QueerAsian 4: Memoir Writing Workshops

When: Saturday, May 14, 21, and 28, 10am to 12:30pm EST
Where: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander Street, Toronto
Cost: Free to successful applicants

Join Historic Joy Kogawa House for a series of three in-person writing workshops for 2SLGBTQIA+ Asian writers (at any level of experience) aimed at exploring the memoir genre.

Led by queer Filipinx author C.E. Gatchalian and co-facilitated by writer and educator Terence Lowe, these workshops offer a brave space for people of Asian descent who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ to develop their writing skills while exploring nonfiction narrative writing that holds space for complex feelings, dialogue, and reflection.

Also, award-winning queer Asian author Farzana Doctor will be our guest artist on May 21, talking about her fears of writing a memoir, and the distinction between memoir and fiction.

The three in-person workshops run Saturdays from 10am to 12:30pm EST. Participants are expected to attend all workshops and will receive an honorarium of $150 to support and compensate the creation of new work.

Workshop dates:
May 14: The Memoir
May 21: Memoir-Phobia/Memoir vs Fiction, with Guest Artist Farzana Doctor
May 28: The Non-Triumphant Memoir

All workshops will be hosted in person.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please email info@kogawahouse.com to receive an application form.

These workshops are open to anyone who identifies as Asian, including Black Asian, mixed, Middle-Eastern, Pan Asian, and Asian-Caribbean. Applicants must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination at the first workshop.

Apply by 11:59 pm EST Wednesday, May 11, 2022.

Portrait of C.E. Gatchalian
C.E. Gatchalian is a queer Filipinx-Canadian author of six books and co-editor of two anthologies. He is a three-time Lambda Literary Award finalist and the recipient of two Jessie Richardson Awards for his work as a theatre artist and producer. His memoir, Double Melancholy: Art, Beauty, and the Making of a Brown Queer Man, is published by Arsenal Pulp Press.
Portrait of C.E. Gatchalian

Terence Lowe has hosted an array of queer health initiatives, community-based arts programs, and focused service-learning programs. Terence is currently program lead for equity, diversity, and inclusion at UBC Extended Learning.

Portrait of C.E. Gatchalian
Farzana Doctor is a celebrated and award-winning Canadian author and speaker whose books are often seen on “best-of” lists each year. Her poetry collection, You Still Look The Same, launches Tuesday, May 10, 2022.