Gladwell

Oct 14 @ 7:30 PM
$40
Malcolm Gladwell is one of our most influential thinkers, and a “rock-star intellectual.” He speaks with CBC’s The National host Ian Hanomansing on October 14. Gladwell’s first book, The Tipping Point, changed the way we think and talk about the dissemination of ideas. Twenty-five years after its publication—and many New York Times-bestselling books later—Gladwell reframes the lessons of his groundbreaking debut for our confounding new era, in Revenge of the Tipping Point.

Participants:

Malcolm Gladwell
Ian Hanomansing
Oct 21 @ On-Demand
Virtual (YouTube)
Free

01. The Wall Between

Oct 21 @ On-Demand
Free
In this nuanced and courageous pre-recorded event, available throughout the Festival, Raja G. Khouri and Jeffrey Wilkinson speak to each other about how Jews and Palestinians speak (and listen) differently to each other.

Participants:

Raja G. Khouri
Oct 21 @ 7:30 PM
Playhouse Theatre
$27

02. A Grand Opening: Finding Joy Amid Turmoil

Oct 21 @ 7:30 PM
$27
In sequential addresses, including readings and original pieces, some of the world’s biggest literary names will share what joy means to them in challenging times.

Participants:

Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Sadiya Ansari
Roddy Doyle
Andrey Kurkov
Heather O’Neill
Bill Richardson
Tanya Talaga
Kim Thúy
John Vaillant
Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
Granville Island Stage
$12

03. Reconciling History

Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
$12
There is one question Canadians have asked the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould more than any other: What can I do to help advance reconciliation? In this brilliant opportunity for both students and adults, she answers with a conversation based on her book, True Reconciliation. Grades 10–12.

Participants:

Michelle Cyca
Jody Wilson-Raybould
Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
Performance Works
$12

04. Coming of Age

Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Few stages of life involve quite so much change as that of kid to teen or, as it’s known, the Middle Grades. These three writers show the myriad ways we come of age. Grades 4–7. (Note: This event does not have a livestream option.)

Participants:

Kern Carter
Isabelle Picard
Wali Shah
Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
Waterfront Theatre
$12

05. The Craft of Graphic Novels

Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Three graphic novelists talk about the craft of graphic novels: why they’ve become so popular as a genre; how text and graphics interact; and the “invisible art” infused in deciding what to include in every panel on the page. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Emily Chou
Adam de Souza
Alison McCreesh
Molly Knox Ostertag
Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
The NEST
$12

06. Masterclass with Kevin Sylvester

Oct 22 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Beloved illustrator and storyteller Kevin Sylvester comes to the Festival with Puffin and Penguin, offering a drawing masterclass to help kids feel comfortable developing their own visual stories. Grades 1–3.

Participants:

Kevin Sylvester
Oct 22 @ 10:45 AM
Revue Stage
$12

6.5. Masterclass with Katherine Rundell

Oct 22 @ 10:45 AM
$12
The immensely popular British author Katherine Rundell will enthrall students with stories about how she crafts her magical realms filled with dragons, sphinxes, griffins, and more—including the worlds of her stunning latest book, Impossible Creatures. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Katherine Rundell
Oct 22 @ 1:00 pm
Revue Stage
$12

07. Worlds of Imagination

Oct 22 @ 1:00 pm
$12
Whether a parallel world of ghosts, magic, or mystical creatures, the desire to imagine is one of the joys of youth… and never really leaves us if we treat it carefully. These authors know how to keep imagination alive—and how to use it to create magnificent worlds. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Linh S. Nguyễn
Jael Richardson
Katherine Rundell
Melissa Yue
Oct 22 @ 1:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$12

08. Storytime with Nature

Oct 22 @ 1:00 PM
$12
Settle in, get cozy, and enjoy readings from three celebrated children’s writers who instill wonder for the natural world—and the communities we can become part of. Grades K–3.

