Introduction to the Memoir, with C.E. Gatchalian

Discover the art of memoir writing in this engaging and introspective creative writing course. Designed for writers of all levels, this class will guide you through transforming personal experiences into compelling narratives. You will explore various techniques to express and elicit emotion, develop your voice, and create a vivid, concrete, memorable world. Through writing exercises, readings, and workshops, you will learn how to structure your memoir, handle sensitive topics, and connect with readers. By the end of the course, you will have a polished piece of memoir and the skills to continue your writing journey.

DATES: 8 Consecutive Saturdays–February 8, 2025 to March 29, 2025
1pm-3pm EST/10am-12pm PST
PRICE: $700 Cdn (taxes included)
Space is limited. PARTICIPATION IS BY INVITATION
To increase accessibility, a limited number of participants will be accepted on a sliding scale basis
Interested writers, please fill out this application form.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: January 10, 2025

Please feel free to send an email to memoirwritingwithceg@gmail.com if you have any questions.

ABOUT THE FACILITATOR

Born and raised on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tseil-Waututh peoples (“Vancouver”), now based in Tkaronto (“Toronto”), C.E. Gatchalian is a Filipinx queer neurodivergent author, editor and playwright. The author of six books and co-editor of three anthologies, he was the 2013 recipient of the Dayne Ogilvie Prize and is a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist. His memoir, Double Melancholy: Art, Beauty and the Making of a Brown Queer Man, was published in 2019 by Arsenal Pulp Press. In 2022 he was one of the recipients of the British Columbia Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Awards.

ACWW remembers Faye Leung

Longtime friend and supporter of ACWW, Faye Leung, passed away on November 1, 2024.  Often called the "Hat Lady" for her distinctive hats, Faye was a Canadian businesswoman and community leader known for her substantial contributions to Vancouver’s Chinatown and her involvement in one of British Columbia's most notable political scandals. Raised in the Chinese communities of Vancouver and Victoria, Leung built her career in real estate and finance, becoming a notable figure in Vancouver’s development through projects that benefited both local communities and large developers.

She and her husband, Dean Leung, played a role in the preservation of Chinatown by opposing a freeway project that would have destroyed the area. Her advocacy helped protect and shape Chinatown’s future, while her business dealings contributed to Vancouver’s transformation in the post-WWII era, including developments that shifted the city’s skyline from low-rise to high-rise buildings​

Leung is also remembered for her role in the "Fantasy Gardens" scandal, which ultimately led to the resignation of British Columbia’s then-premier, Bill Vander Zalm, in the early 1990s. Her biography, It Ain’t Over Until Faye Leung the Hat Lady Sings, captures her dynamic personality, influence on Vancouver’s real estate landscape, and impact on Canadian society as a vibrant, outspoken woman in business and politics.

Back Where I Came From: On Culture, Identity, and Home Edited by Taslim Jaffer and Omar Mouallem Book Launch at Notional Space on November 21, 7pm

 

In this collection of personal essays, twenty-six writers from across North America share journeys back to their motherlands as visitors. Set against mountainous terrain, tropical beaches, bustling cities, and remote villages, these narratives weave socio-political commentary with writers’ reflections on who they are, where they belong, and what “home” means to them.

The result is a vulnerable, humorous, and insightful exploration of meanings and contradictions, beginning a conversation waiting to be had by the growing population of first- and second-generation Canadians and Americans, who will find themselves within these pages. Navigating the intricacies of hyphenated identities with nuanced stories of heritage and a redefined sense of home, the essays in Back Where I Came From: On Culture, Identity, and Home open a door to places around the globe—and within ourselves.

With contributions by Omar El Akkad, Nadine Araksi, Ofelia Brooks, Esmeralda Cabral, June Chua, Seema Dhawan, Krista Eide, Eufemia Fantetti, Ayesha Habib, Christina Hoag, Mariam Ibrahim, Taslim Jaffer, Vesna Jaksic Lowe, Kathryn Gwun-Yeen Lennon, Omar Mouallem, Dimitri Nasrallah, Lishai Peel, Omar Reyes, Mahta Riazi, Steven Sandor, Angelo Santos, Alison Tedford Seaweed, Makda Teshome, Nhung N. Tran-Davies, Alexandra C. Yeboah, and Hannah Zalaa-Uul.

