Sam Wiebe talks about how The Last Exile and the Wakeland explore the past and present of Vancouver

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: In this episode, host Megan Cole talks to Sam Wiebe. Sam is the author of The Last Exile, published by Harbour Publishing, which is a finalist for the 2026 Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize. In their conversation, Sam talks about how he first became interested in crime novels and the stories of private detectives. He also talked about how mystery novels allow us to explore place and setting in ways other genres can't. For more about The Last Exile: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/project/the-last-exile/ To view the 2026 BC and Yukon Book Prizes shortlists: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/2026/04/14/announcing-the-2026-bc-and-yukon-book-prizes-shortlists/ ABOUT SAM WIEBE: Sam Wiebe is the author of the bestselling Ocean Drive (2024), as well as the Wakeland novels, one of the most authentic and acclaimed detective series in Canada, including Sunset and Jericho (2023) and The Last Exile (2025). His work has won the Crime Writers of Canada award, the Kobo Emerging Writers prize, and a silver medal from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, and been shortlisted for the Edgar, Hammett, Shamus and City of Vancouver book prizes. Wiebe lives in New Westminster, BC. ABOUT MEGAN COLE: Megan Cole is the Executive Director for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes. She is also a writer based on the territory of the Tla'amin Nation. Megan writes creative nonfiction and has had essays published in Chatelaine, This Magazine, The Puritan, Untethered, and more. She has her MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of King's College and is working her first book. Find out more about Megan at megancolewriter.com ABOUT THE PODCAST: Writing the Coast is recorded and produced on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. As a settler on these lands, Megan Cole finds opportunities to learn and listen to the stories from those whose land was stolen. Writing the Coast is a recorded series of conversations, readings, and insights into the work of the writers, illustrators, and creators whose books are nominated for the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. We'll also check in on people in the writing community who are supporting books, writers and readers every day. The podcast is produced and hosted by Megan Cole.