Participants:

Andrea Fritz
Monique Gray Smith
Candace Savage
Oct 22 @ 1:00 PM
The NEST
$12

09. Masterclass with Marty Chan

Oct 22 @ 1:00 PM
$12
In a captivating event for students, Chan will share what he’s learned from his 25+ year writing career in accessible, fun tips. How is writing a bit like playing video games? What can Star Wars teach us about writing a good story climax? Students will discover this and more in an hour that will fly by with one of the best in the industry. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Marty Chan
Oct 22 @ 1:30 PM
Granville Island Stage
$12

10. Word! 1

Oct 22 @ 1:30 PM
$12
Our Spoken Word event series, curated and hosted by award-winning poet and spoken word artist Jillian Christmas, is a varied, powerful highlight of our youth programming every year. This Word! features three exceptional performers sharing poems about identity, nature, belonging, and finding your way in difficult times. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Jillian Christmas
Lucia Misch
Alessandra Naccarato
Wali Shah
Oct 22 @ 6:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

11. Elizabeth Renzetti in Conversation

Oct 22 @ 6:00 PM
$27
In this galvanizing, nuanced event, Renzetti offers a fresh perspective on issues facing the country’s women, delving into the complexities of modern equity seeking.

Participants:

Charmaine de Silva
Elizabeth Renzetti
Oct 22 @ 6:00 PM
Revue Stage
$27

12. Nita Prose in Conversation

Oct 22 @ 6:00 PM
$27
Nita Prose will speak to the creation of a character that has touched millions and been hailed by Stephen King as “the most interesting main character in a long time”, her move from acclaimed editor to wildly successful writer, and the magic ingredients in every unputdownable mystery.

Participants:

Nita Prose
Bill Richardson
Oct 22 @ 7:30 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

13. Ann Cleeves in Conversation: The Alma Lee Opening Night Event

Oct 22 @ 7:30 PM
$27
Ann Cleeves’ series is internationally bestselling, was developed into a hugely popular UK TV drama, and—11 books in—continues to offer mesmerizing crime novels that are as riveting as they are insightful. In this highly anticipated evening with the author behind the detective sensation, Cleeves will share more about her latest novel in the series, The Dark Wives.

Participants:

Ann Cleeves
Robert J. Wiersema
Oct 22 @ 7:30 PM
The NEST
$27

14. Scarily Brilliant: An Evening of Literary Horror

Oct 22 @ 7:30 PM
$27
Together, these three horror authors will discuss the process of craft: honouring and breaking from tradition; probing what is truly scary, on and off the page; and using fear to explore our shared humanity. This event will include ASL interpretation.

Participants:

Elliott Gish
Yeji Y. Ham
Jen Sookfong Lee
Adam Pottle
Oct 22 @ 8:30 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

15. Rachel Kushner in Conversation

Oct 22 @ 8:30 PM
$27
The two-time National Book Award finalist and Man Booker Prize-shortlisted author will tell us more about the fascinating conceit, unlikely feminist characters, and interconnected webs of art and politics in her new novel Creation Lake.

Participants:

Rachel Kushner
Alix Ohlin
Oct 22 @ 8:30 PM
Revue Stage
$27

16. Romancing the Page

Oct 22 @ 8:30 PM
$27
The romance genre has doubled in sales since 2020 as more and more readers discover that, far from fluffy escapism, stories of love can be page-turningly delicious while delving into the challenges we face in our lives. Together, these three novelists share all about a beloved, morphing genre in an evening of wit and revelry.

Participants:

Holly Gramazio
Yulin Kuang
Jael Richardson
Leanne Toshiko Simpson
Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
Granville Island Stage
$12

17. Word! 2

Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Our Spoken Word event series, curated and hosted by award-winning poet and spoken word artist Jillian Christmas, is a varied, powerful highlight of our youth programming every year. This Word! features three exceptional performers, sharing poems about identity, nature, belonging, and finding your way in difficult times. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Jillian Christmas
Lucia Misch
Alessandra Naccarato
Wali Shah
Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
Performance Works
$12

18. Big Hope for Little Ones

Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Storytime is always fun, but sometimes it can be inspiring, too. These picture book creators combine powerful text and sweeping art into moving stories of resilience and faith. Grades 1–3.

Participants:

Monique Gray Smith
Adam Pottle
Nancy Vo
Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
Waterfront Theatre
$12

19. Finding Hope

Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Whether dealing with crises themselves, or simply learning the power of hope in adversity, students will benefit from this wise, engaging, and relatable discussion about finding hope in difficult times. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Randy Boyagoda
Kern Carter
Sarah Mughal Rana
Kim Thúy
Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
The NEST
$12

20. Masterclass with Candace Savage

Oct 23 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Candace Savage helps students understand what it takes to transform observations about the world around us into compelling stories and prose. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Candace Savage
Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
Performance Works
$12

