2024 Author’s Comments – Post Festival
“Absolutely wonderful – great atmosphere, loved the variety of authors from serious social issues to literary to light/popular. You’ve hit the golden mean! This festival is the perfect size, if it gets bigger it will be a little less personal. I was also very impressed with the number of offerings to people who wished to learn more about writing – that made is a true writers and readers fest. BRAVO! BRAVO! to the Volunteers and Organizers! Winery Dinner – THE BEST!” Iona Whishaw
“The Denman Island Writers and Readers Festival exceeds any expectation you may have of such an event. Treat it as an important and fun part of your summer vacation if you are anywhere near Denman Island as the festival unfolds. Yes – fun? There’s nothing stuffy about this nationally-recognized annual event. The food is great, the company extraordinary. You can get personal with authors, thinkers and people whose life histories are often no end of stories, in-and-of themselves. All this on an island offering up a culture and opportunities to challenge the imagination, and turn your summer vacation – or a weekend – into a truly memorable occasion.” Frank Tester
“Well, that was a ring-ding-daddy of a time! Extremely well-organized, welcoming, supportive and relentlessly hospitable. Loved it. …I think this is one of the unique qualities of the festival …. the chance to sit down over a meal and have a proper visit with people who aren’t fellow book writers, but who love books and read books. …Thanks to everyone who did a superlative job with all the arrangements and logistics. It’s not easy to do, but you sure made it look effortless.” Ian Ferguson
“Loved Denman, the culture, Des and Sandy’s garden, the Guesthouse Bistro, a walk to Boyle Point, and various Denman residents that he spoke with. The festival organization, written information in emails sent, and meals were all great.” Will Ferguson
Earlier Festival Authors
“Overall it was an amazing experience.You folks really know how to put on a great festival, and I would happily and enthusiastically recommend it to other writers and readers.Food was great.Billets were wonderful.Authors were incredible.Hospitality, perfection.” Seth Klein
“I was so impressed by this massive undertaking being entirely volunteer run. It’s a wonderful festival and I’m privileged to have been invited.” Tsering Yangzom Lama
“It really is an excellent festival, I’m so happy I got a chance to be part of it. I hope I can come back one day. Thanks for inviting me.” Omar El Akkad
“Any writer who gets the chance to go to the Denman Island Festival has won the lottery. It’s great fun, in a spectacular setting, among bright, welcoming people who make you feel right at home. You may never leave.” Doug Gibson
“I haven’t had a better time at any literary event … festival or otherwise.” Derek Lundy
“Warm, generous and well-organized community. I loved every minute.” Caroline Adderson
“I would love to come back again. I can’t speak too highly of the experience.” Anne Cameron
“I’ve never been to a festival anywhere that seemed to me happier, more successful or better run than the Denman Island festival.” Robert Bringhurst
“I have recommended the Denman festival warmly to readers and writers alike.” Jan Zwicky
“The best, just the best” Bill Richardson
“It was all great!” Bernice Friesen
“It’s one of the jewels in Canada’s literary festival crown.” Terry Fallis
“There is a natural intimacy to be found at the Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival. Readers, writers, booksellers, artists, artisans, and local residents mingle, indoors and out, sometimes informally over meals but most often at lively, well-planned sessions with guest writers. For off-islanders, there is the sense that the entire population of Denman is playing host to this popular series of events, usually involving the local with a mixture of the new, the famous, and the revered – some of whom have travelled long distances to be there. The many times I have attended it has never disappointed but has always surprised and rewarded.” Jack Hodgins
“Had an incredible weekend at the DIRWF with the most amazing authors and artists and an audience that was so wonderful! Thank you to all the wonderful organizers, the beautiful people of Denman Island and our host Trish who was so kind and great!” Hasan Namir
“Thank you so much to the entire organizing team for such a wonderful experience at the DIRWF. It was an absolute joy to be part of the weekend, to meet the other authors and participants and get to enjoy island life for a few days. You have built a wonderful festival that really makes visitors feel welcome and builds a beautiful sense of community. Thank you so much for inviting us (her and partner), we feel truly creatively uplifted and refreshed.” Missie Peters
“Thanks for having me at the festival. I had a blast and was totally blown away by the generosity of the organizers and the audiences!” Carleigh Baker
“We both had a great weekend on Denman, such a well-run festival and everyone so welcoming.” Ronald Wright & Deborah Campbell
“That was the most fun I’ve had at a festival. It was very mellow. I loved it and please don’t change a thing.” Andrew Struthers
“I was so impressed with this festival. Great line-up, great audiences, great welcome. This is one of the best literary festivals I’ve attended. I would be happy to encourage other writers to attend.” Charlotte Gray