Look who we’ve hosted!

On May 22nd, you joined us for an intimate and extraordinary conversation with one of Canada’s most beloved writers. Internationally bestselling author Guy Gavriel Kay took you on a biographical journey, paying tribute to the exclusive whiskeys that have fuelled...Read More

On April 12th, award-winning author Yasuko Thanh joined us in conversation with Zsuzsi Gartner for a devastatingly frank exploration of how circumstances beyond our control — and the choices we then make — dictate the people we become.

On April 29th we hosted the tastiest live event of 2019. Calgary welcomed the legendary Ruth Reichl in celebration of her new memoir, Save Me the Plums.

On April 6, 2019, Urban Ink Forager Jason Logan and host Shelley Youngblut had a fascinating conversation about the ways we can all become city builders and environmental advocates through engaging with ink.

This was the perfect night out for fans of The Crown: best-selling author Jennifer Robson presented her new novel about one of the most famous dresses of the 20th Century — Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown — and the fascinating women...Read More

On March 25th, Wordfest presented Ann Hui, The Globe and Mail’s national food reporter. Part memoir, part history and part road trip, Ann’s book, Chop Suey Nation is the sweet and sour story of immigration told through the kitchens of...Read More

We partnered with Alberta Views magazine to bring you the ultimate Election Deep Dive series to better understand what an engaged electorate SHOULD be talking about during the 2019 Alberta election period. Our first event featured naturalist and writer, Kevin...Read More

Last September, Wordfest hosted best-selling suspense authors A.J. Finn ad Mary Kubica. As you can tell from the laughter, it was a marvellous conversation. With the recent publication of a New Yorker profile, the conversation with A.J. Finn (a.k.a. Dan Mallory) became even more memorable He was delightful, perhaps too delightful.

Last September, Wordfest hosted best-selling suspense authors A.J. Finn ad Mary Kubica. As you can tell from the laughter, it was a marvellous conversation. With the recent publication of a New Yorker profile, the conversation with A.J. Finn (a.k.a. Dan Mallory) became even more memorable He was delightful, perhaps too delightful.

Last September, Wordfest hosted best-selling suspense authors A.J. Finn ad Mary Kubica. As you can tell from the laughter, it was a marvellous conversation. With the recent publication of a New Yorker profile, the conversation with A.J. Finn (a.k.a. Dan Mallory) became even more memorable He was delightful, perhaps too delightful.

On November 21st, Susan Orlean presented "The Library Book" at the New Central Library. This event was free and included an on-stage reading and interview as well as a book signing after the event.

Actor, writer, director, comedian and Montreal Canadiens superfan Jay Baruchel was in Calgary on November 14th for one night only to present his laugh-out-loud memoir, Born Into It. Hosted by Doug Dirks, this event included an on-stage interview, followed by a book signing.

On November 8th, Eden Robinson presented her latest novel, Trickster Drift, the second book in her captivating Trickster trilogy that began with the 2017 Scotiabank Giller Prize-nominated Son of a Trickster. The event included a reading, an on-stage interview, audience Q&A, and a book signing.

On November 7th, we had a fun-filled and inspiring night for all ages. The event included a riveting conversation with Canadian astronaut Dave Williams about the art of exploration, discovery and what makes life worth living. The event included a reading, an on-stage interview and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing.

On September 20th, we discovered new poetry that is at once profound, original and lively, and so much fun! Hosted by Rosemary Griebel, this unforgettable evening with one of Canada's most celebrated poets included readings, an on-stage interview and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing.

We hosted the perfect night out for fans of mystery and suspense on September 18th. Audience members paired a glass of wine with mind-bending tales and confessions from the authors of two of this season's hottest thrillers coming out of the United States. This event included an on-stage interview and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing.

On June 26th, renowned Canadian social justice and feminist activist, writer, journalist, educator and speaker Judy Rebick came to Wordfest. Her new memoir, Heroes in My Head, is a fascinating, heartbreaking, but ultimately empowering story about the public and private battles that have shaped her life This event included an on-stage interview and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing.

On May 28th, Dr. Brian Goldman presented his latest book, The Power of Kindness, which searches out some of the most empathetic people alive, to hear their stories and learn their secrets. This event included an on-stage interview and audience Q&A, followed by a book signing.

George Saunders is an award-winning short story author and screenplay writer who recently released his first long-form novel set in the 1800's. At his exclusive Calgary Wordfest event on April 9, 2017, George Saunders presented his new book, "Lincoln in the Bardo," followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

Before a packed audience of 680 fans at the Bella Concert Hall, Robbie Robertson presented Testimony, his new memoir published by Penguin Random House about the band that changed music history, and his creative friendships with some of the greatest artists of the last half-century.

Comedy superstar Mike Myers came to Calgary for a special Wordfest launch of his book Canada, a hilarious and heartfelt new book that is part memoir, part history and pure entertainment, featuring photographs and Canadiana from his personal collection.