21. On Connection

Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
$12
Join for readings and conversation that will get students thinking about the importance of building ties and thinking of others—and support them in finding friendships in unusual places. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Angela Ahn
Tanya Boteju
Johnnie Christmas
Uma Krishnaswami
Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$12

22. Thrilling Tales with Richard Van Camp 

Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
$12
In conversation, Richard Van Camp will speak about what draws him back to the same riveting fictional place in multiple books, how he became so prolific, and the Indigenous stories that are inspiring him today. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Jael Richardson
Richard Van Camp
Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
The NEST
$12

23. Masterclass with Kern Carter

Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
$12
Connecting writing and publishing to pop culture, Kern Carter helps students build their confidence and understand their true value to the broader culture. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Kern Carter
Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
Revue Stage
$12

24. Good Reads for Middle Grade

Oct 23 @ 1:00 PM
$12
Our Good Reads events suggest riveting, failsafe books for kids that will keep them amazed and engaged. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Marty Chan
France Perras
Trina Rathgeber
Basil Sylvester
Kevin Sylvester
Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
Performance Works
$27

25. Short Stories, Infinite Identities

Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
$27
Good short stories can share expansive truths with the smallest details. Each of these authors offer mesmerizing insights into what it means to be human in their collections.

Participants:

Caroline Adderson
Shashi Bhat
Aaron Kreuter
Shaena Lambert
Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

26. Night Class: A Workshop with UBC School of Creative Writing

Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
$27
Now a staple of the Festival, this interactive, unpredictable workshop offers writing tips, tricks, and cues from five members of UBC School of Creative Writing’s illustrious department.

Participants:

Whitney French
Frances Koncan
Mandy Len Catron
Jen Moss
Cecily Nicholson
Alix Ohlin
Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
Revue Stage
$27

27. Dionne Brand in Conversation

Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
$27
Brilliant and essential: adjectives that could describe any of poet, novelist, and deep thinker Dionne Brand’s works but especially apply to her first major book of nonfiction in more than 20 years: Salvage: Readings from the Wreck.

Participants:

Kimberly Bain
Dionne Brand
Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
VIFF Centre
$25

28. Ru + Kim Thúy in Conversation

Oct 23 @ 5:30 PM
$25
Join the Festival, and our partners Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), for a screening of Ru: the story of the arduous journey of a wealthy family fleeing from Vietnam before landing in Quebec. Following the screening, Ru author and Guest Curator Kim Thúy will engage in an on-stage discussion. Purchase tickets for this event from VIFF.

Participants:

Anna Ling Kaye
Kim Thúy
Oct 23 @ 7:30 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

29. The Mystery Queens

Oct 23 @ 7:30 PM
$27
These bestselling mystery authors compare notes and ideas in a discussion akin to a cocktail party of your literary dreams… with both the authors and their unforgettable women protagonists in attendance.

Participants:

Alison Broddle
Ann Cleeves
Beverley McLachlin
Nita Prose
Oct 23 @ 8:30 PM
Revue Stage
$27

30. Jane Urquhart in Conversation

Oct 23 @ 8:30 PM
$27
Jane Urquhart’s awards, bestseller status, and honorary degrees are too numerous to list, yet she continues to share fiction that honours the richness of ordinary Canadian lives. She speaks about her latest work of exceptional literary depth, In Winter I Get Up at Night.

Participants:

Marsha Lederman
Jane Urquhart
Oct 23 @ 8:30 PM
Performance Works
$27

31. Ecosystems for Change

Oct 23 @ 8:30 PM
$27
These two scientists, authors, and visionaries have dedicated their lives to connecting humans to the ecosystems we inhabit and the crucial knowledge we can gain from better respecting them. Don’t miss a remarkable event probing how we use scientific lessons from both Indigenous and western thought.

Participants:

Diana Beresford-Kroeger
Sarah Cox
Dr. Jennifer Grenz
Oct 23 @ 8:30 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

32. The Power of Political Prose

Oct 23 @ 8:30 PM
$27
At a time of global political violence, it’s understandable to ask whether the pen really is mightier than the sword. Yet some of the greatest literature has been born from, and written in response to, injustices. These authors will explore the motivation behind writing such politically-involved novels and the role of writing in crafting social change.

