Friday and Saturday
March 7-8, 2025

A group of people smiling and posing together indoors at a maritime-themed museum, with a boat and display cases in the background.

Two women stand smiling indoors by a wooden railing, both wearing brown dresses and denim jackets, with boats and nautical equipment displayed in the background.

Three women stand smiling in front of a wooden railing inside a maritime museum, with ship models, fishing nets, and nautical equipment displayed in the background.

A group of people sit facing a speaker at a podium in a well-lit room with wooden beams and large windows during an indoor event or meeting.

A large audience listens to two people having a discussion onstage in a wood-paneled room with large windows and exposed beams. The setting appears to be a public talk or interview.

A large audience sits in rows inside a wooden hall, attentively watching a person speak or perform at the front stage under bright ceiling lights.

A person sits on a chair on a small stage, speaking into a microphone. Audience members face the stage, listening attentively in a wood-paneled room with large windows behind the speaker.

A large group of people sit in rows of chairs inside a wooden hall, attentively watching a person speaking at the front under bright ceiling lights.

Two women sit on a stage having a conversation in front of a seated audience in a wooden-beamed room with large windows. Microphones and lamps are set up for the discussion.

A large audience sits in a wooden hall with exposed beams, watching a person speak at a podium under bright lights. The room is filled with people of varying ages, all facing the stage.

Two women stand side by side smiling indoors near a counter, with a man in a white shirt behind them. One wears checkered pants and glasses; the other wears a textured white top with dark pants.

A bartender in a white shirt and black tie pours a drink into a red cup at a bar, with wine bottles, glasses, and food nearby.

Stacks of round brown paper bowls with clear lids, filled with colorful appetizers including cherry tomatoes, crackers, cheese, and pickled onions, arranged on a white tablecloth.

Pink tulips in a vase sit on a table surrounded by small bowls filled with assorted desserts, including strawberries, herbs, and decorative elements.

A musician in black sings and plays guitar into a microphone on a small indoor stage. Several people in the background watch, chat, and hold drinks. The setting appears to be a casual indoor gathering.

A group of people stand indoors, eating and drinking, while a man in glasses plays guitar and sings at a microphone. Cups and food containers are visible; the mood appears relaxed and social.

A large group of people gathers indoors, serving themselves food from bowls on tables, engaging in conversation in a warmly lit event space.

Two people sit at a table signing books while a man in a tan jacket stands in front of them. Pamphlets, a glass, and a tote bag are on the table. Other people are in the background near nautical flags.

Two people sit and talk on a stage in a cozy room; one reads from a book while the other listens. Large windows, wooden beams, and lamps are visible in the background.

Two people sit facing each other on a stage in a cozy room; one holds an open book and reads aloud, while the other listens attentively. Microphones and small tables separate them.

Two people sit on a stage in armchairs, having a conversation. The room has exposed wooden beams, large windows, and warm lighting. One person holds a microphone while the other listens.

Two people sit facing each other on stage in armchairs, having a conversation. One holds a microphone, the other holds a notepad. The setting appears to be a cozy, wood-paneled room with large windows.

Two people sit on stage in armchairs, engaged in conversation. One reads from a book. The setting is indoors, with wooden beams and large windows in the background.

A person with tattoos speaks into a microphone while sitting in a chair on a stage, next to a lamp and table, in a room with wooden beams and windows.

A large audience sits in a wooden hall, facing a stage where two people are having a discussion. The room is well-lit with exposed beams and large windows.

Two people smile and pose together indoors by a glass door and a counter, with maroon curtains in the background. One wears a gray jacket; the other wears a yellow sweater and glasses.

Two women stand at a wooden podium labeled "Maritime Heritage Centre," speaking into a microphone in a room with wood paneling and beams.

A woman with gray hair, wearing a red top and black vest, speaks at a wooden podium on a small stage in a rustic room with exposed beams and large windows. People are seated and listening.

A person with gray hair, glasses, and a red long-sleeve top speaks at a wooden podium inside a building with wood beams. They are holding a book and wearing a black vest and pants.

