Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Tonight! Poetry Night with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang and friends | Nicola's Books

Tonight! 7/26/2022 7pm Nicolas books with the great Carlina Duan and Zilka Joseph!
Poetry Night with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang and friends | Nicola's Books

Jul 26 2022 - 7:00pm
Westgate Shopping Center
2513 Jackson Avenue
Ann ArborMI 48103

Celebrate Ann Arbor Poets with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang and friends

We are honored to present three Asian-American poets in celebration of Frances Kai-Hwa Wang’s new book of essays. Enjoy a poetry filled hour in-store with readings and discussion. We are so excited to welcome them as one of our first in-person events in over two years.

Let us know you are coming by registering HERE

About the Book

In the aftermath of a messy divorce, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang writes in the hope of beginning to build a new life with four children, bossy aunties, unreliable suitors, and an uncertain political landscape. The lyric essays in You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids deftly navigate the space between cultures and reflect on lessons learned from both Asian American elders and young multiracial children, punctuated by moments rich with cultural and linguistic nuance. In her prologue, Wang explains, Buddhists say that suffering comes from unsatisfied desire, so for years I tried to close the door to desire. I was so successful, I not only closed the door, I locked it, barred it, nailed it shut, then stacked a bunch of furniture in front of it. And now that door is open, wide open, and all my insides are spilling out.

Full of current events of the day and #HashtagsOfTheMoment, the topics in the collection are wide ranging, including cooking food to show love, surviving Chinese School, being an underpaid lecturer, defending against yellow dildos, navigating immigration issues, finding love in a time of elections, crying with children separated from their parents at the border, charting the landscape of frugal/hoarder elders during the pandemic, witnessing COVID-inspired anti-Asian American violence while reflecting on the death of Vincent Chin, teaching her sixteen-year-old son to drive after the deaths of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, and trusting the power of writing herself into existence. Within these lyric essays, some of which are accompanied by artwork and art installations, Wang finds the courage and hope to speak out for herself and for an entire generation of Asian American women.

A notable work in the landscape of Asian American literature as well as Midwest and Michigan-based literature, You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids features a clear and powerful voice that brings all people together in these political and pandemic times.

Order your copy here:  https://www.nicolasbooks.com/book/9780814349410

Let us know you are coming by registering HERE

About the Author(s): 

Frances Kai-Hwa Wang is a poet, artist, essayist, and activist focused on issues of Asian America, race, justice, and the arts. Her writing has appeared at PBS NewsHour, NBCAsianAmerica, PRI GlobalNation, Cha Asian Literary Journal, Kartika Review, Drunken Boat. She teaches Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies at University of Michigan and creative writing at Washtenaw Community College. She co-created a multimedia artwork for Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. She is a 2019 Knight Arts Challenge Detroit artist. Her book of poetry, “You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids,” is just out at Wayne State University Press. Franceskaihwawang.com @fkwang

Books:  You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids,” Wayne State University Press; and contributor to Rise (Harper Collins 2021) 

CARLINA DUAN is a writer-educator from Ann Arbor, and the author of the poetry collections I Wore My Blackest Hair (Little A, 2017) and Alien Miss (Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 2021). She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in the University of Michigan's Joint Program in English and Education. Among many things, she loves river walks, snail mail, and being a sister.

Books: I Wore My Blackest Hair (Little A, 2017) and Alien Miss (University of Wisconsin Press, 2021). I will be reading from Alien Miss.

ZILKA JOSEPH moved to the US from Kolkata, India in 1997, and Michigan has been her home since 2000. This is where she reconnected with writing  poetry, and began publishing books. She is working on a new manuscript, and a set of poems based on the Vedas that will accompany an Indian classical dance performance. Her website is www.zilkajoseph.com and She’s available on Facebook. Books: In Our Beautiful Bones (Mayapple Press, 2021), Sparrows and Dust (Ridgeway Press, 2021), Sharp Blue Search of Flame (Wayne State Univ Press), Lands I Live In ( Mayapple Press)

Monday, July 25, 2022

My new book on Michigan Radio Stateside: Monday, July 25, 2022

I'm on the radio again today! Michigan Radio Stateside at the 12:35 mark. Big thanks to April Baer for reprising our great convo just in time for tomorrow's reading at Nicola's Books.

Stateside: Monday, July 25, 2022

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Welcomes Arts Writers For Annual National Critics Institute

That's me! Eugene O'Neill Theater Center National Critics Institute Knight Fellow, the premiere arts criticism and arts journalism boot camp/fellowship.  

Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Welcomes Arts Writers For Annual National Critics Institute
From July 12 to July 24, these journalists will strengthen and diversify their skills through workshops in reviewing, storytelling and analysis, and more.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center will welcome 16 talented arts and culture writers and critics from across the country to campus for the annual National Critics Institute.

The 2022 class of fellows includes the following writers: Tre'vell Anderson, Nancy Coleman, Alexi Chacon, Serena Daniels, Jay Gabler, Devika Girish, Angela Harmon, Cecilia Johnson, Brittani Julious , Pam Kragen, Jasmine Liu, Kaitlin McCarthy, Gloria Oladipo, Hanna Raskin, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and John Wenzel.

