Dear Members,
The slightly cooler weather brings with it the sight of roasted chestnut vendors in our neighbourhoods, and even hints of holly as the city prepares itself for the festive season. As we close out submissions for Imprint 22, we’re looking forward to spending a little more time with you before the year’s end. So, if you’re in the mood for some backseat urban exploring with Hidden & Haunted just in time for Halloween, or you’re more in the spirit of Secret Santa, we hope you’ll join us for one or all of our events in this final quarter as we bid goodbye to 2023!
UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS
Hidden & Haunted
Thursday, 26 October 2023, 6.30pm
Ever wondered about an abandoned building’s past life? Did its crumbling walls whisper “Come inside, take a look; please don’t forget about me.” Then we have the perfect trick or treat alternative for you. Join us at the AWA offices and be part of a derring-do journey with Hong Kong-based designer, photographer and urban explorer Sacha Yasumoto, author of Loved then Abandoned. Hear Sacha in conversation with WiPS member Lesley Hobbs discussing Hong Kong abandoned villages, crumbling Italian palaces and “dangerous dinners”. You won’t want to miss this or the nerve calming glass (or two) of wine.
WiPS Festive Dinner
Wednesday, 29 November 2023, 7pm
It’s October already and the city will soon be giddy with gatherings over glühwein! Before the holiday season is upon us in full force, we invite you to celebrate with fellow WiPS members, as we look back at 2023 in gratitude and forward with hope for all that 2024 is yet to bring! Please join us for an evening of merrymaking and a Secret Santa Book Swap at this year’s celebratory dinner at the FCC. Registration will open from 21 October.
Imprint 22 Launch
We have a large, diverse and exciting collection of submissions for our next issue of Imprint, and editing is well under way! Please mark your calendars for a launch date in early March 2024 during the Hong Kong International Literary Festival. If anyone has missed the deadline, we will consider late submissions where space remains. Please contact caroldyer@netvigator.com.
WiPS Book Club and Writing Workshop
These two regular groups remain very popular, attracting new members and active participation. Our meanderings through the chosen book each month allow us to broaden our literary horizons as we immerse ourselves in other lives, culminating in lively social discussions at the end of each month. This month we are reading Leonard and Hungry Paul, by Ronan Hession.
The writing workshop goes from strength to strength, with keen participation by group members, both in submitting their work and providing invaluable constructive critique and support for other writers. All writers will find this group educative, supportive and fun. If you are interested in learning more, please visit our website and follow the links.
RECENT EVENTS
Villepin Gallery Guided Visit
The “Anselm Kiefer: Golden Age” event in August was primarily intended as a social gathering for members and guests braving the humid Hong Kong summer. If you sought confrontational art on a major scale, then Herr Kiefer was your man from the 1960s to 1990s. “A Pandora’s box of fascist and nationalistic imagery”, which he sought to expose and force conversation about, was just one of the monikers attached to the German-born artist’s work. The “Golden Age” pieces displayed by Villepin were more upbeat. Produced from 2020 to 2022, they recall the classical peak of human civilization and the flourishing of peace and prosperity, pointing to hope for the future. The artworks provided much philosophical food for thought, and more conversation, at the Lebanese restaurant later that evening!
Poetry Workshops with Dr Sherryl Clark
In her two workshop classes delivered by Zoom from New Zealand, “Making Poems: The Main Elements”, which explained the essentials of poetry writing, and “Strategies for Revising a Poem”, which focused on how to revise and perfect a poem, Dr Clark provided a thorough look at the process of poetry writing from first draft to polished final version. Dr Clark is a seasoned poet and teacher, and those who attended her classes live or through the recordings (available for 7 days after each event) benefited enormously from her wealth of experience. She was informative and full of advice, and catered both to novice and to published poets, as well to those wanting to increase their enjoyment of reading poetry. Watch out for some new and reinvigorated WiPS poets in Imprint 22!
Following the workshops, Jenny Eagleton kindly offered her help to any participants whose poems were still works in progress and needed refinement before submission.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
We would like to advise members that membership renewal notices for 2024 will be sent out in mid-November. We hope you will all wish to continue to support WiPS by remaining in and contributing to the group. Subscription fees will remain the same and are due by the end of December 2023.
NEW MEMBERS
A warm welcome to our five new members who have joined since August: Sarah Rigby, Holly Sykes, Natalie Wong, Sarah Huda and Michelle Tanmizi.
KAY ROSS, FORMER WiPS PRESIDENT
Kay was born in Scotland and grew up in Australia, from where her adventurous spirit led her to Hong Kong in 1993. With a background in arts and tourism administration and marketing, she took on the position of “listings editor” at the SCMP, working there for six years before forming her own company as an Editor/Copywriter and Personal Development Facilitator, Tedx Speaker and Applied Improvisation Trainer. Kay led us into the millennium as WiPS President, and after stepping down, she continued to support us until her recent death on 30 September 2023. She is deeply missed and mourned by us all.
With our best wishes
Your WiPS Committee