May
Guy Gavriel Kay: A Spirited Conversation
May 22 @ 7 PM $65
Memorial Park Library, 2nd Floor
1221 2 St SW
Join us for an intimate and extraordinary conversation with one of Canada's most beloved writers. internationally bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay will take you on a biographical journey, paying tribute to the exclusive whiskeys that have fuelled his creativity (provided by Calgary's whisky expert Curt Robinson of allthingswhisky.com). READ MORE
Join us for an evening with the internationally bestselling author of Tigana and The Lions of Al-Rassan, Guy Gavriel Kay as he presents his masterful new novel, A Brightness Long Ago. Set in the vivid world of early Renaissance Italy, the novel offers an extraordinary cast of characters whose lives come together through destiny, love, and ambition. CBC host Jennifer Keene will be doing the on-stage interview, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. READ MORE
Don't miss this afternoon with the Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning author of Fifteen Dogs. André Alexis' latest novel, Days by Moonlight, is a darkly comical exploration of the perpetual question: how do we know the things we know are real and what is real anyway? READ MORE
The self-proclaimed “Queen of Fibre” is coming and she’s going to help you get an A+ on your next Colonoscopy, phew! On May 28th media personality, bestselling author, and professional home economist Mairlyn Smith is presenting her new fibre infused cookbook, Peace, Love & Fibre. This event includes an on-stage interview with local celebrity Julie Van Rosendaal, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. READ MORE
A call to action and a much-needed book about why diplomacy matters now more than ever before.
May 28 @ 7 PM $20 - $25
DJD Dance Centre
111 12 Ave SE
Don’t miss this timely conversation featuring Bruce Heyman, the former U.S. ambassador to Canada, and his partner Vicki Heyman. This exclusive event includes an on-stage interview hosted by Maclean's Jason Markusoff followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. READ MORE
Come prepared to delve into French Exit, written by the New York Times bestselling author of The Sisters Brothers, Patrick deWitt. The book has been called, "An immaculate performance on ice, executed with sharp shining blades, lutzing and pirouetting above unknowable black depths" by Scotiabank Giller Prize Jury Citation READ MORE
June
Have you vowed to wean yourself off Netflix and get some serious reading done this spring – then have a great chat about what you’ve read with an equally engaged group of book lovers? Come prepared to delve into Bitter Orange, from the author of the Desmond Elliott Prize winning book, Our Endless Numbered Days, Claire Fuller. READ MORE
Don’t miss Naomi K. Lewis’s launch of Tiny Lights for Travellers. Vulnerable and funny, her much anticipated memoir explores Jewish identity, family, the Holocaust, and belonging. This event will feature an on-stage interview with host Samantha Warwick, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. READ MORE
July
Have you vowed to wean yourself off Netflix and get some serious reading done this spring – then have a great chat about what you’ve read with an equally engaged group of book lovers? Come prepared to delve into Nancy Jo Cullen's novel, The Western Alienation Merit Badge. The book has been called, "A queer prairie novel of my dreams – electric, funny, hot, heartbreaking, scathing, like a mix of Sarah Schulman and Chandra Mayor" by Casey Plett. This event is hosted by blogger and book reviewer Anne Logan of ivereadthis.com, and is part of Wordfest's monthly book club series on the top floor of Memorial Park Library. READ MORE
August
Have you vowed to wean yourself off Netflix and get some serious reading done this spring – then have a great chat about what you’ve read with an equally engaged group of book lovers? Come prepared to delve into Nazanine Hozar's debut novel, Aria. The book has been called, "A feminist odyssey, about a girl in a time of intolerance as the revolution in Iran is breaking out . . . a poised and dramatic historical novel with contemporary relevance" by John Irving. READ MORE
September
Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to see Margaret Atwood live at Calgary's Bella Concert Hall, as she presents The Testaments, the long-awaited sequel to 1985’s incendiary The Handmaid’s Tale. This event will include a reading and an on-stage interview. For the first time, we're offering pre-assigned seating—the best seats will go quickly, so don't wait to get your tickets. READ MORE
Subscribe for Email Updates
Wordfest will present more than 150 amazing experiences in 2019, with new authors and thinkers being booked all the time. Sign up for our newsletter — it’s the only way you won’t miss out on exciting announcements, special offers and some pretty swell surprises.
Photos of Past Events
Wordfest featured more than 170 events last year and is dreaming big for 2019. Visit our Flickr page for photos of past events.
View Festival Photos
Recaps of Past Events
Using a platform called Wakelet, we’ve collected all of the social media buzz, live-tweets, snapshots and live illustrations captured during Wordfest.
Recaps of Past Events
Youth & School Programming
Over 7,000+ young readers annually will experience the magic of interacting with inspirational writers, artists and thinkers in schools and in theatres.
Learn MoreBecome a Wordy Do-Gooder
A huge thank you to all of our supporters! Wordfest relies on government funding, sponsorships from corporations and foundations, volunteer support and charitable donations from individuals like you to ensure that we are able to continue our 23-year history of sparking live experiences for readers and writers. We invite you to consider donating to Wordfest this season as we plan for another year of igniting ideas and building community – one inspiring story at a time.
Supporters & Public Funders
Community Partners
