Past authors have included Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Maeve Binchy, Peter Carey, Roddy Doyle, Timothy Findley, John Irving, P. D. James, Thomas Keneally, Andrea Levy, Frank McCourt, Rohinton Mistry, David Mitchell, Alice Munro, Michael Ondaatje, J. K. Rowling, Salman Rushdie and Carol Shields.

[1] The programming of the Vancouver Writers Fest aims to promote literacy on both a local and international level; to support and encourage British Columbia and Canadian writers in their vocation; to showcase a variety of international works of literature; and to educate a wide range of communities and age groups in literacy and the written arts.

Past authors who have participated include Yann Martel, Bernard Schlink, Joyce Carol Oates and William Gibson.

[8] Esi Edugyan Johanna Skibsrud Linden MacIntyre Joseph Boyden Elizabeth Hay Vincent Lam David Bergen Alice Munro M.G.

Kelly Alice Munro Margaret Atwood Josef Skvorecky Leon Rooke Mavis Gallant George Bowering Jack Hodgins Timothy Findley 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008,1990 2007, 2000, 1992 2006 2005 2004 2001 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1991 1989 1988 1987 1986, 1978 1985 1984 1983 1981 1980, 1969 1979 1977[10] Andrew Westoll Charles Foran Richard Gwyn Rudy Wiebe J.B. MacKinnon Charles Montgomery Isabel Huggan Carol Shields Wayne Johnston 2012 2011 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2000[11] Patrick deWitt Emma Donoghue Annabel Lyon Lawrence Hill Kenneth J. Harvey Joseph Boyden Alice Munro Kevin Patterson Paulette Jiles Helen Humphreys Greg Hollingshead Austin Clarke 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2000 1998 1997[12] Julian Barnes 2011 Howard Jacobson 2010 Kiran Desai 2006 Alan Hollinghurst 2004 Yann Martel 2002 Peter Carey 2001, 1988 Margaret Atwood 2000 Ian McEwan 1998 Roddy Doyle 1993 Michael Ondaatje 1992 A S Byatt 1990 Thomas Keneally 1982 Salman Rushdie 1981 2011 2010 2006 2004 2002 2001, 1988 2000 1998 1993 1992 1990 1982 1981[13] Elizabeth Strout Junot Díaz Michael Chabon Richard Ford Carol Shields Jane Smiley 2009 2008 2001 1996 1995 1992[14] Colum McCann Rawi Hage Colm Toibin Alistair MacLeod Andrew Miller David Malouf 2011 2008 2006 2001 1999 1996[15] Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Andrea Levy Kate Grenville Linda Grant Carol Shields Anne Michaels 2007 2004 2001 2000 1998 1997[16] The Vancouver Writers Fest is based in Granville Island, a venue that adds to the overall experience of the October festival.