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Publication Date: November 19, 2024
214 pages
ISBN 9781771669177

Remembering Roy Miki: A Voice for Justice, a Poet for Generations

For many of us at Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW), Roy Miki was more than an influential figure; he was a mentor, a voice of wisdom, and a guiding light for generations of writers and thinkers. His poetry captured the delicate tension between personal and collective memory, especially in the face of historical injustices. In the years following his leadership in the Japanese Canadian Redress movement, Roy never stopped advocating for equity, using his voice to amplify those who were often unheard.

In the quiet strength of his words, Roy carved out a legacy that transcended the boundaries of literature and activism. His recent passing marks the end of a chapter in Canadian cultural history, but his impact will continue to echo in the hearts of those who knew his work.

Born in 1942 to Japanese Canadian parents, Miki’s early life was shaped by the scars of injustice. His family, like thousands of other Japanese Canadians, was displaced during World War II under the harsh policies of internment and dispossession. These formative experiences of systemic racism would fuel much of his life’s work, both as a poet and a staunch advocate for social justice.

Miki’s poetry often reflected his search for identity, belonging, and the painful legacy of the Japanese Canadian experience. His collection Surrender (2001) was awarded the Governor General's Literary Award, where his poetic voice expressed both resilience and vulnerability, confronting the silences of history while giving voice to those left in its wake. His language, spare yet deeply evocative, became a tool for healing, both personal and collective.

But Miki was more than a poet. He was a leading force in the Japanese Canadian redress movement, which culminated in the historic 1988 apology from the Canadian government for the wrongs committed during the internment. Miki’s activism demonstrated his belief that art and politics were intertwined, that the personal was always political, and that change could be driven by those willing to challenge the narratives of the powerful.

As a professor, Miki influenced generations of students at Simon Fraser University, where he encouraged critical thought and creative expression. His scholarly works, including critical essays on racism, identity, and Canadian cultural politics, remain essential readings for those seeking to understand Canada’s complex history of multiculturalism and exclusion.

In every aspect of his life, Miki sought to bridge gaps—between the past and the present, between marginalized communities and the broader society, between silence and expression. His passing is a profound loss, yet the body of work he leaves behind continues to remind us of the importance of memory, justice, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Roy's work remains a testament to the power of language to both inspire change and heal the wounds of history. Roy, thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice, to poetry, and to the people you fought so fiercely to uplift.

2024 Jim-Wong Chu Emerging Writers Award for Fiction

The Asian Canadian Writers Workshop welcomes your submission to the 2024 Jim-Wong Chu Emerging Writers Award for genre: Fiction

The Award:
Created in 1999 as the Emerging Writers Award and renamed in 2017 to the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award in honour of Asian Canadian writing pioneer and mentor Jim Wong-Chu. The award continues Jim’s lifelong passion to discover and encourage writers to develop quality manuscripts and promote their work to established publishing houses.

The award's first recipient was Rita Wong for Monkeypuzzle, a book of poetry. In 2001, Madeleine Thien received the award for her short story collection, Simple Recipes, which attracted a two-book deal from publisher McClelland & Stewart.

The Jury is composed of members from the literary and academic community. The winning submission will be awarded a cash prize.

About us:

Founded in 1996 The Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop (ACWW) has developed and nurtured generations of Asian Canadian writers, a historically marginalized group in Canada whose stories were rarely documented. Today, ACWW operates Ricepaper Magazine serving a global audience and local community-building initiative programs such as LiterASIAN: A Festival of Asian Canadian Writing in Vancouver and Toronto, Canada.

Submission Guidelines:

• Writers are invited to submit an excerpt of an original manuscript for consideration for the award. Shortlisted entrants will be further invited to submit their full manuscripts. Details and deadlines are below.
• Must be Canadian with Pacific Rim Asian heritage.
• Must not have previously published a book-length manuscript in traditional or digital format (inc. theatre plays, cinematic screenplays, poetry, etc)
• Must not have been a previous applicant to this award.
• Submission must be of Fiction Genre and postmarked by September 30, 2024.
• The Winner will be announced during LiterASIAN 2025
• Please submit only an excerpt from the manuscript (maximum of 25 pages):

Instructions:

1) Complete and mail the award application along with a fee of $40 payable to Asian Canadian Writers Workshop (download application here)
2) Send your application form and literary piece as a digital copy to submissions@asiancanadianwriters.ca
3) Please send payment to: http://paypal.me/jwc2020

Or personal cheque to:

Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop
P.O. Box 74174
Centre Point Mall PO
Vancouver, BC
V5T 4E7

Previous winners:

Madeleine Thien
Rita Wong
Philip Huynh
Catherine Hernandez
Karla Comanda
Jamie Liew
Jinwoo Park

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For queries and media please contact director@asiancanadianwriters.ca

“Echoes of Exclusion” Poetry Contest 2024 Submission Form

 

Poetry can provide a window into the past, allowing us to connect to past generations' emotions, experiences and memories, thereby bringing history to life.