On May 16th, we launched 'Drifting Like a Metaphor,' edited by 2016-2018 Calgary Poet Laureate Micheline Maylor. The evening included performances by featured poets, followed by a Q&A and book signing. There were readings by Cobra Jo Collins, Tyler Engström, and Dale Lee Kwong. It was also a celebration of Calgary's newly appointed fourth Poet Laureate, Sheri-D Wilson. Complimentary tasty treats and beverages were served.

Tima Kurdi presented an intimate and poignant memoir about the family of Alan Kurdi — the young Syrian boy who became the global emblem for the desperate plight of millions of Syrian refugees — and of the many extraordinary journeys the Kurdis have taken, spanning countries and continents. Hosted by Amanda Lindhout, coauthor of A House in the Sky, this event included an on-stage interview, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

On November 25th, Wordfest, The Banff Centre’s Literary Arts program, and the Calgary Public Library launched the special issue of Granta, celebrating the diversity of social, political and literary life in Canada. Granta 141 is edited by Catherine Leroux and Madeleine Thien. The event featured conversations and readings from Madeleine Thien, Alex Leslie, Lisa Moore & Anakana Schofield. Included an audience Q&A. 75 minutes, followed by a book signing. Hosted by Zsuzsi Gartner

On November 19th astronaut Scott Kelly presented his stunning memoir about a record-breaking year aboard the International Space Station. Scott Kelly presented a candid account of his remarkable voyage, of the journeys off the planet that preceded it, and of his colorful formative years. An audience Q&A and book signing followed the event. Hosted by David Gray of the No. 1 rated CBC Eyeopener

On November 10th Nate Blakeslee presented The Wolf, the enthralling story of the rise and reign of O-Six, the celebrated Yellowstone world, and the people who loved or feared her. Before men ruled the earth, there were wolves. Once abundant in North America, these majestic creatures were hunted to near extinction in the lower 48 states by the 1920s. But in recent decades, conservationists have brought wolves back to the Rockies, igniting a battle over the very soul of the West

On October 17th rupi kaur, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller milk and honey (Simon & Schuster Canada), presented her long-awaited second collection of poetry, the sun and her flowers. Chapters Indigo is the official bookseller for this event

On December 6th, Tom Wilson presented his memoir with unflinching honesty and extraordinary compassion about his search for the truth. This is a story about scars, about the ones that hurt us, and the ones that make us who we are. Tom Wilson's Wordfest appearance was followed by an audience Q&A, book signing, and musical performance

On November 13th, bestselling author and Hall of Famer Ken Dryden presented the story of NHLer Steve Montador (who was diagnosed with CTE after his death in 2015), the remarkable evolution of hockey itself, and a passionate prescriptive to counter its greatest risk in the future: head injuries. An audience Q&A and book signing followed the event. Hosted by Marcello Di Cintio

Omar El Akkad is an award-winning Canadian journalist living in Portland Oregon. At his exclusive Calgary Wordfest event on May 24, 2017, Omar El Akkad presented his first published book, American War, followed by an on-stage interview, reading and book signing.

Wordfest presented the 2nd edition of Dick Lit's Trivia Night with host Richard Kemick and author Suzette Mayr. All trivia questions were loosely inspired by Mayr’s latest novel Dr. Edith Vane and the Hares of Crawley Hall.

Barbara Gowdy is an internationally acclaimed author of seven previous books, including Helpless, The Romantic, The White Bone, Mister Sandman, We So Seldom Look on Love and Falling Angels. At her exclusive Calgary Wordfest event on May 18, 2017, Barbara Gowdy presented her new book, Little Sister, followed by an on-stage interview, reading and book signing.

Kelly Oxford is an activist, author, blogger, screenwriter and more. She is using social media to normalize conversations about sexual assault and anxiety using platforms such as Twitter to engage millions of followers using hashtags like #notokay. At her exclusive Calgary Wordfest event on May 5, 2017, Kelly Oxford presented her new book, "When You Find Out the World is Against You: And Other Funny Memories about Awful Moments" followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.

Canadian actress, comedian and author Mary Walsh took on the John Dutton Theatre on May 2nd to talk about her new book, "Crying for the Moon." At her exclusive Calgary Wordfest event, Mary Walsh read a passage from her book, interviewed with comedian Cory Mack, took part in an audience Q&A, and signed her book for Wordfest patrons.

On April 21, 2017, Wordfest featured the Alberta Theatre Projects’ Playwrights Unit, Word Play takes you behind the scenes in the making of a new Canadian play. The event included the reading of excerpts from six new scripts in development and a conversation with the playwrights.

Powerhouse storytellers Emma Donoghue and Susin Nielsen appeared before an all-ages audience to present their new novels, each celebrating the love that binds together even the most extraordinary family configurations and unique friendships.