Participants:

Michelle Cyca
Conor Kerr
Kirsten McDougall
Jacob Wren
Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
Performance Works
$12

33. Who Are You Really? 

Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
$12
In this uplifting event curated by Guest Curator Kim Thúy, authors discuss how we can feel like we belong, and celebrate the unique characteristics we all have. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Linh S. Nguyễn
Isabelle Picard
Wali Shah
Kim Thúy
Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
Waterfront Theatre
$12

34. How To Navigate Adults

Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
$12
These three authors move beyond stigma about difficult relationships with parents to offer grounded, wise perspectives on moving from teen years to adulthood. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Tom Birdseye
Kern Carter
Anthony Nerada
France Perras
Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
The NEST
$12

35. Masterclass with Richard Van Camp

Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
$12
The prolific, award-winning Indigenous author of 28 books—the most recent of which is Beast—is so entertaining, an hour will fly by as you’re immersed in his creative stories that speak to both the difficult realities of life and the sense of potential we can all tap into. Grades 8–12.

Participants:

Richard Van Camp
Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
Revue Stage
$12

36. Gumboot Kids

Oct 24 @ 10:15 AM
$12
Adorable creatures, bountiful nature, and a mystery to solve? It’s this perfect combination that’s behind this husband-and-wife team's exceptional Gumboot Kids books—and the popular TV show of the same name. Grades K–3.

Participants:

Eric Hogan and Tara Hungerford
Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
Performance Works
$12

37. Crafting Suspense

Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
$12
Students will learn from the best with these three exceptional suspense writers who will share how they manage to craft that edge-of-the-seat, page-turning plot that manages to keep readers guessing while tying up dozens of loose ends by the last page. Grades 10–12.

Participants:

Christina Barber
Emiko Jean
Molly Knox Ostertag
Tom Ryan
Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$12

38. Our World, Our Community

Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
$12
In this varied, in-depth, and accessible hour, three knowledgeable authors share deep-dives into issues that are foundational to our lives. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Megan Clendenan
Gregor Craigie
Petti Fong
Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
The NEST
$12

39. Masterclass with Johnnie Christmas

Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
$12
This Vancouver local is a true star who can teach us a thing or two about creativity, art, and how to build a life you envision. In this Masterclass, he’ll speak to the creative process behind his latest work, Gamerville. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Johnnie Christmas
Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
Revue Stage
$12

40. Today I Am: Stories of Belonging

Oct 24 @ 1:00 PM
$12
Discover 10 fresh, fearless works from acclaimed BIPOC authors in Canada. Join bestselling Gutter Child author and editor of the Today I Am: 10 Stories of Belonging collection, Jael Richardson, alongside contributors to the book. Grades 4–7.

Participants:

Marty Chan
Danny Ramadan
Jael Richardson
Brandon Wint
Oct 24 @ 5:30 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

41. Knowing Who We Are (And Who We Can Be)

Oct 24 @ 5:30 PM
$27
Three influential Indigenous authors share what true, lasting decolonization means and a powerful vision of how to more forward.

Participants:

Niigaan Sinclair
Tanya Talaga
Oct 24 @ 5:30 PM
Performance Works
$27

42. What I’ve Done For Writing

Oct 24 @ 5:30 PM
$27
The creation of art inevitably encroaches on life—whether through family schisms, professional divides, or controversy. These writers at the top of their game discuss what it means to write honestly—and what they have sacrificed in order to do so. This event will include ASL interpretation.

Participants:

Heather O’Neill
Brandon Taylor
Kim Thúy
Jenny Heijun Wills
Oct 24 @ 5:30 PM
The NEST
$27

43. Self-Portrait of Translation: George McWhirter in Conversation

Oct 24 @ 5:30 PM
$27
Poet, translator, and teacher George McWhirter offers a unique perspective on not only the singular collection but the enigmatic process of translating poetry.

Participants:

George McWhirter
Carmen Rodríguez
Oct 24 @ 8:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

44. Heather O’Neill in Conversation

Oct 24 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Few authors can transport us quite the way Heather O’Neill does. Whether gritty, small town Quebec, or strange circuses or—in the case of her latest work—the magical woods of a forgotten country—we are immersed in vivid worlds of heightened emotions and possibility. Savour a conversation with this multi-award-winning author.

Participants:

Shaena Lambert
Heather O’Neill
Oct 24 @ 8:00 PM
The NEST
$27

45. Canisia Lubrin in Conversation with Dionne Brand

Oct 24 @ 8:00 PM
$27
These two literary stars of unrivaled daring and intellect discuss Canisia Lubrin’s work to date, the process of braiding these stories, and the intellectual and emotional vigour behind them.

