Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival

A day early for my Weekly Heads Up on the Arts Scene, but I wanted you to be able to get your tickets! The Vancouver International Writers and Readers Festival (wow that's a mouthful!) kicked off last night with several different readings covering ground from politics to science fiction. The "Grand Opening" event is this evening, with Alan Hollinghurst, Thomas King, Shani Mootoo, Kate Mosse, Jane Uruqhart and Tim Winton. I was devastated to realize that Ali Smith will not be reading, because I LOVE her, but I'm sure Kate Mosse will make a fine replacement.

The festival continues on every day into the evening until Sunday and will feature such literary greats as Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro, Evelyn Lau, and many others. Vikram Seth will also be here as an afterword event on November 4th. Authors are grouped together by a variety of common interests. A number of the sessions are conducted in French.

I'm stoked because I signed up to volunteer this year, so that means I will be going to at least one event every day, and probably maxing out my credit cards at the bookstore. I will keep you posted.

Tickets are at tickermaster.ca.

Photo is of local writer William Gibson, courtesy of the Festival.