Trevor Carolan and Marlowe Ferris, with Evelyn Lau, reading at Christ Church Cathedral

 

ACWW Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award judge, professor emeritus, and poet Trevor Carolan and Marlowe Ferris, with Evelyn Lau, will be reading at Christ Church Cathedral, on Burrard & Georgia on Friday, April 25th, 7:30 pm. A free event at a time of national cultural awareness. 

Doors open at 7 pm. All ages. 

With financial assistance from the Canada Council through the Writers Union of Canada, and with the support of the Christ Church Cathedral community.

Book Launch: Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History Sunday, May 25

 

Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History will be out on May 1, 2025. There is more info on Donna's website (www.donnaseto.ca) in case you would like to purchase a copy or are are just curious. The book will be available wherever you want to buy it. It's already on the CBC Books list of non-fiction books to read!

Family Saturdays: Musical Folklore with Paul Yee on April 19, 2025

Join award-winning author Paul Yee for a lively reading of The Three Sisters, a beautifully illustrated book featuring artwork by Shaoli Wang. The story will come to life with enchanting melodies from the dizi, guzheng, and pipa - three traditional Chinese instruments featured in the book - performed live by the UBC Chinese Music Ensemble.

After the reading, explore these exquisite instruments up close, then craft your own miniature wooden pipa to take home!

Registration

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.

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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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