A Booker Prize finalist and a wunderkind: Ruth Ozeki and Genki Ferguson have so much in common, including a growing mutual admiration club (okay, Ferguson has been perpetually in awe of Ozeki, but she generously blurbed his debut novel as leaving one "breathless, charmed, and deeply thoughtful." What a joy it will be to eavesdrop on the intellectual and creative interaction between one of the world's most evocative storytellers and an emerging talent.

When they talk about the powerhouses of Canadian publishing – and trust us, people all over the world are talking about Canadian writers in 2021 – the names Jael Richardson and Katherena Vermette are being sung out loud and proud. Bracingly original, Gutter Child and The Strangers cut like knives through our preconceptions about race, belonging, and hope.

Imagine On Air presents veteran broadcast journalist Peter Mansbridge and his new memoir, Off the Record. You’ve welcomed him into your home for years. You’ve read his previous bestsellers. Now we invite you to discover more about the big generous brain of Peter Mansbridge. The one-hour conversation will start at 7:00 PM MT and will be hosted by Wordfest's Creative Ringleader Shelley Youngblut. (The pre-show will begin at 6:50 PM.)

We wait all year for Shelagh Rogers to grace our stage. How lucky – and truly blessed – we are to have her featured in an intimate hour-long conversation with her dear friend, Daniel Heath Justice. What will these remarkably warm facilitators talk about? Racoons, reconciliation, responsibility; our roots, our words, our actions. Don’t you feel thankful just knowing such a meeting of minds and hearts is available to us?

Wordfest’s Imagine On Air presents Marie Henein to celebrate the publication of her highly anticipated memoir Nothing But the Truth. Henein – arguably Canada's most sought-after lawyer –  has written an uncompromising book that is at once raw, beautiful, and altogether unforgettable. This refreshingly unconstrained conversation will delve into Henein's immigrant experience; the role models who shaped her; the ethics of criminal law; the pros and cons of being a household name in this country; and what it took to rise to the top in a male-dominated world. 

Wordfest’s Imagine On Air is honoured to present renowned playwright and novelist Tomson Highway and his highly anticipated memoir Permanent Astonishment. The hour-long conversation will start at 7:00 PM MT and will be hosted by Highway’s long-time friend and collaborator Eugene Stickland. (The pre-show will begin at 6:50 PM.)

Hungry for timely? Penetrating? Provocative? Cinematic? The prescient Claire Vaye Watkins and Zoe Whittall deliver all of the above in two of fall's most anticipated reads: fearless novels that deliver exhilarating gut punches. This pairing of North American powerhouses is a MUST see.

Wordfest's Imagine On Air presents #1 Canadian bestselling astronaut Chris Hadfield and his space-based thriller, The Apollo Murders. The one-hour live conversation, hosted by author and journalist Jim Brown, will start at 7:00 PM MT. (The pre-show will begin at 6:50 PM.) There will be an opportunity to ask questions and you can email them in advance to questions@wordfest.com. Tickets are $36 (plus tax) and include your ticket, a signed* copy of The Apollo Murders (*bookplates), and shipping in Canada. 

“Tutti a tavola a mangiare!”  Wordfest’s Imagine on Air presents beloved TV chef and bestselling cookbook author Lidia Bastianich with her newest cookbook Lidia’s a Pot, a Pan, and a Bowl. The one-hour conversation will start at 11:00 AM MT (just in time for lunch!), and will be hosted by food writer Julie Van Rosendaal. (The pre-show will begin at 10:50 AM MT.)

The stars have aligned! Ever since Torrey Peters took the publishing world by storm with her debut novel Detransition Baby, everyone from Brooklyn to Berlin has been waiting for her to be in conversation with Casey Plett, whose new collection of short stories is the long-awaited follow-up to her Lambda and Amazon First Novel Award-winning Little Fish. Plett, who is adored in her native Canada, also won the Firecracker Award, and if you’ve watched the trajectory of Peters’ career, you know that adjective applies to the American supernova too.

Imagine On Air presents the incomparable Jonathan Franzen with his highly anticipated new novel, Crossroads. The one-hour live show will be hosted by Shelley Youngblut, Wordfest’s CEO & Creative Ringleader, and airs at 7:00 PM MT. (The pre-show will begin at 6:50 PM.) Tickets are $40 (plus tax) and include your ticket, a copy of Crossroads, and shipping in Canada. 

Amitava Kumar’s many fans include the best living American writers, which made narrowing down who would have the honour of appearing with him very challenging. How marvelous then, that the equally charming and brilliant Jenny Offill is going to be his virtual stage mate. As much as we celebrate our homegrown talents, it’s a thrill to be able to bring you two of the finest minds and most expansive hearts creating south of the border.

An unexpected publishing hit about defiant, independent, kick-ass old women living their best lives. A joyful celebration of Japanese cultural traditions and body positivity for all ages. First-time graphic novelist Hiromi Goto and children’s author Kyo Maclear artfully avoid the cliches of subject matter and genre in their work and in conversation. This will be sublime.

Imagine On Air is thrilled to present Susan Orlean and her new collection of non-fiction stories, On Animals. You know her  from her work at The New Yorker and amazing backlist, including the sublime Library Book – not to mention her fabulously entertaining presence on Twitter. Now we invite you to go deeper: into the big generous brain of Susan Orlean.

Jesse Wente maintains that Reconciliation will never be a realistic path forward – storytelling in all its forms is one of Indigenous peoples’ best weapons in the fight to reclaim their rightful place. Drew Hayden Taylor called upon Indigenous writers, elders, and youth to envision a future that is jolting in the very best sense. Leave the clichés and settler comfort zones behind. Listen instead as these generous writers explore the bracing rethinks that fuel two of fall 2021's most anticipated memoirs and anthologies.

Well, this is going to be the most fun: Terry Fallis and Linden MacIntyre at the top of their game, in total control of their art, in the event their avid fans have been longing for. Two of Canada's most masterful – and beloved – storytellers on the same virtual stage, regaling us with tales of political tomfoolery, indomitable humanity, and sublime insights into the workings of our outer and inner worlds.

Why should the fiction writers have all the fun? 2021 marks the year of Louise Penny (okay, it’s always Louise Penny’s year), with publication of the 17th installment of the Inspector Gamache series and a thriller co-written with Hillary Clinton. And could there be a more perfectly unexpected stage mate for our beloved Louise than American chef Dorie Greenspan, whose delight in the kitchen is matched only by her ebullient persona? It’s the grand finale of 26@26, an unforgettable writerly feast.