Day of Stories on the Lake - Author Panel, Generative Writing, and Story-Sharing Circle on Sunday, April 13th 1-6pm

Calling all writers! You are invited to an afternoon of writerly discussion, generative writing, and artistic community building in a welcoming space. Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho, the Deer Lake Writer-in-Residence for April 2025, will facilitate a stimulating, interactive afternoon for writers of all levels. The event will include a panel of authors on what makes for a sustainable writing practice, small group breakout discussions, generative writing in the garden (weather permitting), mingling time with snacks and music, and a story-sharing circle at the end.

The writing journey can feel long and lonely. Writers sometimes get stuck and need an external nudge to keep going. This event is specifically curated to help reinvigorate your writing practice. Leveraging on the shifting energy of spring, participants will cross-pollinate new ideas and strategies to support creative writing, meet fellow artists in the community, and write – all in a beautiful, inclusive space.

Generously sponsored by the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Deer Lake Artist-in-Residence program, this event is free, but registration is required,d and space is limited.

Registration

Celebrating 30 Years of Asian Canadian Literary Excellence with the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Celebrating 30 Years of Asian Canadian Literary Excellence with the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW)

Vancouver, BC – March 11, 2025 – The Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW) is proud to celebrate 30 years of championing and amplifying Asian Canadian literary voices. As a pioneering literary organization dedicated to fostering the talents of Asian Canadian writers, ACWW has been instrumental in shaping the national literary landscape, creating opportunities for diverse voices to be heard, and ensuring that Asian Canadian stories are represented in Canada’s literary canon.

To mark this milestone, ACWW will host a special celebratory event featuring readings, panel discussions, and performances from distinguished authors, emerging talents, and community leaders. This event will recognize the groundbreaking contributions of Asian Canadian writers and reflect on the past, present, and future of Asian Canadian literature.

“Asian Canadian literature has grown tremendously over the past three decades, and we are honoured to have played a role in nurturing and supporting writers who have made a significant impact,” said Allan Cho, Executive Director of ACWW. “This celebration is not just about looking back at our achievements but also about forging ahead to continue empowering writers and inspiring the next generation.”

Since its founding in 1995, ACWW has provided invaluable support to Asian Canadian writers through mentorship programs, literary awards, and publishing initiatives. Among its notable contributions is the creation of Ricepaper magazine, a platform dedicated to showcasing Asian Canadian literature, the LiterASIAN Writers Festival, and the ACWW Emerging Writer Award, which has spotlighted and supported many of today’s celebrated authors.

The 30th-anniversary celebration will occur in Chinatown during the LiterASIAN Festival, bringing together writers, publishers, academics, and enthusiasts. Highlights of the festival will include readings from award-winning authors, a discussion on the evolution of Asian Canadian literature, and a special tribute to the pioneers who paved the way for future generations.

This event will be open to the public, and all literature lovers are encouraged to attend.  Stay tuned for more information about dates and venues.

Editors’ Panel: Pitching to Magazines on March 25, 2025

 

Join the Federation of British Columbia Writers (FBCW) host Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho and panelists Allan Cho, Jessica Key, and Cadence Mandybura as we explore what it takes to pitch successfully to a magazine editor. What are editors looking for? How important are cover letters? How can writers make their pitches stand out positively? Why are submissions rejected?

There will be time for your questions as well.

Allan Cho is a dedicated editor, writer, and cultural advocate, best known for his role as the Editor-in-Chief of Ricepaper Magazine. This pioneering publication celebrates Asian Canadian literature, arts, and culture. With a passion for amplifying diverse voices, Allan has played a pivotal role in shaping the magazine into a vibrant platform for emerging and established writers, artists, and thinkers from the Asian diaspora. His editorial vision emphasizes storytelling as a means of bridging communities and fostering dialogue about identity, heritage, and belonging. In addition to his editorial work, Allan is an accomplished writer and researcher interested in the intersections of literature, history, and identity. He holds a Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) from the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he has also been involved in projects that explore the preservation and promotion of intercultural narratives.

Jessica Key is the Managing Editor of subTerrain Magazine, Publishing Associate at Anvil Press, and Senior Editor of the 3-Day Novel Contest. She has been with subTerrain for eight years. Before that, she worked with various BC-based literary magazines and small presses and was the Marketing Coordinator for the Iceland Writers Retreat. She graduated from Simon Fraser University’s Masters of Publishing Program and has a BFA in Creative Writing from VIU.