Participants:

Dionne Brand
Canisia Lubrin
Oct 24 @ 8:00 PM
Revue Stage
$27

46. Hunting for Clues

Oct 24 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Spend an evening with three writers who write clues like no other. Just how do they do it? Find out tonight.

Participants:

Sarah Henstra
Tom Ryan
Robert J. Wiersema
Stephanie Wrobel
Oct 24 @ 8:30 PM
Performance Works
$27

47. The Poetry Bash

Oct 24 @ 8:30 PM
$27
Entrancing, surprising, and memorable: The Poetry Bash is a gateway to discovering new-to-you poets or hearing your favourites.

Participants:

Stephen Collis
Jess Housty
Aislinn Hunter
Evelyn Lau
Zehra Naqvi
Michael Turner
Shō Yamagushiku
Daniel Zomparelli
Oct 24 @ 8:30 PM
Dockside Lounge
$20

48. Literary Trivia: 80s and 90s Style

Oct 24 @ 8:30 PM
$20
Delve into two decades of sounds and the talent behind them with questions from a former Jeopardy! contestant.

Participants:

Rajinderpal S. Pal
Andrea Warner
Michelle Winters
Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
Granville Island Stage
$27

49. Listening in the Age of Rage

Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
$27
A cruel irony of our age is the increasing prevalence of communication, and—with it—an almost inverse ability to listen or connect across political and social divides. How can we rebuild our shared vocabulary? In their books, and in this conversation, these two esteemed thinkers begin to answer.

Participants:

Kathryn Gretsinger
Carol Off
Ian Williams
Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
Performance Works
$27

50. Transcendent Fiction

Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
$27
Come meet three authors representing some of the most original and transcendent approaches to writing today. Each of these Indigenous writers’ works combine depth of ideas with magnetic, transfixing prose.

Participants:

Carleigh Baker
Billy-Ray Belcourt
Conor Kerr
Amanda Peters
Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
The NEST
$27

51. Bob McDonald: Just Say Yes

Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
$27
In his revealing, captivating memoir, Just Say Yes, beloved CBC Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald offers an intimate view of the path that brought him from a blue-collar background to his long-standing role as Canada’s foremost explainer of all things scientific.

Participants:

Bob McDonald
Jerry Wasserman
Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
Revue Stage
$27

52. On Translation

Oct 25 @ 10:00 AM
$27
The work of a translator is mercurial and brilliant, involving the precision of a scientist and the flair of an artist. How do these translators describe their work, and what wonders do they find between languages? Three brilliant translators join us to discuss.

Participants:

George McWhirter
Bill Richardson
Yilin Wang
Michelle Winters
Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

53. The Conversations

Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
$27
In back-to-back conversations with three international authors, novelist and poet Aislinn Hunter probes the writing life and questions about love, intergenerational bonds, and possibility.

Participants:

Myriam J. A. Chancy
Anne Enright
Aislinn Hunter
Jón Kalman Stefánsson
Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
Performance Works
$27

54. Science and Fiction

Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
$27
If truth is often stranger than fiction, how do these two internationally acclaimed writers play within both genres in their work? How does their fascination with science impact their prose—and how does their imagined storytelling influence their methods when talking about our magnificent natural world?

Participants:

James Bradley
Claudia Casper
Richard Powers
Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

55. Good Reads

Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
$27
The premise of our Good Reads event each year is simple: hear from three authors of must-read, unputdownable books.

Participants:

Holly Gramazio
Tara McGuire
Rajinderpal S. Pal
Michelle Winters
Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
Revue Stage
FREE

56. The City of Vancouver Book Award Ceremony

Oct 25 @ 1:00 PM
FREE
Once again, this year’s Vancouver Book Award will be hosted at the Festival, and you won’t want to miss this afternoon of literary wonder. The program will include live readings from the shortlisted authors, and the announcement of the 2024 Book Award Winner. This event will include ASL interpretation.

Participants:

Rueben George
Jen Sookfong Lee
Joni Low
Jeff O’Brien
Michael Simpson
C.A. Tanaka
Henry Tsang
Margaret Wittgens
Oct 25 @ 5:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre

57. CANCELLED

Oct 25 @ 5:00 PM
We regret that event 57. Rumaan Alam in Conversation has been cancelled, as Rumaan Alam is unfortunately no longer able to attend.
Oct 25 @ 5:00 PM
The NEST
$27

58. Poets in Conversation

Oct 25 @ 5:00 PM
$27
Ranging from implicit bias in the immigration system to the mysteries of ordinary life, to interrogating the past through familial relationships, to a threat assessment of the police, these poets demonstrate how poetry reflects our society and our souls… one breathtaking clause at a time.

