About the Vancouver Writers Fest
When does the Festival happen?
The annual Festival happens for one week in mid-October (usually beginning between October 15 to 19). We also host a range of Special Events throughout the year, and a free reading series, Incite.
Are there events year-round?
Our Incite reading series runs twice monthly from January to May at the VPL Central Library and events are free to the public. We also host events with writers at other times of the year. The schedule really depends on the book tours that the writers are on and who happens to be launching a book when. The best way to hear about upcoming events is to subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter Book News which promotes our events, links to interesting literary reviews and news stories and lists other literary events around town.
Is the organization a registered charity?
Yes, our charitable registration number is 12260 5678 RR0001. If you make a cash donation to the Vancouver Writers Fest, we can issue a tax receipt. As our $40 membership comes with benefits such as discounts on tickets and at participating bookstores, that portion of your gift is not deductible.
How do I become a member?
Any available job postings will be made available in the Get Involved section. Thank you for your interest in working with us.
Festival Box Office and Events
When is the Festival lineup announced each year?
We announce our October program in mid-August, and the first of our Incite events in early January. Special Events are announced when finalized, usually at least four weeks prior to the date of the event.
The Festival is held primarily on Granville Island, an urban oasis with restaurants and cafes, theatres, galleries, studios, unique shops, and a fresh food market.
How long are events? What are they like?
Most events are approximately 90 minutes unless otherwise noted. Sometimes solo events with one author are shorter, and events with an intermission are often slightly longer. Events take many forms: readings, panel discussions, performances or interviews. All events are directed at the book-reading public.
Why aren’t there more practical “hands-on” courses or workshops offered for aspiring writers?
The focus of the VWF is on connecting writers with Lower Mainland readers through interviews, performances, panel discussions and readings. However, we do offer poetry and short story contests for adults and grade 8-12 students.
Aspiring writers may wish to check out the Surrey International Writers Conference (www.siwc.ca) which offers several informative workshops from October 25-27, 2019, as well as opportunities to meet with agents, publishers, and editors.
Another excellent resource for aspiring writers is the Federation of BC Writers (www.bcwriters.ca).
Most of our event tickets are sold through Theatre Wire at 778-654-5054, which is a ticketing service run by our colleagues at the Vancouver Fringe.
When is the Festival Box Office open?
Tickets for the 2019 Festival will be available in early September (for members) and mid September for the general public. The Festival box office will be open from 10-4 every weekday (except statutory holidays) and from 12-4 on Saturdays. Tickets can also be purchased online at theatrewire.com or by phone at 778-654-5054.
Are there surcharges on tickets?
ALL tickets (online, in person, at the door, phone sales): $3.50 per ticket + GST
School group tickets: $0.50 per ticket+ GST
The event is sold out. Is there a waiting list?
A few events have waiting lists, if we believe that there is a chance of additional tickets being released. However, being on a waiting list is a member privilege; if you are a member, you can call the office to enquire 604-681-6330 ext. 0.
Is there ever reserved seating at events?
All of our events except for ones held at the The Vancouver Playhouse are general admission.
Will books be available for sale? May I bring a copy of a book to be signed?
Books by all participating authors will be on sale during the Festival at the Festival Bookstore (1359 Cartwright St). Selected books will be for sale at each event by the author participating in that event. All events will be followed by book signings, unless otherwise noted. If a lot of people want to have books signed at a particular event, we ask that only the most current books be signed.
May I get food or drinks at events?
Food is served and is included in the ticket price for the Sunday Brunch and the Afternoon Tea. Some evening events generally have a bar service and some also offer snacks.
May I bring children to the events?
Most of the weekday events are geared toward school groups, although Friday events are of more general interest. The age/grade level for which the event is suitable is indicated in the description of the event in the program guide. All school orders will go through our Box Office Manager (ext. 107) or Box Office Assistant (ext. 111). No babies or small children at adult Festival events, please, out of courtesy to other patrons. Please note that there may be adult content at other Festival events.
What age groups are your events suitable for?
Our events are suitable for a wide range of ages, and children will often enjoy our events, depending on the nature of conversation or reading. In addition to our events for adults, we also offer more than 40 events for children as part of the Festival in October. The age/grade level for school groups for our daytime educational events will be indicated in the Festival Program Guide.
What is your inclusivity policy?
Some Vancouver Writers Fest events are free. We charge for tickets to our October Festival events, and to Special Events. The Incite reading series is free, as are numerous additional events throughout the year. We are a registered not for profit and rely on ticket sales in addition to generous donations.
We offer discounted tickets to student groups, and free tickets to social service or community organizations that are impeded by the cost of the events. Email info@writersfest.bc.ca for information.
Questions about Volunteering
Positions vary from year to year, but just in case you are wondering, here’s a list of a few VWF volunteer jobs:
Administration: Help with Mail-outs, stuffing envelopes, with general office chores and front desk reception.
Author Hospitality: Walk writers to and from readings/events, or help with general author hospitality.
Books: Work with the Festival bookseller setting up and selling books at the Festival Bookstore and events.
Box Office: Sell and distribute tickets at Festival venues.
Production: Assist with venue set-up and strike, moving chairs and signs, equipment pick-ups, technical needs on-site, assisting stage managers.
… and so much more!
I’m not a writer, can I still get involved?
Yes! You can be an audience member, a Member of the Festival (discounts on Festival event tickets and and earlybird ticket buying privileges), or a volunteer.
Authors at the Vancouver Writers Fest
I’m a writer, how do I arrange to appear at the Festival?
Each year, approximately 100 writers are selected to appear in events at the Festival. The vast majority are pitched to the Artistic Director by their publishing houses (traditional/hybrid) who also pay for the writers’ transportation costs. There is no application process as appearance is by invitation only. For unpublished and emerging writers, there are occasionally “open mic” events held during Festival week by partner organizations; please see the Festival program guide.
How are writers selected?
There are several criteria when it comes to writer selection. Firstly, approximately half our events are directed to elementary and high schools, so children’s and “young adult” writers make up a sizeable portion of those involved. In making her selection of adult writers, the Artistic Director has to balance a number of factors including the variety of genres, Western Canadian, Canadian and International representation, writers whose books are published in either French or English, large and small publishing houses, to name a few. Most writers come to Vancouver promoting a new book.
Yes, we offer honorariums to all authors who appear at the Festival or at one of our events.