A woman speaks at a podium in a wooden-beamed room, facing an audience seated on chairs. People listen attentively, some with gray hair, wearing jackets and sweaters. Large windows are in the background.

A woman with gray hair, glasses, and a red top speaks at a podium inside a wooden building. She stands on a small stage with a microphone, beside a window and a wall lamp.

A woman stands at a wooden podium, reading from papers. Four water bottles are on a small table beside her. Another person stands nearby. The setting appears to be indoors, at the Maritime Heritage Centre.

A woman with long dark hair speaks at a wooden podium indoors. Four water bottles sit on a small table beside her. The room has wooden beams, a window, and a wall lamp.

A person stands at a podium speaking to a seated audience in a wood-beamed room with large windows. The crowd listens attentively, facing the speaker at the front of the room.

A person stands at a podium reading from a book to an audience in a room with wooden beams and a large window. The audience is facing forward, listening attentively.

A woman stands at a wooden podium reading from a book in a room with wood beams. Three water bottles sit on a small table nearby. A window lets in natural light behind her.

A woman sits at a table with yellow tulips, signing a book for another person standing across from her at an indoor event.

A woman in a gray hoodie buys books from a vendor at a table covered with stacks of red books and crocheted items, inside a building with nautical decor.

A woman sits at a table signing a book for a standing person. The table has a white cloth, cup, and pen. The setting appears to be indoors with other people and large windows in the background.

A woman sits at a table signing a book for another woman who is leaning over. People stand in the background near a display with machinery and a ship's interior. A vase with yellow flowers is on the table.

A woman stands at a wooden podium, speaking into a microphone at the Maritime Heritage Centre. She gestures with her hands. Two water bottles are on a small table beside her.

A person speaks at a wooden podium on a small stage in a rustic room with exposed beams. An audience member sits in the foreground, facing the speaker.

A man wearing glasses and a blazer speaks at a wooden podium indoors, with a microphone, water bottle, and audience members visible.

A man in a suit reads from a book at a wooden podium with a microphone in a rustic room. A water bottle and mug are on the podium, and people are seated in front of him.

A man in a dark suit and glasses speaks at a wooden podium with a microphone, indoors near a window. A sign with trees is on the podium. The backs of people’s heads are visible in the foreground.

A group of older adults sit on a staircase indoors, eating and talking together. Some hold plates of food. There is a boat and other museum displays in the background.

A group of people gather inside a spacious, modern building with high ceilings, black railings, and large windows. Some stand on an upper level, while others are on stairs and the lower floor, engaging in conversation.

People gather and converse in a spacious, two-level indoor venue with large windows, staircases, and informational displays. Some stand in groups, while others walk or sit throughout the area.

A cloudy, overcast day by the water with parked cars in a lot, a few small buildings near the shore, and hills in the distance. Some greenery is visible in the foreground.

People gather in a spacious indoor venue with high ceilings, large windows, and exposed beams. Some stand near tables along a railing overlooking a lower level with stairs and display boards.

A group of people gathers inside a spacious building with high ceilings, near tables and displays. Large black beams, stairs, and glass railings are visible, with sunlight coming through the windows.

A large white boat labeled "B.C.P. 45" is displayed indoors on supports, with a small rowboat alongside it and various nautical items nearby. The space has high ceilings and windows in the background.

People seated in a room with wooden beams, watching a large screen showing a person speaking in front of bookshelves. Natural light comes through the windows.

A woman speaks at a podium in a wooden room while an audience listens; a man appears on a large screen via video call, sitting in front of bookshelves.

Audience seated in a wooden-beamed hall, listening to a woman speaking at the front; a large screen shows a person speaking via video call.

A large screen on a stage shows a man speaking on a video call, with bookshelves in the background. There is a podium and window nearby, and part of an audience member’s arm is visible in the foreground.

A TV screen displays book covers during a presentation on a stage in a wooden room with large windows. Nearby is a podium and a rolled-up carpet, with lake and tree views outside.

A group of people in a wood-beamed room watches a woman speak at a podium while a man appears on a large video screen beside her. Windows show trees and water outside.

A large group of people sit in a spacious wooden hall, attentively watching a speaker at a podium and a screen displaying another person speaking via video call.