Participants:

Mercedes Eng
Holly Flauto
Bronwen Tate
Rhea Tregebov
Shō Yamagushiku
Oct 25 @ 5:00 PM
Revue Stage
$27

59. Andrey Kurkov’s Silver Pen

Oct 25 @ 5:00 PM
$27
Ukrainian bestselling author Andrey Kurkov will speak about how the story takes inspiration from the real archives of crime enforcement agencies in Kyiv in 1919; why humour is so important to him in this work—and all others; and why he enjoys mastering so many genres, always with probing intellect, insight, and wit.

Participants:

Andrey Kurkov
Maria Reva
Oct 25 @ 7:30 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

60. The Knowing, with Tanya Talaga

Oct 25 @ 7:30 PM
$27
The Knowing is another essential read from Tanya Talaga: the unfolding of Canadian history unlike anything we have read before. It is the history of the country through an Indigenous lens, and Church-sanctioned disenfranchisement and genocide. This event will include ASL interpretation.

Participants:

Candis Callison
Tanya Talaga
Oct 25 @ 8:00 PM
Performance Works
$27

61. Highway to the Danger Zone: Lyrics Night

Oct 25 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Following our highly successful Lyrics Nights celebrating various decades, we’re returning with the same concept... But on a trip to the movies! Come get Footloose with host Elamin Abdelmahmoud and hear your favourite authors take on dramatic readings of classic songs from movie soundtracks.

Participants:

Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Kate Black
Nick Cutter
Elliott Gish
Drew Hayden Taylor
Kirsten McDougall
Rajinderpal S. Pal
Andrea Warner
Robert J. Wiersema
Jenny Heijun Wills
Oct 25 @ 8:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

62. Anne Michaels in Conversation

Oct 25 @ 8:00 PM
$27
In this intimate conversation, much-decorated writer Anne Michaels (winner of the Orange Prize, Guardian Fiction Prize, shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize, and Giller Prize, to name a few), speaks to her latest work, Held. Spanning four generations, it explores war and its aftermath; the way desire, longing, and trauma work transformations even decades later.

Participants:

Minelle Mahtani
Anne Michaels
Oct 25 @ 8:00 PM
Revue Stage
$27

63. Singing the Depths

Oct 25 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Given that more than 70 percent of our world is ocean, isn’t it surprising how little we still know about this life-giving, awe-inducing body? These exceptional researchers and authors help us understand more about The Deep while speaking to the sense of wonder many of us feel upon contemplating the waves.

Participants:

James Bradley
Amorina Kingdon
Laura Lynch
Oct 25 @ 9:30 PM
Performance Works
$10

64. Night Fever: Dance Party

Oct 25 @ 9:30 PM
$10
Come revel with us at the VWF dance party, an event that has quickly become a fun Festival highlight. We’ll be playing the catchiest songs from film soundtracks over the years, as well as tracks that will keep you dancing, dancing well into the night. Receive a 50% discount to the dance party if you purchase tickets to 61. Highway to the Danger Zone: Lyrics Night at the same time!
Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
Granville Island Stage
$27

65. Nathan Thrall in Conversation with Carol Off

Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
$27
Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Nonfiction, Nathan Thrall’s A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy is perhaps best described by David Schulman in the New York Review of Books who said, “I know of no other writing on Israel and Palestine that reaches this depth of perception and understanding.” Thrall, in conversation with Carol Off, speaks to his journalistic paragon and what it tells us given the horrors unfolding in Gaza.

Participants:

Carol Off
Nathan Thrall
Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
Performance Works
$27

66. Roddy Doyle in Conversation

Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
$27
Few can write humanity like Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle, holding humour and grace amidst hard truths. He’ll share reflections from his remarkable career to date, his motivation behind writing the Paula Spencer series, and more.

Participants:

Roddy Doyle
Jerry Wasserman
Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
The NEST
$27

67. Friends, on Finding One’s Voice

Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
$27
These two authors also happen to be very good friends. Together, they’ll discuss the hard, beautiful work of finding one’s voice, through history and through stories, in an intimate conversation to remember.

