York University’s Canadian Writers in Person (CWIP) Lecture Series is set to mark its 25th anniversary this fall, with its 2024-25 season kicking off on Sept. 17. This year, the series features 11 up-and-coming authors who have received recent literary recognitions. They will read from and discuss their published works and offer attendees a glimpse into their creative process and inspiration.
Canadian Writers in Person is a for-credit course for students, but the associated lecture series is free and open to all members of the York U community and the public who are not enrolled in the course, providing a platform for literary enthusiasts to meet, listen to and interact with talented writers while celebrating diverse Canadian literature.
“This course has been invaluable to me,” said Jeffery Couto, a student in the 2023-24 CWIP course, of his experience with the programming. “The diversity highlighted … and the focus on short-story structure has ignited my creative spark. It has truly been an enriching experience.”
This year’s lineup includes esteemed authors who have left an indelible mark on the Canadian literary scene. Notably, Sarah Bernstein, the winner of last year’s prestigious Scotiabank Giller Prize, will be the featured guest on Dec. 3.
In addition to celebrating established writers, the series will also introduce a new initiative this year – the CWIP Leslie Sanders Prize. This prize, named in honour of retired Professor Leslie Sanders, who helped establish CWIP, will recognize individuals who embody a similar commitment to fostering a love of literature and supporting emerging writers.
“The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies advancement team is excited to announce the establishment of the CWIP Leslie Sanders Prize,” said Gail Vanstone, associate professor in the Department of Humanities. “The prize will be awarded annually to the student who has shown the most improvement in the CWIP course, in honour of Leslie’s outstanding commitment to the course and to accessible education.”
Over the years, the CWIP Lecture Series has grown exponentially in popularity, with the class size expanding to accommodate the increasing interest. Starting with an enrolment cap of 60, the series now welcomes up to 150 students, exemplifying the enduring appeal and relevance of the course.
The series serves as a valuable platform for emerging writers to showcase their work, connect with readers and gain valuable insights from established literary professionals. Copies of all books featured in the series can be found at the York University Bookstore or at local booksellers, allowing audience members to further explore the writers’ works.
The readings scheduled in this series are as follows:
2024
Sept. 17 – Anuja Varghese, Chrysalis
Oct. 1 – Billy-Ray Belcourt, Coexistence
Oct. 22 – Hannah Green, Xanax Cowboy
Nov. 5 – Sylvia Hamilton, Tender
Nov. 19 – Jamaluddin Aram, Nothing Good Happens in Wazirabad on Wednesday
Dec. 3 – Sarah Bernstein, Study for Obedience
2025
Jan. 14 – Kevin Chong, The Double Life of Benson Yu
Jan. 28 – Shashi Bhat, Death by a Thousand Cuts
Feb. 11 – Alicia Elliott, And Then She Fell
March 4 – Amy Ching-Yan Lam, Baby Book
March 18 – Dionne Irving, The Islands
Canadian Writers in Person is a course offered in the Arts, Materials & Popular Cultures stream in the Department of Humanities in York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
For more information, visit the Canadian Writers in Person Lecture Series web page or email Professor Gail Vanstone, program co-ordinator, at gailv@yorku.ca.
Originally published in YFile.