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‘Radio Discord’: Book Launch with Gregor Craigie

Tuesday, December 1, 2026

Upstart & Crow Studio

Description

Join us on Tuesday, Dec. 1 to celebrate the launch of Gregor Craigie’s new novel, Radio Discord. Craigie will be in conversation with novelist Iona Whishaw. This event is free, but please RSVP here. as capacity is limited.

Two days before Christmas, CIFU Radio’s news director Malcolm McDonald is called in early to work. Under pressure from the conservative station owner George Caulfeild, Malcolm reluctantly fires CIFU’s star morning show host, Stephen Millburn, whose only fault — if it can be called that — is going against Caulfeild’s orders not to report on a shady scheme to pay homeless people to leave Victoria, B.C.

While Malcolm is wracked with guilt for not standing up for Stephen, he’s soon distracted by bigger worries, including his daughter’s health issues. He needs this job to support his family, but how can Malcolm strike a balance between a newsroom of clashing personalities and politics, Caulfeild’s short-sighted directives to cut down on expenses, and his own ideals of good and fair journalism?

From the world of Gregor Craigie’s Leacock Medal for Humour–longlisted novel Radio Jet Lag, Radio Discord explores another year of behind-the-mic chaos at a chronically underperforming private radio station in Victoria, featuring an uphill climb for ratings and ad dollars, an eclectic cast of news reporters, with lots of humour and heart.

Please note this event is at 6:30 p.m.! Due to a technical issue with Eventbrite, the time may display differently for you.

More about Upstart & Crow:

Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on Literature In Translation / Climate Solutions / Poetry / Civic Dialogue / Community & Skills Building … all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees. As part of disability justice and community care for the chronically ill, vulnerable and elderly, we ask that you refrain from attending if you feel sick.

Questions: hello[at]upstartandcrow.com.

More about the author:

Gregor Craigie has been a journalist for more than 25 years at the BBC World Service, CBC Radio, CBS Radio and Public Radio International. He has hosted On The Island on CBC Radio One since 2007. Craigie’s non-fiction book about Canada’s housing crisis, Our Crumbling Foundation, was a national bestseller and the winner of the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature. It was also a finalist for the Writers’ Trust Balsillie Prize for Public Policy, and was named a Globe and Mail Best Book. Craigie lives in Victoria with his wife and three sons.

About the moderator:

Iona Whishaw is a former educator and social worker whose mother and grandfather were both spies during their respective wars. She is the award-winning author of the Globe and Mail bestselling Lane Winslow Mystery series. She lives in Vancouver with her husband.

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