Message from the Committee
Hello WiPS Members,
This is our first newsletter as the “new” WiPS committee – with the reins officially handed over. We thank Rinkoo Ramchandani and Gillian Kew for their amazing leadership and contributions over the years.
This spring was a season of in-person gatherings. We celebrated the works of almost 60 WiPS members at the IMPRINT 24 launch – a boisterous bash on a rainy night. This was followed by an intimate evening of conversations and contemplation as our Book Club hosted Katy Phoon, author of A Fine Piece of Jade, at Salon 10. Of course, these were complemented by our monthly online Book Clubs and Writers’ Workshops.
Spring also saw a blossoming of activity on our social media channels. You’ll notice that this newsletter is being delivered via Substack, soon to be followed by select pieces from Imprint 24. In the meantime, follow our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hkwips/ for doses of inspiration (including our members’ favourite quotes on Wednesdays and Terminology Thursdays) and to keep up with your fellow WiPS members!
Your WiPS Committee
Carol Dyer, Erin Chung, Grace Chan, Imogen Short, Polly Yu
Past Events
Launch of Imprint
On 4 March 2026, we were delighted to welcome so many of you to celebrate the launch of the 24th issue of Imprint, our member anthology. An evening of laughter, literature and wonderful company – what more could we have asked for? And with a copy in hand, we wish you happy reading!
If you would like to include your page(s) of IMPRINT 24 on your own social media, we are happy to send you the PDF pages – send us your request through wipshk@gmail.com (including page numbers).
Other Past Events
Even beyond the launch of Imprint 24, it’s been an eventful few months. We kicked things off with our January Book Club, visiting the past through Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. In February, two of our newest members – Alisha and Erin – took a train ride down to the Riverina Reader’s Festival in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, getting the chance to meet the one and only Emma Pei Yin, debut author of When Sleeping Women Wake. They were welcomed by the wonderful organizers of the Reader’s Festival and took a tour of the Museum of the Riverina, learning about the stories of Wagga Wagga and Hong Kong in one memorable day. Continuing along our journey into the past, our February and March Book Clubs discussed 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak and Katy Phoon’s A Fine Piece of Jade, exploring the histories of Istanbul and China through the authors’ eyes. April saw WiPS host an online poetry workshop, an in-person prose workshop, and a discussion of Virginia Woolf’s A Room Of One’s Own. There’s even more in store throughout May and June…
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Thanks to the continual efforts of our sub-committees and your enthusiasm, WiPS’ usual Writing Workshops are sold out in May! Our Book Club has no upper limit and can be registered for here: https://www.hkwips.com/event/bc-may-2026/
Thinking about writing a non-fiction book?
Publishing today involves far more than just writing well. Audience. Positioning. Platform. Credibility. Market fit. Publishers and agents increasingly expect authors to understand all of it.
Join WiPS on Wednesday, 10 June for Publishing Non-Fiction: From Idea to Book Deal, a practical conversation about what it really takes to move a non-fiction book from idea to publication.
Sign up at: https://www.hkwips.com/event/non-fiction-idea-to-book-deal/
WiPS on Substack: Exposing Imprint 24 to a Wider Audience
The WiPS committee has decided to transition towards Substack to support the needs of our growing community. To celebrate the start of this new chapter, we’ll be hosting select pieces from Imprint 24 online, which we hope will give your beautiful works exposure to a wider audience.
If you’ve been featured in Imprint 24 and would like to opt-out of publication on Substack, please email wipshkmarketing@gmail.com on or before 25 May 2026.
Submissions for Imprint 25 are already being accepted on our website until 30 September 2026. We’re very excited to see your names and bylines, both returning and new, so welcome back and welcome aboard!
New Members
Since our last newsletter, we’re delighted to have had 16 new members join us: Ruchi Bhave, Anne Depaulis, Sandra Hacker, Lena Harilela, Yanru Hong, Kit-Ying Kwan, Nissa Kauppila, Alisha Lin, Caitlin Liu, Emma Pei Yin, Kelly Pescod, Nigar Qureshi, Mishi Saran, Vandita Trivedi, Joyce Yung, and Esther Liu.
Nissa Kauppila, a Vermont native residing on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, is an internationally recognized artist whose work uniquely fuses classical Chinese painting techniques with a contemporary, environmentally conscious perspective. Her art emphasizes natural themes, often bringing attention to the overlooked and unassuming aspects of wildlife, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty in the everyday.
Emma Pei Yin is a writer, editor and literary advocate. Her debut novel When Sleeping Women Wake is internationally published and award-listed. She founded yinfluence, supporting marginalized writers and is an Author Advocate for Room to Read. Emma co-hosts Served With Rice Poddy and is currently working on her second novel.
Mishi Saran is an author based in Hong Kong. Her latest book is a novel set in Shanghai in the 1930s, for which she is completing edits. She has also begun a new novel. More information on her work at www.ishisaran.com.
Vandita Trivedi, born in India and primarily based in the United States, she recently relocated to Hong Kong. An entrepreneur, business consultant, trainer and educator with over 30 years of experience, she has also published two children’s books in the U.S. Her creative interests include theatre and cooking. Passionate about the environment and intrigued by AI, she draws daily inspiration from her twin teenage daughters.
Joyce Yung is a Hong Kong-based visual content creator and producer, capturing the city’s energy through spontaneous, versatile photography that highlights everyday beauty, emotion and momentum. A Cornell University graduate who transitioned from finance to photography, she was named a Shutterstock Top 100 Photographer in 2016. Her latest book, Hong Kong in 100 Photos, is a heartfelt visual memoir worldwide.