Vancouver Writers Fest Accolades

"Solitude, while conducive to writing and reading, is sometimes overrated. I did not know how hungry I was to converse and listen, how eager to meet fellow citizens of Planet Book until I arrived in Vancouver. The VWF is full of great things, daring things, the beautiful, the improvised, the intricate and things that happen by fluke. Thank you dear Festival Organizers, Generous Volunteers, Kind Readers, Fellow Writers. Thank you for creating such a vibrant human space. You have completely rekindled my faith in the future of reading."

Kyo Maclear, 2012 Festival author

"Ontario Medley was a fabulous ending to a wonderful Festival, the best in my experience. Chor Leoni, Diane Loomer and Jane Urquhart are an exquisite blend of joy, music and humanity."

Josh M., 2012 Festival audience member

"I just attended my first Writers Fest event and I enjoyed it even more than I expected. It was a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with very intelligent, talented and interesting people!"

Mary Anne B., 2012 Festival audience member

"Long Walk to the Truth is the best session I have ever attended at the Writers Fest. It was very well moderated with an interesting mix of authors. I bought both books and can't wait to delve into them."

J. Smart, 2012 Festival audience member

"Junot Diaz was absolutely dazzling. It's incredibly inspiring to be able to attend events with writers of this caliber. I've been to four events this year and I really like hearing authors I haven't heard before, especially from outside Canada."

Jean E., 2012 Festival audience member

"Prior to the Poetry Bash I thought about what I would like to experience: diverse poets with a wide range of experiences… and you did it! A fabulous group of poets, insightful and joyous!"

Karen M., 2012 Festival audience member

"This year's Festival was outstanding. The mix of writers was inspiring and the moderators were excellent. I especially love the combination of literature and music. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make this one of the best weeks of the year for me."

Ruth F., 2012 Festival audience member

"My first experience at the Vancouver Writers Fest was delightful and enlightening. It was a pleasure to hear the selected authors speak about their works and their personal histories. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be returning next year for more events. PS. I have now become a reader!"

 Joyce Lam, 2011 Festival audience member

"I flew back to Calgary late this afternoon, inspired and energized from participating in the Vancouver Writers Fest. What a gift for writers, this opportunity, in its gorgeous setting, to share our creative works and ideas with the public and with each other. This morning I participated in my last panel, with Marsha Lederman as moderator. She created a session where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. People lined up to speak of how moved they were. Marsha lifted the panel to another level with her intricate knowledge of the books, her recognition of their subtle resonances, and her ability to seize those significant moments that presented themselves, even if they weren’t part of her prepared script. We felt in such good hands, able to hone in on and discuss those universal moments in story and in life that make an audience feel a community experience."

 Rosemary Nixon, 2011 Festival author

"Thank you so much for inviting me to participate in the Festival. I truly enjoyed myself, and am now settled back at home with a trove of happy memories. I met so many warm people and had so many laughs over the weekend, and it was wonderful to connect with readers and writers. Unfortunately though, I think I’ve developed a little crush on Vancouver. Ah, well, I knew the risk going in."

 Nicole Lundrigan, 2011 Festival author

"I so enjoyed being in Vancouver. The Vancouver Writers Fest is an extraordinary Festival and it was a wonderful way to end what was a very long book tour. The highlight—as I'd been promised—was the Literary Cabaret. It was one of the most exciting things I've ever done as a writer. I grew up around the Sun Valley Writers' Conference—my parents founded it—and as a result have very high standards when it comes to events like these. VWF is an impeccably run festival and I was honoured to be part of it."

 Alexander Maksik, 2011 Festival author

"A fantastic festival this year, as always, it just keeps getting better and better! The Ian Rankin and Peter Robinson combo was brilliant—a format to be repeated. I loved the casual but very interesting conversation between two authors who obviously clicked."

 Marjan Szlivka, 2011 Festival audience member

"It was wonderful to be at an event so evidently recognized by its audiences as a highlight of their literary year—is this just a Canadian thing, or are festival audiences always so engaged, so ready to laugh, so happy to participate and ask questions? There was a warmth and generosity at every event I attended, which made participating a great privilege."

 Cate Kennedy, 2011 Festival author

"Vancouver Writers Fest is the best of the large festivals, with a busy combo of panels, readings, one-to-one interviews as well as poetry jams and a mix of invitees from all over the world. What really makes it splendid is its setting on Granville Island. Attendees spill out of literary events into a bustling, joyful mix of theatres, art galleries, the Emily Carr University of Art + Design and one of the loveliest markets in the country that is at its height in October, when the festival takes place—all set by False Creek with its splendid view of the city’s downtown towers and the Coast Mountain range."

 Noah Richler, Canadian Tourism Commission, 2010

"The Vancouver Writers Fest is a terrific, energetic, sophisticated and marvelous Festival. The audiences were responsive and enthusiastic, with large crowds of book loving readers all over Granville Island at all times, it seemed; the staff and volunteers were fabulous and helpful, going above and beyond any call of duty to ensure that everything was perfect."

Alice Kuipers, 2010 Festival author

"The Vancouver Writers Fest strikes that happy balance: big and international enough to be thoroughly worthwhile, but friendly enough not to feel that you're a barely-noticed cog in an automatic machine. The logistics were smooth, the audiences are on the writer's side and the location (Granville Island) is just ideal. Truly one of my favorite ever festivals."

David Mitchell, 2010 Festival author 

"I have the feeling that through the years you've cultivated an audience with high expectations.  They came in numbers, listened intently, laughed easily, and were prepared to engage with writers in a serious way."

Joan Thomas, 2010 Festival author

"Having the privilege of reading at the VWF was one of the highlights of my year! the crowds were plentiful and energetic, the staff were accommodating and hospitable, the readers were thought-provoking and brilliant! What a gem this Festival is!"

Jon Paul Fiorentino, 2010 Festival author

"The audiences [were] large, friendly and curious, the kind you want to bring back home in your pocket. I sincerely hope to return to the VWF."

Yann Martel, 2010 Festival author

"I absolutely loved being part of the VWF this year. The audiences are smart, thoughtful and engaged, and the events are organized with so much care that I felt a true sense of ease before I stepped on stage.  Granville Island is a beautiful hub of art and food and the natural world, the perfect place to meet inspiration. Thank you for inviting me!"

Sarah Selecky, 2010 Festival author

"We had a great day at the Vancouver Writers Fest . . . I asked [VWF] Education Coordinator, Ilona Belks, for her suggestion and she chose well.  We had a great morning with Kevin Sylvester, Richard Newsome and Richard Scrimger.  I have always loved Kevin Sylvester's sense of humour on CBC, but his two co-panelists were even more hilarious, especially Richard Scrimger, they were also wonderful with the kids and had lots of great writing tips."

Meredyth Kezar, teacher and the Later Literacy Consultant for the VSB

"A highlight of our year is to meet and listen to fine authors. The Writers Fest never disappoints. The tip of the iceberg is getting to meet some of these brilliant authors.

Joan Tweedie, audience member

"A really good mix of authors on the panels: humorous and historical, poetry and prose, east and west. I'm a librarian so I appreciate this.  Being from the East Coast originally, I especially appreciate that the festival always brings in several East Coasters! Keep up the good work!"

Mary Duffy, audience member

"I love this Festival! It is so diverse in author choice and introduces me to so many new perspectives."

Gail McBride, audience member