Asian Canadian Writers Workshop

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Asian Canadian Writers Workshop Forum for inclusive, representative and progressive dialogue, ACWW showcases the quality work by artists, scholars, and cultural producers since 1969

Hosted by the Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop (ACWW), Words on Rice: Open Mic is a warm and welcoming open mic space fo...
23/10/2025

Hosted by the Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop (ACWW), Words on Rice: Open Mic is a warm and welcoming open mic space for anyone who identifies as Asian Canadian or mixed-race Asian Canadian to share their stories, poems, and creative expressions. Whether you are a seasoned writer, a first-time reader, or simply curious about exploring your voice, this series invites you to step up to the mic and be heard.

Research shows that reading your writing aloud — particularly in front of others in a safe and supportive environment — can dramatically improve clarity, rhythm, and self-editing skills. Hearing your words helps you fine-tune tone, pacing, and flow, while also strengthening your voice and confidence. Reading aloud engages memory and comprehension, and encourages emotional awareness, allowing you to feel and shape your text in powerful ways. Join us to discover how giving your words a voice can make you a more articulate, confident writer.

Held monthly, this virtual series reflects ACWW’s long-standing mission to nurture Asian Canadian voices and to cultivate an inclusive literary landscape where every story matters. Each reading is 5 minutes long. (All participants may ask for feedback on their writing after the session via email.).

Our next hour-long open mic will happen on November 15, 2025, 3.00pm PST / 6.00pm EST.

https://forms.gle/Wc1Kg1x1PeqA16ia8

On September 14, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Asian Canadian Writers Workshop! It was a joyful gathering of...
21/10/2025

On September 14, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Asian Canadian Writers Workshop! It was a joyful gathering of community, memory, and literary legacy.

Speakers included Cheuk Kwan, Alyssa Sy de Jesus, Sean Gunn, Effie Pow, & special guest Elder Larry Grant.

This Thursday! Hear directly from Evelyn Lau, one of Canada’s most influential literary voices. Register here: https://l...
14/10/2025

This Thursday! Hear directly from Evelyn Lau, one of Canada’s most influential literary voices.

Register here: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3924775

On October 16, join the UBC Library for a special literary Q&A session featuring acclaimed poet and memoirist Evelyn Lau, in conversation with Bonnie Nish, Executive Director of Word Vancouver.

Register here: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3924775

Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
UBC Department of English Language & Literatures

A wonderful book launch of “Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong” by Larry Grant and Scott Steedman, brought to yo...
03/10/2025

A wonderful book launch of “Reconciling: A Lifelong Struggle to Belong” by Larry Grant and Scott Steedman, brought to you by Chinatown Wonders and ACWW

Did you miss this event? Link to recording here: https://youtu.be/5NFFLmm9-Us?si=2hxRJqQuWqZ5hytm

03/10/2025

Shhh don't tell anyone (actually, please tell everyone!) but there is one more 2025 Word Event up our sleeves for you on October 16th from 3pm to 4pm.

Join the UBC Library Writer-in-Resident, Evelyn Lau, for a special event as she reads from and discusses her latest poetry collection, Parade of Storms. Evelyn will share insights into her creative journey, the challenges and rewards of a writing life, and the influences that have shaped her 10 books of poetry. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or simply curious about her work, this event offers an intimate look at the craft, and inspiration behind one of Canada’s most beloved poets. In partnership with Word Vancouver, this event will be moderated by Festival director, Bonnie Nish.

Register: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3924775

Location: Irving K Barber Learning Centre

Sponsored by: Word Vancouver · UBC Library sponsors the Writer-in-Residence program

Moderators: Bonnie Nish

Reader: Evelyn Lau, Parade of Storms (Anvil Press)

An important piece about community organizer, artist, and a founding member of ACWW, Sean Gunn. "Generations of the Gun...
02/10/2025

An important piece about community organizer, artist, and a founding member of ACWW, Sean Gunn. "Generations of the Gunns: Sean’s Family Legacy” by Effie Pow documents Sean's family history and its place in Asian Canadian history https://ricepapermagazine.ca/2025/09/generations-of-the-gunns-seans-family-legacy/.

Sean Gunn was born in August 1948 in Vernon, BC, to Laura Joe (1922-2015) and Gun Wah Fong (1905-1988). His sister Sharon was born in 1952, followed by Shannon in 1956. His family history reflects the journeys of Chinese Canadians in BC. Sean Gunn’s maternal great-grandfather was the Chinese store...

01/10/2025
24/09/2025
Lovely to spend an afternoon with author Jinwoo Park Thank you for joining us for your Vancouver tour of your debut nov...
21/09/2025

Lovely to spend an afternoon with author Jinwoo Park Thank you for joining us for your Vancouver tour of your debut novel, Oxford Soju Club! We all celebrated together (Jinwoo, Effie Pow (Perilous Words), Sophie Munk (Literasian Festival Coordinator), Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho (author of upcoming (The Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street), Allan Cho, Brian Nguyen (Visual Editor, Ricepaper and BC Bookworld), and photo by Gavin Hee (Ricepaper podcaster TalkRice).

Best of luck for the rest of the book tour in September, Jinwoo!!

https://www.jinwoo-park.com/events

Featuring acclaimed authors Eddy Boudel Tan (Tiger and the Cosmonaut), Jinwoo Park (Jim Wong Chu Emerging Writers Award ...
21/09/2025

Featuring acclaimed authors Eddy Boudel Tan (Tiger and the Cosmonaut), Jinwoo Park (Jim Wong Chu Emerging Writers Award winner for Oxford Soju Club), and Grace Kwan (The Sacred Heart Motel), this panel explored stories of identity, resilience, and belonging. Moderated by community leader and storyteller Todd Wong, the discussion promises insight, humour, and inspiration.

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Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop

The Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW) was created out of a need to develop and nurture Pacific Rim Asian writers. Its primary purpose is to foster a community of writers and build literature. ACWW established a number of successes: writing workshops, literary anthologies, book clubs, mentorship of new writers, one-on-one manuscript development sessions, an annual reading series, chapters in Edmonton and Toronto, as well as the creation of the ACWW Emerging Writer’s Award.

ACWW began in the late early 1970’s when a handful of community activists turned writers wanted to tell their stories and have their voices heard. The earliest publications featured two anthologies: Inalienable Rice: A Chinese and Japanese Canadian Anthology (1979) and West Coast Line: The Asian Canadian and the Arts (1981).

Founding members began to publish: Paul Yee’s Teach Me How to Fly Skyfighter (1983) (illustrated by SKY Lee); Jim Wong-Chu’s ChinatownGhosts (1986); Paul Yee’s Curses ofThird Uncle (1986), Tales of GoldMountain (1989); SKY Lee’s DisappearingMoon Café(1990). These pioneers formed the organization to promote Asian Canadian history, culture, and literature. The idea of ACWW was officially recognized as a not for profit society when the the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop Society (ACWW) became a legal entity and continues today governed by a board of directors and executive team.

The Purpose of the Society is: