Victoria Writers Festival 2014

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Thursday, November 6th, 2014

Lovers of the written word won’t want to miss the third annual Victoria Writers Festival, November 6 - 8. The three-day event will feature Canadian authors in a packed schedule of workshops, readings, panel discussions, and book signings.

Festival highlights include a Friday night gala reading with Griffin Prize-winning essayist Don McKay, New York Times bestselling writer Tilar Mazzeo, and the 2014 B.C. Book Prize-winner Jordan Abel.

Also highly anticipated are readings by Kit Pearson, recipient of the 2014 Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence, and Darrell Dennis, the Shuswap comedian, playwright and actor who played Frank Fencepost on The Rez. Dennis is the author of the soon-to-be released collection of humourous, to-the-point essays Peace Pipe Dreams: Truths about Lies about Indians.

Other favourite writers making festival appearances include novelist Shani Mootoo, fiction writer Bill Gaston, memoirist Jane Silcott, and Aislinn Hunter, who recently launched the Books Matter Prize for UVic Writing students.

“We’re excited by the range at this year’s festival,” said artistic director and co-founder, Sara Cassidy. “We have established authors at the top of their game alongside hot, emerging talent.”

Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg writer, storyteller and activist Leanne Simpson will deliver the Carol Shields lecture on Saturday afternoon. In recognition of her collection of songs and stories, Islands of Decolonial Love, she is one of 12 writers named to the 2014 edition of the CBC Books’ Writers to Watch (festival reader Doretta Lau is also on the list).  

Other programme highlights include a master fiction writing class, a workshop in yoga and creative writing, activities for children, and the Songs for the Songs of Don McKay video poem contest.

All festival events will take place at the Oak Bay United Church, 1355 Mitchell St, Victoria BC. Tickets for panel discussions and the Carol Shields Lecture are $12; evening gala readings are $15.  Early Bird passes to all readings are $55.