Celebrating its 20th year the North Shore Writers Festival comes to Lynn Valley April 5th and 6th.
Bringing writers together
The annual North Shore Writers Festival has both writers and libraries uniting for two days this April. Together North Vancouver District, North Vancouver City and West Vancouver Memorial Public Libraries are presenting the 20th anniversary edition of the festival. All the events are FREE thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the North Shore Libraries and there is even three hours FREE parking at Lynn Valley Village.
This year favourite events return like the 7th Annual Literary Trivia Quiz hosted by CBC’s Grant Lawrence on Friday night. From panel discussions to practical workshops Saturday is packed with something for all writers and readers.
2019 Schedule
7th Annual Literary Trivia Quiz Night hosted by CBC’s Grant Lawrence
Friday, April 5 | 7:30pm–9:30pm
Test your mental mettle and compete for prizes and glory! Register teams of 3-6 at [email protected]. Doors at 7pm. Cash bar. 19+. COMMUNITY ROOM
First Nations Welcoming Ceremony
Saturday, April 6 | 9:55am
Come early to get a seat, enjoy coffee, and attend the official festival opening. Doors open at 9:30am. COMMUNITY ROOM
Finding Your Audience: a North Shore Writers’ Association Workshop
Saturday, April 6 | 10:05am–11:30am
You’ve spent years honing your skills, months drafting, and weeks editing…all you need now is an audience! How do authors find their readers and how do readers find new authors? There are many paths to publication. Join Mahtab Narsimhan, Rod Baker and Wiley Ho as they share their successes and challenges getting their works out into the world. COMMUNITY ROOM
A Storyteller’s Journey with Monique Gray Smith
Saturday, April 6 | 11:45am–12:45pm
Award-winning Cree, Lakota and Scottish author Monique Gray Smith will share her personal journey as a celebrated YA and children’s storyteller. Monique will read from her latest release, Tilly and the Crazy Eights, an epic road trip with Indigenous Elders from Vancouver to Albuquerque for a Pow Wow.
COMMUNITY ROOM
Local Author Book Fair: A Showcase of Local Writers
Saturday, April 6 | 12:30pm–4:30pm
Explore local creativity and talent at the book fair! LYNN VALLEY VILLAGE HALL, outside the Community Room
Lunch Break Lounge & Writers Café
Saturday, April 6 | 12:45pm–1:45pm
Enjoy a free light lunch! Aspiring writers are invited to chat with Mahtab Narsimhan, Rod Baker and Wiley Ho to get the inside scoop on all things related to the writing life. Bring your questions and comments. LEARNING LAB
The Art of Narration with Erin Moon
Saturday, April 6 | 2:00pm–3:00pm
Award-winning Audiobook Narrator, Erin Moon, will discuss the art of becoming a narrator and the process involved in developing an audiobook. Erin will also explore the diverse ways that narrators capture the reader’s imagination and bring stories to life. Sponsored by Recorded Books. COMMUNITY ROOM
Writing the Personal: Lindsay Wong with JJ Lee
Saturday, April 6 | 3:15pm–4:15pm
In conversation with fellow memoirist JJ Lee, Vancouver-based Lindsay Wong chats about her darkly comedic memoir and Canada Reads finalist The Woo-Woo: How I Survived Ice Hockey, Drug Raids, Demons, and My Crazy Chinese Family. Lindsay outlines how she wrote this deeply personal, smart and funny book, while exploring themes of youth, parenting and mental illness. COMMUNITY ROOM
Strength and Resilience through Storytelling: Darrel McLeod with Alexander Dirksen
Saturday, April 6 | 4:30pm–5:30pm
Join Cree author Darrel McLeod in conversation with Program Director for Community Knowledge Exchange, Alexander Dirksen. Darrel discusses the powerful themes of love, family, resilience and identity within his 2018 Governor General award-winning memoir Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age, as well as the impact his book has had on its readers to date.
COMMUNITY ROOM
Writers + Readers Reception with JJ Lee
Saturday, April 6 | 5:15pm–7:00pm
Join us for music and refreshments while mingling with fellow festival-goers as we close out the 20th festival! Hear the winners of the North Shore Writers’ Association writing contest and a very special announcement from the North Shore libraries. LIBRARY LOBBY
