writersfestival

Prepare yourselves, Denman Island residents, because the rumors are indeed true—Margaret Atwood is headed our way! Organized by the Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival (DIRWF) committee, we are thrilled to announce that the renowned author will grace our shores May 31st and June 1st 2024, for an unforgettable literary experience. As a token of appreciation … Read more

by Stewart Goodings Let’s go back to 1966 for a moment. The Governor General’s Medal for poetry goes to a young 27 year old from Toronto, Margaret Atwood. The Circle Game is her first book, and is a harbinger of what becomes a veritable flood of over 60 books, with her book of short stories … Read more

by Stewart Goodings With the Festival only three months away, we are very pleased to announce the details of this year’s Festival. It’s taken 9 months of planning and here are the results of the DIRWF committee’s work since last year’s event ended. First things first: mark July 18-21 on your calendars. That’s when Denman … Read more

Top Newfoundland authors coming to Denman Island by Stewart Goodings January 6, 2-4pm Two of Newfoundland’s most respected writers will be on Denman Island January 6: Michael Crummey, author of seven best-selling novels as well as six books of poetry, will present his new historical fiction “The Adversary”. He’ll be joined by his partner, Holly … Read more

Sunday November 5th, 2pm – Denman Hall Hello all R&W Festival supporters. This notice is to let you know about an upcoming event not linked to the festival but of interest to islanders generally. It’s a book launch for Des Kennedy’s new novel, Commune, along with a big screen slide show and fun commentary, looking-back … Read more

The Readers and Writers Festival is partnering with Concerts Denman to present a captivating evening of West Coast Stories and Songs at the Denman Island Community Hall on Saturday, October 21st. We are thrilled to present “Grant Lawrence and Friends,” featuring the illustrious Grant Lawrence, an award-winning author and renowned broadcaster with the CBC. Grant … Read more

by Stewart Goodings While they are still fresh, my memories of the 2023 version of the Denman Festival…from the opening by our Island Raconteur Des Kennedy to the closing panel discussion, also led by the same Des Kennedy, this year’s event was a constant delight, a true literary treat. These are my memories, but what … Read more

For several years, the Denman Festival’s five day intensive writing program has been attracting aspiring writers from all over BC and further afield.  The renowned authors who have led The Writing Week have included Jack Hodgins, Steven Galloway, Steven Price, and for the last four years, Caroline Adderson. This year, the Denman Festival is proud … Read more

One of the compliments over the years that so many of our audience members pay the Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival is that they actually get to meet the authors we invite to the Festival….. whether it’s over coffee, at a meal in the Back Hall, sitting on the grass in front of the … Read more