Participants:

Minelle Mahtani
Ayelet Tsabari
Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
Revue Stage
$27

68. A Perfect Day For a Walk with Bill Arnott

Oct 26 @ 10:30 AM
$27
Join us inside for a Q&A with Bill Arnott, author of A Perfect Day for a Walk. Then, come shine or rain (so bring those umbrellas), he’ll guide you on a walking tour on and around Granville Island, where you’ll discover places you’ve walked by time after time.

Participants:

Bill Arnott
Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

69. Rebuilding Pillars of Society

Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
$27
The issues of healthcare and housing are always top of mind for Canadians, and key issues in this year’s provincial election. These two authors offer practical and politically savvy solutions to ensure these basic human rights are available to all. This event will include ASL interpretation.

Participants:

Gregor Craigie
Jane Philpott
André Picard
Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

70. Claire Messud in Conversation with Eleanor Wachtel

Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
$27
Claire Messud’s latest novel, This Strange Eventful History, was chosen by Oprah, New York Magazine, The Guardian and the Globe and Mail (amongst others) as a Book of 2024 for its sweeping telling of a family through seven decades of upheaval. She speaks with former CBC Writers & Company host Eleanor Wachtel.

Participants:

Claire Messud
Eleanor Wachtel
Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
The NEST
$27

71. Blending Genres: VMI Betsy Warland Between Genres Award

Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
$27
Each of these authors combine the unexpected—either writing in many genres across works, or blending multiple genres in one book. We delve into these kaleidoscopic offerings before a ceremony for the VMI Betsy Warland Between Genres Award.

Participants:

Elee Kraljii Gardiner
Sarah Leavitt
Canisia Lubrin
Alison McCreesh
Michael Turner
Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
Revue Stage
$27

72. Less is More: Celebrating Short Stories

Oct 26 @ 1:30 PM
$27
Good short stories can share expansive truths with the smallest details. Three authors discuss why short stories are, in many ways, a true artistic form, and how a narrower word count leads to more expansive characters.

Participants:

Billy-Ray Belcourt
Jen Currin
Tara McGuire
Amanda Peters
Oct 26 @ 5:00 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

73. On Grief and Trauma: Personal and Global

Oct 26 @ 5:00 PM
$27
Dr. Gabor Maté, Raja G. Khouri, and Elamin Abdelmahmoud discuss the need for a new public language to talk about the profound grief of the last 12 months—and beyond—and why this grief can only be overcome in community.

Participants:

Elamin Abdelmahmoud
Raja G. Khouri
Gabor Maté
Oct 26 @ 5:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

74. Thuận in Conversation

Oct 26 @ 5:00 PM
$27
Thuận’s Elevator in Sài Gòn combines elements of the detective thriller, historical romance, and postcolonial ghost story into a scathing satire of life in a communist state. This promises to be a beautiful conversation with musings on literature, identity—and hope.

Participants:

Thuận
Oct 26 @ 5:00 PM
The NEST
$27

75. Nalo Hopkinson in Conversation

Oct 26 @ 5:00 PM
$27
Award–winning science fiction and fantasy author Nalo Hopkinson delves into the ideas within her new release, Blackheart Man, in which the magical island of Chynchin faces conquerors from abroad and something even darker from within.

Participants:

Nalo Hopkinson
Doretta Lau
Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
Performance Works
$50

76. The Literary Cabaret

Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
$50
It’s a formula that never fails: combine six acclaimed and award-winning authors with one band and a table of friends for a night of art and delight!

Participants:

Roddy Doyle
Anne Enright
Benjamin Millman
Richard Powers
Jón Kalman Stefánsson
Brandon Taylor
Ayelet Tsabari
Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

77. Drawing Out Family Histories

Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Three exceptional artists discuss baring oneself through visual art and the poignancy of graphic novels for sharing complex ideas.

Participants:

Emily Chou
Tessa Hulls
Sarah Leavitt
Teresa Wong
Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
The NEST
$27

78. Drew Hayden Taylor in Conversation

Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Whether the dozens of plays, the novels, or the anthologies, a through line runs through Drew Hayden Taylor’s work: they all tickle the funny bone. Writing about the world from an Indigenous perspective, this ability to cause a smile is how he bridges gaps between cultures. His latest, instant bestseller, Cold, is no exception.

Participants:

Michelle Cyca
Drew Hayden Taylor
Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
Revue Stage
$27

79. Fright Night

Oct 26 @ 8:00 PM
$27
Judging by the popularity of these titles, there are many millions of us readers who love a good scare. We speak with two authors who have some of the creepiest, smartest books on the market.

