Mark your calendars – BC literary organizations are hosting more than a dozen festivals in 2023. Whether you attend an in-person gathering or an online event, BC’s literary festivals offer the opportunity to hone your craft, get inspired, meet some of your favourite authors, and/or network with other readers and writers.
As part of our Festival Hospitality program, the FBCW will be in attendance at many of these events. Hope to see you there!
Note: While we believe that the listings in this blog may be of interest to FBCW members and the general writing community, with the exception of our own BC Writers Summit, the Federation of BC Writers is not directly affiliated with any of the following organisations or groups.
Submit your event or call-out to our next blog post here, or contact Rachel at rachel@bcwriters.ca.
North Island Writers Conference
January 20-22, 2023
North Island College, Courtenay Campus, Courtenay, BC
https://cvwriterssociety.ca/conference/
Co-hosted by the Comox Valley Writers Society and North Island College
Jewish Book Festival
Feb 11-16, 2023
Jewish Community Centre, Vancouver, BC
https://www.jccgv.com/jewish-book-festival/
The Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival attracts a varied audience of over 5,000 people of all ages, and brings together prominent and emerging Jewish writers and non-Jewish writers on Jewish subject matter.
Unbound Poetry Festival
April 15, 2023
North Delta Centre for the Arts, Delta, BC
A one-day poetry festival, featuring workshops, panels, readings, hands-on activities, a film screening room, Poetry Slam competition, food trucks and much more.
Contact: deltaliteraryartssociety@gmail.com
Sidney LitFest
April 20-22, 2023
Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney, BC
https://www.sidneyliteraryfestival.ca/
A celebration of readers, writers and the written word.
Verses Festival of Words: Alternative Literary Arts Festival
April 20 – 29, 2023
Vancouver (various venues) and online via Zoom
https://www.vancouverpoetryhouse.com/events/
Canada’s largest alternative literary arts festival, Verses Festival of Words offers up dynamic programming celebrating a broad definition of literary arts, including spoken word poetry, storytelling, page-based poetry, singer-songwriters, improvisers, and more, as activism and art take centre stage.
North Shore Writers Festival
April 27-29, 2023
https://northshorewritersfestival.com/
The North Shore Writers Festival is presented in partnership by North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library and brings Canadian authors and readers together to celebrate Canadian literature.
Port Coquitlam May Days Readers & Writers Festival
May 6, 2023 10 AM – 5 PM
Port Coquitlam Community Centre
https://www.tri-citywordsmiths.ca/
This one-day festival features workshops, blue pencil sessions, a book fair, live readings and an open mic, and writing activities.
Contact: tri.city.wordsmiths@gmail.com
LiterASIAN Festival
May 6-7 (additional events through May)
Vancouver, BC (see below)
2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act in Canada, and this year’s festival theme is Inclusion. Readings, panels, and author events take place at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Floata Seafood Restaurant, Chinatown Storytelling Centre’s Foo Hung Curios, Centre A, and the h
