Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts

08/22/2026

The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts is pleased to announce that George M. Abbott is the winner of the inaugural Al and Eurithe Purdy BC Award for Excellence for his book Unceded: Understanding British Columbia’s Colonial Past and Why It Matters Now, published by UBC Press.

Abbott was announced as the winner at the opening of the 2026 Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts on Thursday, August 13, and was presented with the $5,000 award by jury member and author Kara Stanley. As the current Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission, George Abbott brings a rare insider’s perspective to Unceded, chronicling more than 150 years of BC-Indigenous relations and the failure to resolve Aboriginal title.

The three-title shortlist for the prize included One Arrow Left: The Memoir of Secwépemc Knowledge Keeper Cecilia DeRose, by Cecilia DeRose with Sage Birchwater (Caitlin Press), and Rufous and Calliope by Sarah Louise Butler (Douglas & McIntyre). Serving on the jury were Colleen Hourigan, retired educator and SCFWA board member; Brian Thomas Isaac, the award-winning author of All the Quiet Places and Bones of a Giant; and Kara Stanley, acclaimed author of Fallen and The Pain Project.

For more information, please visit www.writersfestival.ca


📸 George Abbott poses with Festival of the Written Arts Board Member Anna Comfort O'Keeffe. Photo credit: Howard White

08/22/2026

We're taking a well-deserved break, but don't forget about the other literary festival on the Sunshine Coast! The Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society hosts the 5th annual Art & Words Festival at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery from August 21-23. We send our best wishes to all the participants! 🎉📚

Come see, listen, experience and vote for your fav artist/author team and win a prize!

08/20/2026

That’s a wrap! We can’t believe it’s over 🥹Thank you to every one who attended the 44th annual Sunshine Coast Festival for the Written Arts! ♥️ The festival would not be what it is without your sincerest dedication in showing up, rain or shine, to support every author and artist who contributes to our beloved literary community.

We extend our thanks to every panellist, moderator, author, staff member, and volunteer who worked tirelessly to make every event possible and share their work. We hope you had more than a wonderful time celebrating BC arts and culture on the Sunshine Coast. See you next summer!

📸 Ken McCann

08/13/2026

The fun has officially started! We hope you are dressed for the weather and are ready for three days of immersion in the best of BC arts and culture on the Sunshine Coast. ☀️📚

If you ordered either a festival pass or day pass, please visit us at the festival box office when you first arrive on site to pick up a physical pass. It will be a huge time-saver when entering the pavilion for your events. No scanning needed!

We wish you a happy and safe festival experience! Don’t forget to us in all your posts at on Instagram and Facebook.

08/12/2026

A Saturday pass to the Festival of the Written Arts has just come available! Visit https://writersfestival.tickit.ca/ or call our box office to purchase.

08/09/2026

We were honoured to be featured in BCLiving this month, just in time for Festival week!

In downtown Sechelt, a gorgeous open-air wooden pavilion sets the scene for this year’s annual Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts, returning from August 13 to 16. 📖❤️⁠
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“We only feature Canadian writers,” says Marisa Alps, the festival’s artistic and executive director. “That’s always been our focus, from the very beginning,” she says. “We really want to amplify Canadian voices and make sure people understand the quality of Canadian writing that’s out there.”⁠
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Find out more: https://bcliving.ca/entertainment/arts/the-sunshine-coast-festival-of-the-written-arts-2026/
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✍️: Sheri Radford
📸: Keith Davidson

07/30/2026

07/25/2026

Immerse yourself in an itinerary of literary excellence, from gritty noir and true life stories to exquisite poetry that speaks to our times. We’ve planned the perfect weekend to discover new-to-you writers from across Canada.

Featured events:
📗 Event 2: Betty Baxter
📙 Event 9: Elee Kraljii Gardiner and bronwyn preece with Megan Cole
📕 Event 10: Alexis Stefanovich-Thomson and Sam Wiebe with Antonio Michael Downing
📘 Event 15: Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho and Iryn Tushabe with Megan Cole

07/22/2026

Two poets attuned to nature and language examine the forest, its role in our lives and our impact on it at this not-to-be-missed event. 🗓️ In sometimes, forest, Elee Kraljii Gardiner explores the woods as mirror, companion and adversary, while in hiking beyond, bronwyn preece charts a personal and courageous journey through external and internal landscapes shaped by movement and attention.

Elee and bronwyn will join the 44th Sunshine Coast Festival of Written Arts on August 15 at 11:30 a.m. Buy your tickets for this event and more on our website.

07/19/2026

Looking for a fun book event to attend? You can experience a few with us by booking this itinerary featuring Canadian trailblazers, authors, and thought leaders talking about their engaging work that will transform your perspective on people, nature, and the ever-changing world around us.

Featured events:
🗓️ Event 6: Donna Morrissey
🗓️ Event 8: Robert Moor
🗓️ Event 12: Christopher Gaze
🗓️Event 18: Monique Gray Smith