Rudy Wiebe, is a Canadian Mennonite writer and former member of the Board of Directors for NeWest Press. Wiebe was born on October 4, 1934 in Speedwell, Saskatchewan. He received his BA (1956) from the University of Alberta and Bachelor of Theology degree from the Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg (1962). While an editor of the Winnipeg Mennonite Brethren College Herald, he published his first novel Peace Shall Destroy Many. In 1967 he began teaching creative writing at the University of Alberta. He has published numerous articles, reviews, essays, anthologies, film and television scripts. Wiebe's novels include: First and Vital Candle (1966); Temptations of Big Bear (1973); and A Discovery of Strangers (1994). For his literary work, he received two Governor General Awards (1973, 1994) and the Order of Canada (2000). In 2007, Wiebe received the Charles Taylor Prize for his memoir of childhood titled: Of This Earth: A Mennonite Boyhood in the Boreal Forest.

During 1985-1997, Rudy Wiebe served on the Board of Directors for NeWest Publishing Company. He was a president and a chairman from 1991-1997. NeWest Press is one of the most important literary presses in Canada.