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February
Wordfest is thrilled to announce our first big show of 2023: Metis author and screenwriter Cherie Dimaline, whose new novel VenCo is a wickedly subversive, deliciously imaginative, deeply feminist novel of contemporary witches on the rise. The conversation, hosted by Calgary's extraordinary Joshua Whitehead, starts at 7:00 PM MT and includes an audience Q&A and book signing. Shelf Life Books will be on site with copies of books by both authors. READ MORE
Ashley Audrain shares the virtual stage with her close friend Nita Prose, author of The Maid – a whodunnit so sizzling the movie adaptation is already in the works starring Florence Pugh and everyone from the New York Times and Glamour to Good Morning America and NPR can’t stop raving.
Discover actor, activist, and OnlyFans star David Pevsner and his provocative new memoir Damn Shame: A Memoir of Desire, Defiance, and Show Tunes.
Imagine On Air’s Big Generous Brain presents groundbreaking magazine editor and journalist Danyel Smith and her new book, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women In Pop.
The Way We Tell Our Stories presents three writers whose books tell unique stories about resilience and resistance. BONUS extended interviews with Antonio Michael Downing, Lawrence Hill, and Toufah Jallow.
This is your chance to eavesdrop on Colm Tóibín in conversation with the Rt. Honourable Adrienne Clarkson as these literary friends kick of the Superfan Showcase, a new PEN Canada & Wordfest series highlighting the deep appreciation and affection we have for our favourite authors.
Get to know the incomparable Heather O’Neill, celebrating her latest novel, When We Lost Our Heads, in this special episode of Imagine On Air’s Big Generous Brains series.
Wordfest & Indigo present singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright and her heartfelt, revelatory memoir, Stories I Might Regret Telling You.
Harley Rustad presents his fascinating new book, Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in The Himalayas. Later in the hour, he’s joined by Calgary’s Raksha Vasudevan, Rustad’s mentee in The Writers’ Trust 2022 mentorship program.
For this edition of Wordfest’s signature storytelling event, The Way We Stay Rooted presents three writers whose books take us to the heart of the forest. BONUS extended interviews with Lyndsie Bourgon, Cal Flyn, and David George Haskell.
Imagine on Air presents Jody Rosen and his new book, Two Wheels Good: The History and Mystery of the Bicycle. The hour-long conversation is hosted by writer and fellow bike enthusiast Tom Babin.
Wordfest’s Imagine On Air presents Ken Dryden in celebration of his highly anticipated new book The Series, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series.
Imagine On Air’s Big Generous Brain presents beloved novelist and Wordfest fan favourite Guy Gavriel Kay and his new book All the Seas of the World.
Experience an evening with acclaimed British novelist and screenwriter Ian McEwan, in conversation with Canadian journalist and award-winning author Ian Brown.
Now we’re cooking! Imagine on Air presents Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi with the second installment in their Ottolenghi Test Kitchen book series, Extra Good Things.
This is exactly the show our collective souls need now. Imagine on Air presents Karen Armstrong and her thought-provoking new book, Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond With the Natural World, recently named a Best Book of 2022 by The New Yorker.
Help Wordfest Create Warmth in the Cold
Thank you for helping us all come alive again through story and community. In 2022, online and in-person, Wordfest showcased more than 130 of the world’s most generous creators and thinkers, including life-changing experiences for underserved youth in Grades 5 to 12 featuring Lawrence Hill, David A. Robertson, Sarah Polley, Yann Martel, and Waubgeshig Rice. Your donations put books in classrooms and provided free access to all students.
Here’s just one of the thank-you notes we’ve received from the authors, audience members, and teachers who were part of the Wordfest experience in 2022:
As a newly published author, and as a first-time visitor to Calgary, I found the atmosphere at Wordfest truly singular and delightful and so, so warm. Numerous writers I’ve spoken with about their touring experience this year have expressed love for Wordfest, and I think you and your team have truly set a precedent for literary festivals in this country. I thank you for your care and ingenuity… You make this world a better place.”
This is why we do what we do. This is why we need your support to do even more in 2023. A donation to Wordfest’s Legacy Fund, at whatever level is meaningful to you, will enable us to continue to spark deep connection and curiosity in readers of all ages and backgrounds.
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