October 13, 2024

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.

September 18, 2024

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


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



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

August 25, 2024

Sean Gunn's Readings of Jim Wong-Chu's poetry

Sean Gunn, one of the original members of ACWW and lifelong friend of Jim Wong-Chu, reads from hippo luck (for Sid Tan) at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.  In 2019, the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW), Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, UBC Library and Emily Carr University of Art and Design collaborated on an exhibition, Jim Wong-Chu Iconic Asian Canadian, from October 10 to November 15, 2019, on Level 2 of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, located on the UBC Vancouver campus.

Thanks to Webcaster Elwin Xie, LJ Meijer and Jordan Tan for video production and upload. 

August 2, 2024

ACWW's "Getting Personal: Memoir" at Word Vancouver 2024


Sponsored by the Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop (ACWW).  Join these acclaimed authors as they share their personal stories taking us through the hardest of times to the joys and celebrations so that we cry, laugh, and cheer with them. es to the joys and celebrations so that we cry, laugh, and cheer with them. This year’s festival will be held on September 28th, 2024 at UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC) 

Keiko Honda, Accidental Blooms (Caitlin Press) | Tara Sidhoo Fraser, When My Ghost Sings: A Memoir of Stroke, Recovery, and Transformation (Arsenal Pulp Press) | Kagan Goh, Surviving Samsara: A Memoir of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and Mental Illness (Caitlin Press)



Keiko Honda 
Keiko Honda is a scientist, writer, community organizer and painter. She holds a PhD in international community health from New York University, but when she suddenly contracted a rare autoimmune disease that confined her to a wheelchair for life, she had to leave her career in research at Columbia University in New York. After moving to Vancouver in 2009, Keiko started hosting artist salons, for which she was awarded the City of Vancouver’s Remarkable Women award in 2014. Shortly thereafter, she founded the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society to bridge generations and cultures through the arts and to offer members of marginalized communities in Vancouver opportunities for artistic self-discovery. She teaches the aesthetics of co-creation in the Liberal Arts and 55+ Program at Simon Fraser University. She lives in Vancouver, BC, and enjoys watercolour painting and hosting her salons. 

Tara Sidhoo Fraser 
Tara Sidhoo Fraser is a queer writer and creator of South Asian and Scottish ancestry. She graduated from the University of Victoria with a BA in Anthropology, and her work has been published with Autostraddle and Anathema magazine, among others. When My Ghost Sings is her first book. She lives in Vancouver. 

Kagan Goh 
Originally from Singapore, Kagan Goh is a Vancouver-based Chinese Canadian BIPOC multidisciplinary Mad Artist: award-winning filmmaker, published author, spoken word poet, playwright, actor, mental health advocate and activist. He was diagnosed with manic depression at the age of twenty-three, in 1993. Kagan is a well-known spoken word artist, essayist and poet, a respected and established voice in Vancouver’s literary community for over two decades. He has been invited to perform at readings, festivals and on radio, and has published in numerous anthologies, periodicals, and magazines. In 2012, Select Books in Singapore published his poetic memoir, focused upon his relationship with his esteemed father, Who Let in the Sky? Kagan is also an award-winning filmmaker with a number of releases including the award-winning film: Mind Fuck (1996); Stolen Memories (2012); Breaking the Silence (2015); The Day My Cat Saved My Life (2021); and Common Law (2024). His films have been broadcast on national television and gained entry into respected film festivals around the world. In Kagan Goh’s follow-up memoir, Surviving Samsara, he recounts his struggles with manic depression, breaking the silence around mental illness. Surviving Samsara was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2022 in the creative nonfiction in English category. 

Todd Wong (moderator) 
Todd is well known for his community activism and contributions to both the literary and Asian Canadian cultural community, as leaders for Historic Joy Kogawa House, Asian Canadian Writers' Workshop and Word Vancouver. But he is not well known as survivors of cancer, depression, and heart failure, although he has shared publicly in the CBC TV documentary The Chan Legacy, and interviews about cancer survivorship. Todd is a longtime library assistant for the Vancouver Public Library. In his spare time he enjoys life by playing his accordion, paddling canoes, paddleboard & dragonboat (retired), drinking whisky, and creating cultural fusion fun through his Gung Haggis Fat Choy events.



September 28th, 2024, from 2.00PM-3.00PM.

UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC) at the Sunroom - Gallery

July 7, 2024

Jinwoo Park’s “Oxford Soju Club” will be published by Dundurn Press in September 2025


ACWW is excited that Jinwoo Park’s “Oxford Soju Club” will be published by Dundurn Press in September 2025.

Jinwoo Park is a Korean Canadian writer based in Montreal. He completed his Master’s in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford. As a Korean-English translator, Jinwoo has received the LTI Korea Translation Award for Aspiring Translators.

In 2020 he won the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers’ Award for his first manuscript, Oxford Soju Club, which will debut in September 2025.

https://www.rcwlitagency.com/authors/jinwoo-park/

Thank you to Marlene Enns, Edwin Lee, and Dr. Trevor Carolan for all your hard work as jurors of this awards committee.