Asian Canadian Writers Workshop

30/06/2025

ACWW is proud to announce that the winner of the 2025 Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Award is Samantha Jade MacPherson for her manuscript PONY, with Chyx Xyng named as the runner-up for the manuscript Letter A.

Samantha MacPherson's "Pony" captivated the judges with its imaginative storytelling, emotional depth, and evocative exploration of identity and belonging. MacPherson’s ability to craft compelling characters and vivid settings makes PONY a standout work. Interspersed with vignettes of Pony’s deceased mother’s point of view, the stories follow her through childhood, adolescence, and early motherhood to cover pivotal moments in her life.

Chyx Xyng’s "Letter A" earned runner-up honours. With its innovative narrative and striking use of language, Xyng’s composite novel comprises seven interwoven stories that explore gender dysphoria, forbidden love, and the acceptance of difference.

The Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award was created to continue Jim Wong-Chu’s legacy of supporting emerging voices in the literary community. Jim’s impact on Vancouver’s literary and cultural scene was immeasurable, and this award honours his spirit of identity, creativity, and community-building.

Quote from the Award Committee
“We were deeply impressed by Samantha MacPherson, whose works showcase immense talent and creativity. MacPherson captures a unique voice and demonstrates a command of language that promises a bright future in the literary world. The Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award seeks to give space to new voices like hers, and we are proud to see these promising writers recognized.”

Samantha Jade Macpherson is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she studied fiction as a Patterson Fellow. She also holds a BFA in writing with a minor in environmental studies from the University of Victoria. Her writing has appeared in The Kenyon Review, The Fiddlehead, The Malahat Review, The New Quarterly, and Ricepaper Magazine. She was the winner of the 2018 Malahat Review Novella Prize, as well as the Jack Hodgins Founders’ Award for Fiction. In 2019, she was a finalist for the Writers’ Trust Journey Prize. Her novel's manuscript, PONY, explores her biracial identity, self-estrangement, and maternal absence, as well as a collection of short stories. Samantha can be found at www.samanthajademacpherson.com.

30/06/2025

ACWW is pleased to announce that Bonnie Nish has been chosen as one of this year’s recipients of the ACWW Community Builders Award. This award is given to an individual or organization demonstrating commitment and devotion to racial equity and advocating inclusion for Asian Canadians and the literary community.

Bonnie Nish's leadership roles have contributed to Vancouver's literary community in numerous ways. As the founder and Executive Director of Pandora's Collective Outreach Society, she has been instrumental in organizing ongoing literary events that provide a platform for diverse and racialized writers. As Executive Director of Word Vancouver, Bonnie has guided the largest celebration of literacy and reading in Western Canada during one of the most challenging times in the organization’s history, bringing fresh voices, sincerity, and inclusivity to the selection of writers, and consistently ensuring that Asian Canadian writers are heard at the festival. During the darkest times of the pandemic, Bonnie provided leadership, friendship and support to community organizations such as ACWW and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy events to ensure their continuity.

Bonnie's contributions have significantly enriched Vancouver's literary landscape through her multifaceted roles, supporting emerging and established writers and fostering a vibrant community of literary enthusiasts.

Over the years, ACWW has honoured individuals, community organizations, and educational institutions that have made significant contributions to the community. Past recipients of the ACWW Community Builders Awards include Roy Mah, Wayson Choy, Paul Yee, Harvey Lowe, Roy Miki, Fred Wah, The Bulletin (National Association of Japanese Canadians), Joy Kogawa, Scott McIntyre, Gim Wong, Evelyn Lau, Tradewind Books, Brian Lam, and Barbara Lee.

Congratulations, Bonnie!

30/06/2025

We are delighted to announce that Winnie Cheung has been awarded as one of the recipients of the ACWW Community Builders Award. This award is given to an individual or organization demonstrating commitment and devotion to racial equity and advocating inclusion for Asian Canadians.

As a published writer and art enthusiast, Winnie Cheung has dedicated her life to creating public platforms for meaningful dialogues and storytelling, aiming to discover and strengthen common bonds within diverse communities while actively integrating Indigenous history and perspectives into her work. Her leadership roles at the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop Society (ACWW), the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS), the Laurier Institution, and the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre - Museum of Migration (PCHC–MoM) Society have significantly impacted the Canadian arts, literature, and education and fostered intercultural dialogue and understanding across diverse communities.

Over the years, ACWW has honoured individuals, community organizations, and educational institutions that have made significant contributions to the community. Past recipients of the ACWW Community Builders Awards include Roy Mah, Wayson Choy, Paul Yee, Harvey Lowe, Roy Miki, Fred Wah, The Bulletin (National Association of Japanese Canadians), Joy Kogawa, Scott McIntyre, Gim Wong, Evelyn Lau, Tradewind Books, and Brian Lam.

Thank you, Winnie, for your tireless efforts and dedication to our community. Your efforts are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the spirit of this award!

29/06/2025

ACWW is honoured to present Larry Wong, historian, writer, and community advocate, as one of the recipients of the Community Builders Award. Larry has been instrumental in preserving and sharing the stories of Chinese Canadians through his decades of tireless work.

As a founding member of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia (CCHSBC) and the ACWW, and the author of Dim Sum Stories and the play Empress of Asia, Larry has used storytelling to challenge historical amnesia and inspire pride in community heritage.

Larry passed away in 2023, but his legacy continues to have a lasting impact on the community.

29/06/2025

The Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop (ACWW) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Builders Award. This year’s honourees are Winnie Cheung, Larry Wong, and Bonnie Nish—each recognized for their extraordinary commitment to fostering inclusive cultural spaces and empowering marginalized voices.

