Madeleine Thien has been named Langara College's 2026 Writer in Residence, bringing her extensive experience and passion for mentorship to our community. She aims to inspire emerging writers while connecting with students through one-on-one consultations and public events.
Langara College is thrilled to welcome acclaimed author Madeleine Thien as our 2026 Writer in Residence (WiR). Her body of work is celebrated across Canada, and her long-standing commitment to mentorship makes this appointment a perfect fit for students who are building their writing skills and exploring creative careers.
Kathleen Oliver, Chair of the Department of English, says the enthusiasm on campus is already strong. “We’ve had an exceptional run of writers since we started the program in 2023.” Not only does this trend continue with Thien, but it also reflects the College's dedication to fostering literary talent. Oliver points to the influence of past Writers in Residence as well: “One comment we’ve heard from more than one author is that they appreciated the strong sense of community within Langara's English Department.”
Thien, whose connection to Vancouver runs deep, shares her personal motivations for joining the program: “I was drawn to the thought of coming home to Vancouver, the city where I grew up,” she explains. Langara also holds a personal place in her family history. The Matilda Thien Memorial Bursary, established in honour of her mother, continues to support students today. Thien says, “My mom passed away in 2002, and a year or so afterwards, my family endowed a bursary in her name at Langara.” This connection to community colleges further underscores her commitment to education and mentorship.
Mentorship is at the heart of the Writer in Residence program, and Thien sees it as vital for students who are balancing classes, work, and creative ambitions. “I think it’s always meaningful to have a listening ear,” she explains. Such opportunities are crucial for students who may struggle to find time for creative pursuits amidst their studies and jobs. Thien believes that “mentorships create this pocket of time where students can sit and talk with a person working in these fields.”
Reflecting on her own experiences with mentorship, Thien says, “They’ve been formative in my life... I find I’m mentored by people’s work and writing, by the things they make and offer to the world.” Her dedication to nurturing new talent is evident in her hope to be part of the Langara community, to learn, and to contribute to the development of emerging writers.
Looking ahead, Thien hopes to spend her WiR term absorbed in the creative spirit of the College.
There’s a new generation of emerging writers who will be publishing in the coming years... We really need their voices, and I hope that I can contribute in some small way to their flourishing.
As part of the program, students at Langara have the chance to engage directly with Thien, whether through one-on-one consultations or at public events where she will read, discuss her work, and share her insights on writing.
As we look forward to a spring term filled with creativity and literary exploration, the Langara community is eager to welcome Madeleine Thien. With her rich background, deep understanding of the writing process, and unwavering commitment to mentorship, she is set to make a lasting impact on both students and the broader community.
Madeleine Thien is the author of five books, including Do Not Say We Have Nothing, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and the Folio Prize, and won the Governor-General’s Literary Award for Fiction. Her most recent novel, The Book of Records, was named a book of the year by The New Yorker, Time, and others, and included in Barack Obama’s favourite books of 2025. Her novels have been translated into twenty-five languages, and her essays and stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, Times Literary Supplement, The New York Review of Books, and elsewhere. As a librettist, she created Chinatown, a full-length opera by Alice Ping Yee Ho and Paul Yee; and collaborates on a range of chamber works. She was a 2021-22 Cullman Fellow at the New York Public Library; and in 2024, received the Writers’ Trust of Canada Engel-Findley Award, honouring a writer in mid-career. Born in Vancouver, Madeleine lives in Montreal and teaches part-time at Brooklyn College at The City University of New York.
Madeleine Thien will hold a public reading event on Wednesday, March 18 at Langara College’s T Gallery. A reception with book sales and signings will follow. Stay tuned for more information about this event.
Thien will be available for consultation and creative writing mentorship with members of the Langara College community from mid-January to mid-March. Langara students, faculty, and employees will be able to sit down with Thien to discuss their work. Registration details to follow.
