Word Vancouver Festival 2025
September 14th - 20th
UBC Robson Square, Sept 20th, 11am-5pm
2025 Official Booksellers
Pink Perambulating Piper Cycle Across Canada
The Pink Perambulating Piper is cycling across Canada (while holding down a job), unaided and all alone - except for his life-long imaginary friend Norman No-Mates.
This is Why Word Vancouver Matters
Michelle Cyca on why Word Vancouver is so important.
Kevin Spenst on why Word Vancouver is so important.
Kevin Chong on why Word Vancouver is so important.
A message from the Chief Executive Officer of Creative BC
On behalf of Creative BC, congratulations to Word Vancouver on this year’s festival!
Each edition of Word Vancouver highlights the vibrancy of British Columbia’s literary community, celebrating diverse voices, fresh ideas, and the written word in all its forms. Word Vancouver plays a vital role in connecting authors, readers, and industry, strengthening the cultural fabric of our province.
B.C. is home to thousands of authors and nearly 50 independent publishing companies, all at the heart of a broader network of more than 270 businesses that nurture and grow the province’s book culture and economy. Word Vancouver provides a crucial platform for this creative sector, offering visibility, opportunities, and meaningful conversations that spark both imagination and community.
To the festival organizers, participating authors, publishers, and the many volunteers who bring this event to life: thank you. Creative BC is proud to support and celebrate your contributions, and we look forward to the stories and connections that will continue to emerge from this year’s festival.
Prem Gill
CEO, Creative BC
A Message from Our Executive Director
Every year brings its own joys and challenges. The behind-the-scenes work may keep us busy, but it’s nothing compared to the excitement of bringing Word Vancouver to life. For me, this festival has always been about connection—seeing audiences and authors, publishers and writers, and friends old and new come together to share in the power of words.
People often ask me what my favourite event is, and I honestly can’t pick just one. Each has its own magic, and together they create something bigger than any single moment. That’s what makes this festival so special.
Word Vancouver belongs to all of us. Whether you’re here as a reader, writer, volunteer, published author, or someone simply curious about what we do—you are part of the energy that fills this festival every year. You remind us why words and voices matter, and why it’s so important to celebrate them together.
Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces and to share this festival with you.
Dr. Bonnie Nish
Executive Director, Word Vancouver
We’re thrilled to share that our executive director bonnie nish is this year’s recipient of the Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop Community Builders award.
From the ACWW:
This award is given to an individual or organization demonstrating commitment and devotion to racial equity and advocating inclusion for Asian Canadians and the literary community. Over the years, your work has contributed to Vancouver's literary community through your leadership roles and personal achievements. As the founder and Executive Director of Pandora's Collective Outreach Society, you have been instrumental in organizing ongoing literary events that also provide a platform for diverse and racialized writers. As Executive Director of Word Vancouver, you have guided the largest celebration of literacy and reading in Western Canada during one of the most difficult times of the organization’s history and brought in fresh voices, sincerity, and inclusivity in your selection of writers, always ensuring Asian Canadian writers are heard at the festival. During the darkest times of the pandemic, you provided friendship and support to community organizations such as ACWW and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy events.
You have significantly enriched Vancouver's literary landscape through your multifaceted roles, supporting emerging and established writers and fostering a vibrant community of literary enthusiasts. Over the years, ACWW has honoured individuals, community organizations, and educational institutions that have significantly contributed to the community. Past recipients of the ACWW Community Builders Awards include Roy Mah, Wayson Choy, Paul Yee, Harvey Lowe, Roy Miki, Fred Wah, The Bulletin (National Association of Japanese Canadians), Joy Kogawa, Scott McIntyre, Gim Wong, Evelyn Lau, Tradewind Books, and Brian Lam. Your tireless efforts and your dedication to our community is an inspiration to us all and very much exemplifies the spirit of this award.
