Meet the Writers

Ivan Coyote is a skilled storyteller adept at writing both fiction and nonfiction.

“Riveting,” “superb,” and “gripping” are just some of the adjectives used to describe Sam Wiebe’s award-winning crime novels.

As The Globe and Mail’s health reporter since 1987, André Picard has consistently brought critical awareness to vital public health issues facing Canadians.

Farzana Doctor is an award-winning author whose books have garnered rave reviews and graced several “best of” lists. Her newest book, a collection of poems titled You Still Look The Same, will be released this May.

For Betsy Warland, author of 14 acclaimed books, everything is writing. Warland’s latest release is a second edition of her lyric prose memoir Bloodroot: The Untelling of Motherloss.

Jesse Wente is an award-winning Anishinaabe writer, broadcaster, speaker and arts leader. His new book, Unreconciled: Family, Truth, and Indigenous Resistance, has become a national bestseller and Globe and Mail book of the year.

Jael Richardson is familiar to many of us as the books columnist on CBC Radio’s q. She is also an accomplished author in her own right.

Joshua Whitehead is a Two-Spirit, Oji-nêhiyaw member of Peguis First Nation (Treaty 1) and an important writer, thinker and scholar.

Marsha Lederman is The Globe and Mail’s Western Arts correspondent and recipient of a National Newspaper Award for her work. Lederman has now brought her considerable investigative and writing skills to her debut book, the memoir Kiss the Red Stairs: The Holocaust, Once Removed.

Dr. Norma Dunning is an Inuk poet, short story writer, researcher, scholar and professor at the University of Alberta.

Kamal Al-Solaylee is a skilled journalist and writer expertly blending fact, analysis, and personal story.

This event brings together three very accomplished writers with debut poetry collections.

There are barely enough adjectives to contain all of Lee Maracle, her passion for writing and her people, and the enormity of her influence on Canadian literature.

Journalist and writer Harley Rustad is also an editor with The Walrus magazine and with the Banff Centre’s mountain and wilderness writing residency.

Shelagh Rogers has been a broadcast journalist for over 40 years and is the current host of the CBC award-winning program, The Next Chapter.

S. Bear Bergman writes essays that are personal, honest, and like the best storytellers, will have you laughing one moment and crying the next.

That’s the famous slogan of the New York Times, but these days what is “news” and what is “fit” have become difficult to discern. Social media and other non-mainstream digital news sources have become the preferred way for Canadians to receive their news.

Jen Sookfong Lee is the author of eight books in various genres for both kids and adults. In Superfan, a memoir in essays due out this spring, she continues her exploration of pop culture while also examining grief, loss and intergenerational conflict.

This year’s authors have earned numerous accolades for their debut novels. This event was programmed and will be hosted by Megan Cole, Director of Programming and Communications for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes.

Vancouver-based Shaena Lambert is the critically acclaimed author of four books of fiction. Her latest novel, Petra, was inspired by the life of Petra Kelly, founder of the German Green Party and leader of the anti-nuclear movement of 1980s Europe.

For our closing event, The Festival is pleased to present award-winning folk collective The Fugitives. Known for their high energy music, the band has hosted sold out shows while touring North America, the UK and Europe.