Message from the Committee
As we progress from cleverly crafted mid-autumn paper lanterns to the haunting grins of jack-o’-lanterns, we eagerly await cooler breezes to prevail in Hong Kong after the soaring heat of summer. Meanwhile, we invite all WiPS members to join us in our various upcoming Zoom events. These will include a Manuscript to Market talk, a Poetry Workshop from the poet in residence at beautiful Painshill Park in Surrey and a spooky gothic novel at Book Club. Also coming up are the first-ever in-person Writing Workshop and a festive collaboration with Gentle Books.
We look forward to seeing you at one or all these events!
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
We would like to advise members that membership renewal notices for 2026 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 2025.
Upcoming Events
[Please go to our website under EVENTS for details and registration for all our upcoming events.]
Write Local, Sell Global
Join us over Zoom on 28 October at 6.30pm as publishing expert Jo Lusby talks to our very own Sophia Hotung about how Hong Kong-based authors writing locally can take their books to an international audience. (Recording of the session will be available for 7 days after the event to those registered.)
Book Club’s Rebecca
Following the success of September’s Short Story theme, we will coordinate another selection of short stories for a month in the new year. Also, we look forward in the new year to an in-person Book Club meeting. Watch this space!
Our October Book Club theme is Suspense! This month we dive into Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier’s classic 1938 gothic novel. The psychological thriller, set in a scenic cliffside estate in Cornwall, details a young woman’s obsession with her wealthy husband’s deceased first wife. Thursday, 30 October, 7pm.
In-person Writing Workshop
Enjoy cocktails and more as we share feedback in our first Writing Workshop in November. Table reserved 6 November at 6.30pm under “Andy Lowe” in the upstairs area of Urban Coffee Roasters (aka Perfume Trees Gin) at 35 Hollywood Road, Central. Registration is required.
Virtual Writing Workshop
The second of our November Writing Workshops, 14 November, 12 noon-2pm, will be on Zoom. Details of dial-in links are at the top of the WhatsApp group (scroll down from the WiPS icon). Registration is required.
Nia Broomhall Poetry Workshop
We’re thrilled to announce a Poetry Workshop led by award-winning, published poet Nia Broomhall, on Heritage and Identity. Join us on Tuesday, 11 November, 6.30-8.30pm (Zoom) where we’ll be guided by Nia through practical exercises to connect with our roots and deepen our craft. Whether you’re a budding poet or a seasoned writer, don’t miss this opportunity to unlock your voice and tell your unique story! Registration open.
A Festive Dinner with Gentle Books
In our first-ever collaboration with Gentle Books, WiPS is excited to bring you a holiday-inspired “Dinner with Gentle Books” on 3 December 2025. Watch this space for more details.
Imprint 24
More than fifty members will have submissions in our next issue of Imprint. We thank everyone for respecting the deadline as we need to go to print early, ahead of the late date of Chinese New Year. Editing and typesetting are now well under way. The diversity of contributions has yet again been astonishing and has enabled us to assemble what we know will be another dazzling anthology. The launch will be on 4 March 2026, as part of the HKILF. Please save the date.
Past Events
While Book Clubs and Writing Workshops remained a constant throughout our hot and stormy summer, we were pleased also to squeeze in several workshops on “Giving Feedback” in which we covered tips on how to create constructive feedback for your fellow writers and help them improve their stories.
As much as we love the inclusivity of online events, nothing replaces the warmth of an in-person gathering over wine and nibbles in the cosy premises of AWA where we recently hosted Clare Baldwin as she spoke with Treena Nairne about her sometimes harrowing pursuit of truths when they mattered most.
New Members
Since our last newsletter, four new members have joined us: Ruth Henderson, Such Kaushiva, Vicko Leung and Sabina Wong. Prime Sarmiento has rejoined us.
Vicko Leung
Vicko has nurtured a passion for writing as means of self-expression. She also enjoys studying languages, seeing it as another way to explore the world.
Sabina Wong
Sabina is a painter who works mainly in oils. Previously, she was associate editor at local Hong Kong magazine Baccarat, and also authored and illustrated a series of travel guides, “Fun Excursions in Hong Kong”. She is now exploring writing as a new creative space and is excited to join WiPS.