 |
Presented in partnership with Vancouver Public Library. |
Come one, come all to this festive holiday edition of Incite to toast to a year of fabulous literary events. You’ll discover a delightful variety of offerings under the Christmas tree, as three authors of Christmas-themed books spanning different genres—romance, mystery, and even ghost stories—regale us with their yuletide tales. Tanya Boteju, JJ Lee, and Iona Whishaw join us in conversation with Bill Richardson.
From Tanya Boteju, Setting the Stage for Christmas is a sizzling yet sweet festive rom-com. When a local landmark goes up for sale in a small town, local theatre director Bo draws up plans to produce the loudest, most magical play to save the day. To pull it all off, Bo needs a set builder who can bring her vision to life—but the only option seems to be the newly returned Val Morales, Bo’s long lost high school sweetheart.
Detective Lane Winslow returns in A Season for Spies, the latest page-turning mystery from bestselling author Iona Whishaw. This action-packed prequel sees the popular detective embark on her first spy mission in wartime England, while her grandparents’ quiet Christmas in Scotland is interrupted by a mysterious, possibly sinister guest.
Ghost stories have been associated with Christmas since Charles Dickens first published A Christmas Carol. Generations of Canadians grew up listening to beloved stories on CBC radio every Christmas Eve. Author and broadcaster JJ Lee breathes new life into both traditions in Shivers. Each of the twelve stories in this jewel-like collection can be read aloud in about eight minutes, and audiences of all ages will enjoy this opportunity to reconnect over tales of wintry spirits.
Beloved local author and Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour-winner Bill Richardson joins as our charismatic host. Christmas sweaters, blankets, and mugs of cozy beverages are encouraged!
About Incite
Presented by the Vancouver Writers Fest and Vancouver Public Library, Incite is a free quarterly series offering fascinating conversations with celebrated authors and emerging talents. Incite is open to all, in-person at the VPL’s Central Library or online. Books will be for sale at the event by Book Warehouse/Black Bond Books, and most events will have a signing after the talk. Can’t make the date? Sign up for the livestream to receive the recording in your inbox!
Participants and Speakers
Tanya Boteju
TANYA BOTEJU lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, BC). Part-time, she teaches English to clever, sassy young people. In both teaching and writing, Boteju looks to bend the universe even the tiniest bit toward justice. Her latest novel is Lake Life.
Iona Whishaw
IONA WHISHAW is a former educator and social worker whose mother and grandfather were both spies during their respective wars. She is the award-winning author of the Globe and Mail bestselling Lane Winslow Mystery series. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband.
JJ Lee
JJ LEE edited the nonfiction “Christmas Blues” anthologies: Better Next Year, Upon A Midnight Clear, and Better This Year. He is also the author of The Measure of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son, and a Suit, which was shortlisted for the 2011 Governor-General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction, the 2012 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Nonfiction, and the 2012 Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction. As a magazine feature and essay writer, his pieces have appeared in print and online in Canadian Architect, C Magazine, Parachute, Border Crossings, The Georgia Straight, Vancouver Magazine, Flare, Fashion, Maclean’s, Nuvo,
and Montecristo. He lives in New Westminster, BC
Bill Richardson
BILL RICHARDSON is a well-known author and former broadcaster from Vancouver, Canada. He has written numerous, celebrated books for both adults and children, including plays, poetry, and fiction. His works have earned him several awards, including the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. He is a frequent public speaker and performer, known for his love of storytelling and music.