A poem published by the Vancouver Baak Yeung Lau Bookstore in 1923 demonstrates the power of poetry in protesting social injustice. Written by a person whose name has now been lost to time and titled “Never Forget July 1”, the following poem includes stark references to the Chinese Exclusion Act and the effects it wrought on the community*:

The heart-rendering July 1
marks our subjection to the Act
to the stifling escalating fear
like a lamb to the slaughter

The sufferings under the Cruel 43 are irreparable
are our embodied memories
our roots of hope
to end the white peril
to end the shame
to become avengers of the oppressed people

*English translation by Yao Sweden Xiao.

In commemoration of the Chinese Canadian Museum’s inaugural feature exhibition, The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, we invite you to join in remembering this somber period of Chinese Canadian history, over one hundred years later, through the medium of poetry. Open to poets of all ability levels and with a grand prize of publication in curator Catherine Clement’s forthcoming exhibition book on The Paper Trail, don’t miss this chance to further understanding of the Chinese Exclusion Act and its legacy for future generations.

Contest Rules

THEME

Poems must relate meaningfully to the Chinese Exclusion Act (Chinese Immigration Act, 1923) and contribute to understanding its legacy through the Act's effects and/or impacts, as historically or contemporarily interpreted.

ELIGIBILITY

This contest is open to poets of all skill levels. Entries by individuals who have never published a work of poetry before are especially encouraged.

Poems must be original, unpublished work that is not submitted for publication elsewhere during the contest.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

Youth (grade 12 or under)
Adult (over 18 or graduated from high school)
Senior (65 and over)

SUBMISSION PERIOD

Poems must be submitted between September 15 - October 15, 2024, 11:59 P.M. PST.

SUBMISSION RULES

By participating in this contest, participants consent to having their poem and name published by the Chinese Canadian Museum and its organizers, should their entry be shortlisted.

Submissions are limited to two poems per person. Please submit a separate form for each poem.

Submissions must not include the author’s name or any other identifying information in the poem file or file name. Submissions will be blind judged and must remain anonymous for a fair evaluation.

No revisions or changes may be made to an entry once it has been submitted. Please carefully proofread and double-check your entry before you submit.

SUBMISSION FORMATTING

Entries in English and/or Chinese are accepted

Entry length

Word limit: up to 250 words per poem (less is fine)

Spoken word: up to 2 minutes

Digital submission format must be typed, Times New Roman, and 12pt font. Spoken word submissions must include an accompanying text document.

Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .mp3, .mp4, and/or .m4a.

Mail-in submissions must be accompanied by a printed submission form and received by the contest deadline. Entries received after the submission deadline closes on October 15, 2024, 11:59 P.M. PST will not be considered.

Submissions must be mailed to the following address:
Chinese Canadian Museum
51 E Pender St
Vancouver, BC V6A 1S9

JUDGING CRITERIA

Poems will be judged based on the following criteria:

Conveys an understanding of the impact of the Chinese Exclusion Act

Skillful and effective use of imagery, language, and metaphor

Absence of cliches

Submissions will be blind judged. Each submission will be assigned a reference number to match it to its author after judging is completed.

RESULTS

Winners will be announced by the end of October 2024.

AWARDS

Grand prize (1 per category): $300 cash prize and publication in The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act exhibition book. Winners will also receive a copy of The Paper Trail exhibition book once it becomes available.

Runner up (6 total): $100 cash prize and a copy of A Song for the Paper Children by Christopher Tse.

All winners will receive an annual pass membership to the Chinese Canadian Museum.

ADJUDICATION PANEL

• Catherine Clement - creator and curator of The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act
• Fiona Tinwei Lam - Vancouver’s 6th Poet Laureate
• Yao Sweden Xiao - Chinese Canadian community researcher and lecturer at UBC

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Submissions open from September 15–October 15, 11:59 P.M. PST

Submit your poem here