Fraser Valley Writers Festival brings two days of readings, panels, and workshops to UFV

Writers and readers from across the region will converge at the University of the Fraser Valley next week for the 18th annual Fraser Valley Writers Festival, a two-day celebration of poetry, fiction, and creative expression.

The festival runs November 7 and 8 at UFV’s Abbotsford campus and will feature 12 acclaimed authors sharing their work through readings, panels, and workshops—all free to attend.

Things get started early with a Creative Writing Open Mic on November 6 at 4 p.m. in the Abbotsford Library’s Makerspace. Attendees can sip coffee and sample pastries while hearing original works from both established and emerging voices in a casual setting.

The main event begins Friday evening at 7 p.m., when authors Charles Demers and Evelyn Lau deliver keynote talks in the lecture theatre (room B101). UFV will also announce its 2026 writer-in-residence during the program.

Saturday’s schedule (November 8) runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., featuring a full day of panels and workshops hosted by Jen Sookfong Lee, Nick Thran, Brian Bartlett, Kayla Czaga, Daniela Elza, and local Fraser Valley writers Joseph Dandurand, Taryn Hubbard, Christina Myers, and Heather Ramsay.

Panels will explore new writing on the themes of silence and sound, followed by audience Q&As. Workshops will dive into poetry, fiction, and nonfiction craft. The day also includes a live recording of the Page Fright podcast, where host Andrew French will interview poet Nick Thran about his new collection, Existing Music.

Reflecting on the festival’s community spirit, Thran said, “Watching books change hands, hearing authors read, listening to exchanges between author and audience… these things remind me that the book is a living organism, and that our collective love (and need) for books is real.”

Presented by UFV’s College of Arts and Community Engagement, and supported by local bookseller Totally Bookish, the festival aims to strengthen the Fraser Valley’s creative community through shared storytelling and connection.

All events are free but seating is limited. Registration and full details are available on UFV’s website.