A person speaks at a podium to an audience seated in a room with wooden beams, large windows, and natural light.

A man wearing glasses and a brown blazer speaks at a podium with a microphone. There are people with gray hair in the audience and a window behind him.

A person stands at a wooden podium, reading from a book in a room with wooden beams, windows, and a small audience.

A man stands on a stage behind a wooden podium, smiling and holding up two books, one in each hand, in a sunlit room with exposed beams and wooden walls.

A man in a brown blazer and jeans stands at a wooden podium, smiling and speaking in a rustic room with exposed beams.

A large group of people sit in rows of chairs facing a speaker at a podium in a wooden, high-ceilinged room with exposed beams and large windows.

An older woman stands at a podium labeled “Maritime Heritage Centre,” smiling as she speaks to an audience in a wood-paneled room.

A speaker stands at a podium addressing an audience seated in a room with wooden beams, large windows, and hanging lights. The crowd listens attentively.

An older woman with gray hair and glasses is speaking at a podium indoors, holding papers. She stands before a microphone, with a window and audience visible in the background.

A man stands at a wooden podium speaking to an audience in a room with dark walls and windows behind him. People with gray hair are seated and listening.

A man stands at a wooden podium, holding up two books while speaking to an audience. He wears a dark shirt and name tag. The image is taken from behind some seated people.

A man speaks at a wooden podium labeled "Maritime Heritage Centre," gesturing with one hand raised and the other on his chest. He stands indoors with exposed beams and a window in the background.

A man speaks at a podium to a seated audience in a room with large windows and wooden beams. A microphone and water bottle sit nearby. The scene overlooks water outside.

A speaker addresses an audience seated in a wooden hall with large windows and exposed beams. The room is filled with natural light and attendees are focused on the podium.

A large group of people sits facing a speaker at a podium in a wooden-beamed hall with large windows; the audience listens attentively.

A large audience sits in a wooden-beamed hall, attentively listening to a speaker at a podium in front of large windows. Bright ceiling lights illuminate the room.

People wait in line at a book signing event. Two authors sit at a table, signing books, while attendees stand and hold books, waiting for their turn. The setting is indoors with large windows in the background.

Two authors sit at a table signing books for attendees at an indoor event. Stacks of books and flowers are on the table, and a large boat is visible in the background. People stand in line to meet the authors.

Two people sit at a table signing books at an indoor event. One person writes in a book while the other prepares books for signing. A vase of yellow flowers and more books are on the table.

Two authors sit at a table signing books for attendees at an indoor event. One author is handing a signed book to a person, while the other is signing a book. Stacks of books and a vase of flowers are on the table.

A group of twelve adults smiles for a photo inside a maritime-themed museum, standing and kneeling in front of a boat display and nautical decor.

Seven people pose and smile together indoors near a boat display, with a net of buoys and maritime artifacts in the background. Most are casually dressed, standing side by side.

2025 Guest Authors

Poster for the 21st Annual Words on the Water Festival, March 7-8, 2025, at the Maritime Heritage Centre in Campbell River. The design features watercolor waves, fish, and event details.

Festival Program (opens in new tab)

Adam Shoalts

… is a professional adventurer and Westaway Explorer-in-Residence at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. His expeditions range from mapping rivers to archaeological projects, but Shoalts is best known for his long solo journeys, including crossing alone nearly 4,000 km of Canada’s Arctic.

Named one of the “greatest living explorers” by CBC and even declared “Canada’s Indiana Jones” by the Toronto Star, Shoalts’s latest adventure was a 3,400 km solo journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic, the subject of his new national bestselling book Where the Falcon Flies.(opens in new tab)

His other books include Alone Against the North(opens in new tab), A History of Canada in 10 Maps(opens in new tab), Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada’s Arctic(opens in new tab), and The Whisper on the Night Wind(opens in new tab), all of them national bestsellers. He has a PhD from McMaster University in history, and in his free time, enjoys long walks in the woods.