Winnie Cheung has long been a driving force in Vancouver as an educator, curator, arts administrator, and champion of intercultural dialogue. Her leadership at organizations, including the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre Museum of Migration (PCHC-MoM), explorASIAN, and ACWW has helped amplify underrepresented narratives in the arts, supporting generations of Asian diasporic artists.

Larry Wong, historian, writer, and community advocate, has been instrumental in preserving and sharing the stories of Chinese Canadians through decades of work. As a founding member of the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia (CCHSBC) and the ACWW, and the author of Dim Sum Stories and the play Empress of Asia, Larry has used storytelling to challenge historical amnesia and inspire pride in community heritage. His mentorship and oral history work continue to influence emerging writers and researchers.

Bonnie Nish, Executive Director of Pandora’s Collective and Word Vancouver, is celebrated for her powerful vision in making literature accessible to all. Her work has broken down barriers to literary participation through initiatives such as prison writing workshops, poetry outreach programs, and community festivals. Bonnie’s leadership reflects a deep belief in the healing and connective power of the written word.

The Community Builders Award recognizes sustained, behind-the-scenes efforts that may not always make headlines but have profoundly shaped Canada's arts and literary landscape. The award presentation took place during the LiterASIAN Festival, where each winner was honoured for their legacy and continued impact.

http://www.asiancanadianwriters.ca/2025/06/winners-of-2025-community-builders.html

27/06/2025

Learn about JF Garrard’s harrowing journey from short story to novel, the hidden histories behind the book, and what it takes to bring a unique vision to life.

Get tickets for JF Garrard's LiterASIAN 2025: Origins events here: https://eventbrite.com/cc/literasian-2025-origins-4282463

Historic Joy Kogawa House
Real Vancouver Writers' Series
Vancouver Writers Fest
Word Vancouver

JF Garrard is an award-winning speculative fiction writer, editor, publisher and host of The Artsy Raven podcast about writing and publishing. She is the President of Dark Helix Press, the Canadian…

26/06/2025

Award-winning community historian, curator and author Catherine Clement joins us for Literasian 2025!

Read her interview here: http://literasian.com/catherine-clement/

Get tickets here: https://chinesecanadianmuseum.ca/programs/literasian-festival-2025-catherine-clement

Chinese Canadian Museum
British Columbia Historical Federation
NewToBC

Join LiterASIAN Festival and author Catherine Clement in exploring the Chinese Exclusion Act through the stories of the lives it touched.

24/06/2025

Join us for an inspiring afternoon celebrating the vibrant future of Asian Canadian literature. Infusion brings together fresh and dynamic voices from the anthology, showcasing a new generation of writers redefining what it means to be Asian Canadian today.

This special event also marks the 30th anniversary of Ricepaper Magazine, a pioneering publication that has championed Asian Canadian arts and culture for three decades. Hear live readings from contributors to Infusion, engage in lively conversations about identity, creativity, and community, and reflect on Ricepaper's legacy and future.

Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/celebrating-30-years-of-ricepaper-magazine-a-new-infusion-tickets-1343199789729?aff=oddtdtcreator

Centre A
Vancouver Writers Fest
Word Vancouver
Asian Canadian & Asian Migration Studies UBC
Real Vancouver Writers' Series

Celebrating Thirty Years of Ricepaper Magazine: A New Infusion of Asian Canadian Narratives.

17/06/2025

Join Perilous Words at the UBC Learning Exchange for their second organized with the Asian Canadian Writers Workshop as part of the Literasian festival. 📚🌈

“Workshop 2: From Raw to Refined” will focus on the art of editing and rewriting with intention on Sunday, June 22.

Led by Emi Sasagawa, spots are open to everyone and filling up. Learn more and register via the link here: https://bit.ly/3YanO8i



Canadian Writers Events
North Shore Writers Association
Historic Joy Kogawa House

17/06/2025

Writer, editor, and publisher JF Garrard joins us for Literasian 2025: Origins!

Read her interview and get tickets to events on our website: https://literasian.com/jf-garrard/


DarkWinter Literary Magazine
Gung Haggis Fat Choy
Word Vancouver

JF Garrard is an award-winning speculative fiction writer, editor, publisher and host of The Artsy Raven podcast about writing and publishing. She is the President of Dark Helix Press, the Canadian…

14/06/2025

The Evolution of Bride of Gum San: How a Short Story Became a Novel

Celebrate the release of this exciting new xuanhuan fantasy novel set in the heart of 19th-century San Francisco Chinatown.

What began as a short story for an East Asian female warrior anthology evolved into a full-length novel after the author deeply researched Chinatown’s rich history. After years of perseverance—through rejections, contests, and querying—JF Garrard’s manuscript evolved into a complete manuscript, picked up by a publisher and entered into a literary festival.

Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-evolution-of-bride-of-gum-san-how-a-short-story-became-a-novel-tickets-1343209659249?aff=oddtdtcreator

Gung Haggis Fat Choy
Word Vancouver
Centre A
Literasian

Celebrate the release of this exciting new xuanhuan fantasy novel set in the heart of 19th-century San Francisco Chinatown.

03/06/2025

See you all in Vancouver for more Literasian!

💐[EAL Post] Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Asian Heritage Month Literary Celebration.

🌹A special thank you to our collaborators: the Asian Canadian Writers Workshop , Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada , Canadian Authors Association Toronto Branch , Dark Helix Press , Literasian.

💕We were honored to welcome Carrianne Leung, Leanne Toshiko Simpson, Wayne Ng , Mai Nguyen, Garry Engkent, Ling Ge, Mihan Han, Amardeep Kaur, Hana Kim , Victoria Sa, and Justin Timbol to the event as moderator, panelists, and contributing authors.

🎓Their participation and insights powerfully amplified the voices of Asian Canadian authors and writers from the Asian diaspora.

🌟 Event highlights are now available in our photo album – check them out! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.689277907070240&type=3