Cadence Mandybura has never veered far from her passion for telling stories and fixing apostrophes. She edited the FBCW’s WordWorks magazine from 2022–23 and helped launch their Roots to Branches anthology series. A graduate of the Writer’s Studio at Simon Fraser University, Cadence further honed her storytelling skills as the associate producer for the fiction anthology podcast The Truth and a first reader for Flash Fiction Online. She is grateful to live in Victoria on the land of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. CadenceMandybura.com

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Registration

TD Emerging Writer Mentorship Program

Do you know any emerging writers from equity-seeking groups?  Please tell them about the new TD Emerging Writer Mentorship Program

Participants will receive one-on-one mentorship beginning in June 2025
Have free access to a series of online workshops
Write a 550-1,000-word article for publication
Write a second article reflecting on their program experience
Receive a contract and fair market compensation for their articles
Have the opportunity to share their work with the larger community at a public online reading event

We are actively seeking participants from equity-seeking groups, which may include Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ folk, and persons with disabilities. Applicants should be at the beginning of their writing careers with little to no publication history, and live in BC or Yukon. Up to twenty participants will be accepted into the program.

Please email any questions to Rachel Muller at wordworks@bcwriters.ca.

Infusion, A Powerful Anthology Written by the Asian Diaspora to be Released in March 2025

TORONTO - Feb. 26, 2025 - Dark Helix Press is proud to announce the upcoming release of Infusion, an evocative anthology of short fiction and poetry delving into the rich and complex experiences of the Asian diaspora. Available in March 2025, this compelling collection offers a poignant and deeply personal exploration of immigration, loneliness, and the resilience among different generations.
Through a tapestry of narratives spanning from the quiet corners of rural communities to bustling cities, Infusion shines a light on the trials and triumphs of individuals navigating identity, belonging, and the pursuit of a better life. The anthology also captures the struggles of immigrants forging connections in unfamiliar places, confronting the isolation of being "the other," and discovering solace and strength in unexpected ways.  Editor Allan Cho says,

"Infusion is a landmark anthology showcasing the diverse voices of Asian Canadian writers and authors of Asian heritage from the global diaspora. Combining poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, this collection highlights the richness of Asian diasporic experiences—stories of migration, identity, resistance, and belonging. Featuring both emerging and established writers, Infusion is a testament to the evolving literary landscape of Asian Canadian writing, celebrating the power of storytelling to bridge cultures and challenge dominant narratives. It is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary Asian diasporic literature."

As cultures intersect and the world becomes more interconnected, Infusion is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit. These stories celebrate diversity, community, and the quest for connection and meaning.

Volume #4 of Ricepaper Magazine Books, Infusion continues the tradition of showcasing influential Asian literary works that resonate across generations. This anthology is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the depth and complexity of the Asian diaspora experience. Editors of the book include Allan Cho, JF Garrard, Sophie Munk and Phoebe An Lee.

List of writers within Infusion: Rachel Abelinde - Francis Chang - Jim Wong-Chu - Carla Crujido - Garry Engkent - Ling Ge - Marcel Goh - Elizabeth Han - Mihan Han - Riley-Grace Avelina Huggins - Katia Lo Innes - Amardeep Kaur - Hana Kim - James Kim - Amy Grace Lam - Wayne Mok - Sambriddhi Nepal - Victoria Sa - Donna Seto - Douglas Shimizu - Klaus Tan - Kenneth Tanemura - Justin Timbol - Saya Watanabe - Changming Yuan - Mary Zhu.

About the publisher

Dark Helix Press is dedicated to publishing diverse and thought-provoking works that challenge perspectives and celebrate underrepresented voices. With a focus on speculative fiction, cultural anthologies, and children's books, Dark Helix Press is committed to bringing unique and compelling stories to readers worldwide.

For more information visit: https://darkhelixpress.com/acww/infusion/

Chinatowns and Belonging in British Columbia

 

Join us for a special virtual program highlighting stories from the 2024 winter issue of the British Columbia History Magazine.

The British Columbia Historical Federation’s quarterly magazine chronicles British Columbia’s unique story through the words and images of community writers, public and academic historians, storykeepers, and more.

Featuring some contributing authors of this newest issue themed on Chinatowns and moderated by Aimee Greenaway, managing editor of the BC History Magazine, this panel discussion explores different facets of the vibrant histories of Chinatowns across the province.

Speakers:

• Imogene Lim, author of “Beyond Chinatown: The Chinese and English Phrase Book”
• Catherine Clement, author of “A Match Not Made in Heaven”
• Sarah Ling, author of “Canned Salmon and China Lily: Chinese and Indigenous relations in Small-town British Columbia”
• Andrew R. Sandfort-Marchese, author of “Not So Uncommon an Oath: The ‘Chicken Oath’ in BC Chinese Canadians’ Testimonies”
• Elwin Xie, author of “Sharing Stories of My Chinese Community”

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Location: Zoom [virtual-only event]
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.
Cost: Free

Register: Registration link here