From July 12 to July 24, these journalists will strengthen and diversify their skills through workshops in reviewing, storytelling and analysis, arts profile writing, blogging, social media, and more. This year, fellows are hearing from mentors including Peter Marks (The Washington Post), Sarah Kaufman (The Washington Post), Ligaya Mishan (The New York Times), Harvey Young (Boston University), KO (performer and activist), Mark Blankenship (arts writer and critic), Mary Dixon (WBEZ), and Mark Caro (freelancer writer and podcaster).

This selective, intensive program is led by Director Dr. Chris Jones, chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune and the New York Daily News, and Associate Director Naveen Kumar, journalist and culture critic with work in The New York Times, Town & Country, Variety, and more.

"We're thrilled to welcome such an impressive group of cultural critics for the first in-person National Critics Institute in three years," Jones said. "This is about the only national retreat and workshop for mid-career critics, and it's clear that the profession is in great hands for the future. We are so grateful to Knight Foundation for their support."

Knight Foundation, which is investing in journalism and the arts in cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight published newspapers, fully supports participation by fellows who live and/or work in one of these communities. This year's Knight Foundation Fellows are Alexi Chacon, Serena Daniels, Jay Gabler, Angela Harmon, [Cecilia] Angela Johnson, Jasmine Liu, Hanna Raskin, and Frances Kai-Hwa Wang.

Monday, July 11, 2022

Fellowship: National Critics Institute | Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

Very excited to be on my way to the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center! It's a
A two-week workshop designed for arts writers and critics looking to strengthen their skills in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced industry. (and we're going to see so many plays! can't wait.)

National Critics Institute | Eugene O'Neill Theater Center

More about how intense it is supposed to be (I'm starting to worry a little bit) 

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Date change! Continuing Writing Workshop: Finding the Writer Within - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & College Development

Date change for my next writing workshop! My 5-week Sunday Continuing Writing Workshop: Finding the Writer Within workshop at WCC will begin Aug 7 12-2pm EDT/9amPDT/6amHST instead of July 31 and instead of earlier July dates that might have been listed as well. The July 31 date will be made up in September. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Continuing Writing Workshop: Finding the Writer Within - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & College Development

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Sowing Aunties on AAWAA Pass It On, Episode 1: Birth of a Movement

Pass It On, Episode 1: Birth of a Movement is now available on-demand. Originally co-presented by AAWAA and KOHO on International Women’s Day 2022, experience this historic roundtable discussion featuring artist Kim Anno with AAWAA co-founders Betty Kano and Flo Oy Wong as they recount the founding and early days of Asian American Women Artists Association, the nation’s only nonprofit serving AAPI women in the arts.

You can see my Sowing Aunties art installation at the beginning of this video from Asian American Women Artists Association

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

3 new books highlighting underrepresented stories by NewsHour staff - PBS NewsHour Classroom

A lesson plan from Evelyn Chi at PBS NewsHour Classroom based on last Friday's broadcast story re Aaron Foley, Nicole Ellis, and my books 3
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why do you think it’s so important to write and read books about underrepresented groups, such as women, minorities and LGBTQ people?
If you were to write a book about or inspired by your own life, what would it be? Would it be nonfiction, a memoir or a novel? Why?

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

An Irresistible Summer Read. Frances Kai-Hwa Wang’s latest book | by Here and There | Medium

a great book review from Roopa at Here and There on Medium. Thanks!
This book doesn’t fit neatly into any category. It reads like a memoir, but, has been described as a prime example of creative non-fiction and the lyrical essay. Indeed, the work does defy genres, blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction. It is a collection of carefully crafted mini-stories, or flash fiction in modern parlance, strung together like a pearl necklace — each piece as equally exquisite as the next. Individually, they can stand alone, yet, when taken as a whole, they blend like beautiful voices singing in chorus. It can be read cover to cover or opened randomly at any page. Both options are equally satisfying. Either way, it is one of those books that stays with you long after you’re done beckoning to be re-opened and re-read.

Friday, July 1, 2022

NewsHour staff members discuss new books they have written | PBS NewsHour



Aaron, Nicole, and I were interviewed by Jeffrey Brown about our books for PBS NewsHour! And Judy Woodruff said she was proud of us!
If you are looking for something good to read this summer, you might start with the books written by our very own NewsHour staff. Three of our colleagues are out now with a memoir, a novel and a non-fiction book, all with very different styles. Jeffrey Brown spoke with Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, Aaron Foley and Nicole Ellis for our arts and culture series, "CANVAS."
NewsHour staff members discuss new books they have written | PBS NewsHour

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/newshour-staff-members-discuss-new-books-they-have-written/

YouTube https://youtu.be/UM22DG8ffQw 

Short Excerpt https://twitter.com/NewsHour/status/1543004957099675650

More info re our books:
"You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids," published by Wayne State University Press
https://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/you-cannot-resist-me-when-my-hair-braids

Aaron Foley "Boys Come First," Belt Publishing, https://beltpublishing.com/products/boys-come-first

Nicole Ellis "We Go High: How 30 Women of Colour Achieved Greatness against all Odds," DK Publishing, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691077/we-go-high-by-nicole-ellis/