Celia Haig-Brown

… is the author of one of the first books on Indian Residential school written. Resistance and Renewal: Surviving the Indian Residential School (opens in new tab)won the 1988 Regional BC Book Prize. In 2022, following the recovery of the 215+ and with input from the original people involved, she published Tsqelmucwílc: KIRS, Resistance, and a Reckoning(opens in new tab).

A person of white, euro-ancestry, she credits Indigenous people across the continent for continuing the education her Campbell River family started. Author and editor of three other books, she is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, a former teacher and Professor Emerita/Senior Scholar at York University.

Also involved in filmmaking, she is currently in post-production for her fifth, a feature length documentary based in the lives of women involved in rodeo production. Celia spent 12 years in the rodeo business with her late ex-husband. Her next book is to be auto-ethnographic fiction based in the film interviews and her own experiences.

Photo credit: David Bruce Photography

Ian Ferguson

… won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour for Village of the Small Houses and is the co-author, with his brother, Will, of How to Be a Canadian, which was shortlisted for the Leacock Medal and won the CBA Libris Award for non-fiction.

He is the co-author, with Will Ferguson, of the bestselling Miranda Abbott Mysteries, I Only Read Murder(opens in new tab), Mystery in the Title(opens in new tab), and the upcoming Killer on the First Page, and has written several humour books, most notably The Survival Guide to British Columbia(opens in new tab). He has also written & directed for the theatre, radio, and film & television.

Jess Housty

… (‘Cúagilákv) is a parent, writer and grassroots activist with Heiltsuk and mixed settler ancestry. They serve their community as an herbalist and land-based educator alongside broader work in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors. They are inspired and guided by relationships with their homelands, their extended family and their non-human kin, and they are committed to raising their children in a similar framework of kinship and land love.

They reside and thrive in their unceded ancestral territory in the community of Bella Bella, BC.

Michael Christie

… is the author of the novel If I Fall, If I Die,(opens in new tab) which was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, the Kirkus Prize, was selected as a New York Times Editors’ Choice Pick, and was on numerous best-of 2015 lists. His linked collection of stories, The Beggar’s Garden(opens in new tab), was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize, shortlisted for the Writers’ Trust Prize for Fiction, and won the Vancouver Book Award. His essays and book reviews have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Globe & Mail.

Greenwood(opens in new tab), his most recent novel, was longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Rights have been sold in seven countries.

A former carpenter and homeless shelter worker, he lives with his two children in Victoria, British Columbia, the unceded territory of the Lkwungen speaking people, and the Songhees, Esquimalt, and WSÁNEC First Nations.

Photo credit: Submitted by Author

Scott Alexander Howard

… lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has a PhD in philosophy from the University of Toronto and was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard, where his work focused on the relationship between memory, emotion, and literature.

The Other Valley (opens in new tab)is his first novel. Connect with him at ScottAlexanderHoward.com(opens in new tab).

Shashi Bhat

… is the author of the story collection Death by a Thousand Cuts(opens in new tab), and the novels The Most Precious Substance on Earth(opens in new tab), and The Family Took Shape(opens in new tab).

Her fiction has received the Writers’ Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award for fiction, the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, the National Magazine Award for fiction, and the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award, and was longlisted for the Giller Prize.

Shashi’s work has appeared in such publications as Hazlitt, The Fiddlehead, The Malahat Review, Best Canadian Stories, and The Journey Prize Stories. She is the editor of EVENT magazine and teaches creative writing at Douglas College.

Susan Musgrave

.. has published more than 30 books and received awards in six categories — poetry, novels, non-fiction, food writing, editing and books for children. She lives on Haida Gwaii where she owns and manages Copper Beech House. Her most recent book is Exculpatory Lilies,(opens in new tab) which was a finalist for the Griffin Poetry Prize and the Governor General’s Award for Poetry, 2023. Hunger: the Poetry of Susan Musgrave(opens in new tab), edited by Micheline Maylor, will be published in 2025 by Wilfred Laurier University Press.

Her two biggest claims to fame are 1) the tyee salmon caught by her great-grandfather’s brother at Campbell River in the late 1800s. It is on display at the Campbell River Museum and finding her name in the index of Montreal’s Irish Mafia, by D’Arcy O’Connor.

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