2002 – 2011
2011
Guest Authors:
- Gurjinder Basran
- Terry Fallis
- Zsuzsi Gartner
- Trevor Herriot
- Susan Juby
- Daphne Marlatt
- Garry Thomas Morse
- Robert J. Wiersema
The festival was hosted by John Elson, who served as Master of Ceremonies.
2010
Guest Authors:
- Colin Angus
- Annabel Lyon
- Gabor Maté
- Susan Musgrave
- Kit Pearson
- Andreas Schroeder
- Harry Thurston
- Ronald Wright
The 2010 festival also featured John Elson as Master of Ceremonies, with musical performances by Sue Medley, the Carihi Jazz Ensemble, and The Wire Choir.
2009
Guest Authors:
- Marilyn Bowering
- Wayde Compton
- Marjorie Doyle
- John Gould
- Lorna Jackson
- Mary Novik
- Richard Van Camp
- Rex Weyler
In addition to their featured appearances, several writers took on special roles during the 2009 festival: Marilyn Bowering contributed the commissioned poem, Lorna Jackson served as the festival’s Writer in the Schools presenter, and Marjorie Doyle was the Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence. John Elson returned as Master of Ceremonies and also moderated one of the Friday evening panel discussions.
2008
Guest Authors:
- David Chariandy
- Ivan Coyote
- Anosh Irani
- Theresa Kishkan
- Ruth Ozeki
- Harold Rhenisch
- Eden Robinson
- Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
The festival also featured Brian Brett as the Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence and commissioned poet, Susan Stenson leading the writers’ workshop, and John Elson as Master of Ceremonies. Musical guests included Rodrigo, Amy Lelliott, and Jim Vining.
2007
Guest Authors:
- Bill Gaston
- Lorna Crozier
- Steven Galloway
- Don McKay
- Anne Simpson
- Russell Wangersky
- Richard Wagamese
- Fred Stenson
The festival also featured John Elson as Master of Ceremonies.
2006
Guest Authors:
- Robert Bringhurst
- David Carpenter
- Patrick Lane
- Claudia Casper
- Annabel Lyon
- Evelyn Lau
- Gregory Scofield
- Jan Zwicky
The festival also featured John Elson as Master of Ceremonies, with Paul Vasey participating in the Literary Cabaret and hosting CBC’s On the Island from the Maritime Heritage Centre. Musical guests included Uncle Harry’s Wire Choir, Alayna Howard, Gordon James, and Judy O’Dell.
2005
Guest Authors:
- Wayson Choy
- Mary-Ellen Lang Collura
- M.A.C. Farrant
- Bill Gaston
- Pauline Holdstock
- Aislinn Hunter
- Carol Neufeld
- Don McKay
- Pete Trower
- Richard Van Camp
- Irene Watts
2004
Guest Authors:
- Caroline Adderson
- William Deverell
- Steven Galloway
- John Gould
- Diane Swanson
- Madeleine Thien
- Spider Robinson
- Erin Skye Robinsong
The program also featured Sheryl MacKay and David Grierson as CBC hosts/moderators, and Rodrigo Figueroa as a musical guest.
2003
Guest Authors:
- Gail Anderson-Dargatz
- George Bowering
- Maria Coffey
- Dag Goering
- Zsuzsi Gartner
- Don McKay
- Jocelyn Reekie
- Timothy Taylor
- Jan Zwicky
In addition to their featured appearances, several writers took on special roles during the 2003 festival: Zsuzsi Gartner participated in the opening-night panel and led a fiction workshop, Don McKay led a poetry workshop, Jocelyn Reekie was featured in the Roderick Haig-Brown Memorial Evening, and George Bowering contributed the festival’s commissioned poem.
2002
Guest Authors:
- Ann Cameron
- Bill Richardson
- Stephen Hume
- Susan Mayse
- Howard White
- Gary Geddes
- Lorna Crozier
- Patrick Lane
In addition to their featured appearances, several writers took on special roles throughout the festival: Bill Richardson moderated the Friday evening panel, Stephen Hume and Susan Mayse presented the Roderick Haig-Brown Memorial Lecture, Gary Geddes led poetry workshops, and Patrick Lane contributed the commissioned poem Words on Water.