Participants:

Nick Cutter
Marcus Kliewer
Robert J. Wiersema
Oct 27 @ 10:30 AM
Performance Works
$45

80. Food for Thought

Oct 27 @ 10:30 AM
$45
Six authors explore topics at the forefront of our minds through their stunning non-fiction books, while guests enjoy a continental breakfast and our signature mimosas.

Participants:

Kate Black
Sarah Cox
Kathryn Gretsinger
Amorina Kingdon
Jane Philpott
Danny Ramadan
Niigaan Sinclair
Oct 27 @ 11:00 AM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

81. On Matriarchs

Oct 27 @ 11:00 AM
$27
How can we honour the experiences of women who have gone before us, and reckon with the tapestry of love, grief, forgiveness, and hope which pierce all their lives? These three exquisite memoirs begin to answer this.

Participants:

Sadiya Ansari
Tessa Hulls
Anna Ling Kaye
Minelle Mahtani
Oct 27 @ 11:00 AM
The NEST
PWYC (Starting at $10)

82. The Wall Between: Q&A with Raja G. Khouri 

Oct 27 @ 11:00 AM
PWYC (Starting at $10)
This event is a screening of a pre-recorded conversation between Raja G. Khouri and Jeffrey Wilkinson, authors of The Wall Between: What Jews and Palestinians Don't Want to Know about Each Other, followed by a live Q&A with Raja G. Khouri.
Oct 27 @ 2:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

83. Chiller Thrillers

Oct 27 @ 2:00 PM
$27
Whether it’s insomnia, an upcoming vacation, rediscovering reading, or simply escaping from the world, we’ve all had moments where the only book that will do is one we can absolutely devour. Look no further than these three thrillers, each adapting the genre in deeply exciting ways.

Participants:

Drew Hayden Taylor
Emiko Jean
Roz Nay
Robert J. Wiersema
Oct 27 @ 2:00 PM
The NEST
Free

84. Emerge

Oct 27 @ 2:00 PM
Free
Join us at this free event to celebrate the latest work from The Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University: emerge 24: The Writer’s Studio Anthology. Hear a sample of work from those who have participated in the illustrious studio this year, and insights from the writers who mentored them along the way.

Participants:

Oct 27 @ 3:30 PM
Performance Works
$55

85. The Afternoon Tea

Oct 27 @ 3:30 PM
$55
Savour an afternoon of outstanding readings and high tea delicacies, at one of our most beloved returning events. The tables will be laden with scones, sandwiches, and cookies; the tea and coffee will be flowing, alongside a signature glass of sherry. Accompanying the sumptuous spread are readings of anticipated new fiction from celebrated authors.

Participants:

Myriam J. A. Chancy
Anne Fleming
Conor Kerr
Kirsten McDougall
Claire Messud
Bill Richardson
Jacob Wren
Oct 27 @ 5:00 PM
Waterfront Theatre
$27

86. Art Speaks: Dana Claxton and Dorothy Grant

Oct 27 @ 5:00 PM
$27
In conversation together, and alongside visuals of magnificent artworks, artists Dana Claxton and Dorothy Grant discuss the rich landscape of contemporary Indigenous art.

Participants:

Dana Claxton
Dorothy Grant
Damara Jacobs-Petersen
Oct 27 @ 7:00 PM
Granville Island Stage
$27

87. On Freedom: Timothy Snyder with The Current’s Matt Galloway

Oct 27 @ 7:00 PM
$27
Our closing night event is, appropriately, with the “leading interpreter of our dark times” (The Guardian): acclaimed Yale historian and New York Times bestseller Timothy Snyder speaks with CBC’s The Current’s Matt Galloway.

Participants:

Matt Galloway
Timothy Snyder
Nov 19 @ 7:30 PM
Playhouse Theatre
$50

Post-Festival Special Event: Daniel Levitin with Chor Leoni

Nov 19 @ 7:30 PM
$50
Neuroscientist, musician, and bestselling author Daniel J. Levitin reveals how the deep connections between music and the human brain can be harnessed for healing in I Heard There Was a Secret Chord. He speaks with André Picard at this post-Festival Special Event on November 19, 2024. This event will feature interludes by special musical guests Chor Leoni, the transfixing JUNO Award-nominated Vancouver choir.

Participants:

Chor Leoni
Daniel J. Levitin
André Picard