Since September, HJKH writers-in-residence, Tom Cho and Jackie Wykes, have been hosting “Shut Up And Write” (SUAW) sessions at Kogawa House on Sundays.
With Tom and Jackie’s residency coming to an end in March, there are only three more Sunday sessions at Kogawa House (Feb 21, March 6, March 13). However, a new series of midweek writing meet-ups has already begun, which will eventually replace the sessions at the house.
What is Shut Up And Write?
Shut Up And Write meet-ups place the typically solitary activity of writing into a more social space. The idea is simple: a group of people get together and focus on their own writing, with short breaks to socialise – “No critiquing, exercises, lectures, ego, competition or feeling guilty.”
Originating in San Francisco, the idea has spread to other cities and continents and there are now SUAW groups in across the US, Canada, Australia, and more – there’s even an online meet-up and communities for those who can’t get to a group in person. It works for writers at all stages and in all genres – poets, academics, journal writers, novelists, bloggers, students, etc.
A group of regulars has formed around the SUAW sessions organised by Tom and Jackie, and more than a few have remarked that it’s their most productive writing time all week. As Jonathan O’Donnell wrote on The Research Whisperer:
“The system works because you have made a private commitment to writing at this time, acted on that commitment by turning up, and used the mutual support of others to help you stay the distance. It’s a one-step program for the procrastinator in us all.”
Check out our Facebook group for more information.
These events take place on the traditional unceded territory of the Coast Salish people.
General Accessibility
The SUAW sessions are open to people of all writing backgrounds and abilities. We welcome queers, transfolk, two-spirit people, bisexuals, lesbians, gay folks, people of colour, rad fatties, excellent allies, and all combinations thereof!
As part of our commitment to improving accessibility, we are working to host SUAW in a scent-reduced environment. At a minimum, please avoid wearing perfume, cologne, body spray and scented aftershave. Please also refrain from painting your nails on the day. For tips and product recommendations, see: http://thinkbeforeyoustink.com/howtogofragrancefree.html and http://www.brownstargirl.org/blog/fragrance-free-femme-of-colour-realness-draft-15
Specific accessibility information for each venue is detailed below.
If you have any accessibility queries or concerns, please feel free to contact us – we’re happy to discuss via the means that best suit you (e.g. text, email, phone, in person).
SUAW on Sundays at Historic Joy Kogawa House – 2-5 pm (Feb 21, March 6, March 13)
Historic Joy Kogawa House
1450 West 64th Avenue, Vancouver
Coffee, tea and wifi provided! BYO snacks to share.
Venue accessibility: Unfortunately, Historic Joy Kogawa House is not currently wheelchair accessible. For details and measurements, please see the accessibility page.
Caffè Artigiano on Main Street. Photo by Google Maps.
SUAW on Wednesdays at Caffè Artigiano – 2-5:30 pm
Caffè Artigiano
4010 Main Street (at 24th Avenue), Vancouver
The cafe has wifi and sells various snacks and drinks. We gather at the communal table in the centre of the cafe. You can find us by looking out for the copy of Joy Kogawa’s Obasan on the table!
Venue accessibility: This venue is wheelchair accessible. The front door opens outwards manually. The pathway to the food and beverage ordering area is ramped on the left and right sides. The ramped side closest to the front entrance has left and right handrails.
All bathrooms have wing door handles (i.e. not knobs). There is one wheelchair accessible bathroom with a door that opens inwards manually. This bathroom has a grab bar on the left wall next to the toilet. The room also has a baby changing table. There are two further gender neutral bathrooms that are not wheelchair accessible.
All seating at Caffè Artigiano has no arms.