This writing playshop is an invitation for storytellers from Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities to explore the visible and invisible borders that shape who we are – the lines between cultures, languages, bodies, and belonging – and the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves.
In Dispersals: On Plants, Borders, and Belonging, Jessica J. Lee writes, "To speak of margins is to speak of edges, of borders. A word that tastes of paper but also of place.” The word also implicates our bodies. Through guided prompts and embodied storytelling, we’ll write to centre the margin, imagining what it means to live beyond the lines.
No writing experience necessary. Only an open heart and an open mind with a readiness to give and receive vulnerability. We’ve carefully and intentionally designed a space that is intimate, supportive, and generative. All you need is a steady Internet connection to join us online, some paper, and a pen.
This class is offered in partnership with the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society.
Date & Time: Wednesday, March 18 at 5pm-8pm PT | 6pm-9pm MT | 7pm-10pm CT | 8pm-11pm ET | 9pm-12am AT
Location: Online
AWCS Member Price: $60.00
AWCS Non-Member Price: $80.00
ABOUT FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY
The Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society is community that thrives on support and encouragement. Based on the philosophy of "no writer left behind", the J. Michael Fay Subsidy Program is available to anyone who finds themselves in financial need but really wants or needs to participate in one our programs are classes. Click link above for more details and to apply.
About Your Facilitator: Justine Abigail Yu
Justine Abigail Yu is the founder of Living Hyphen. She is an award-winning workshop facilitator whose work with Living Hyphen has been featured on national and local media outlets including the Globe & Mail, CTV National News, and the CBC. She was named a “Changemaker” by the Toronto Star in October 2021.
Justine Abigail is a fierce advocate for diversity and representation in Canada’s arts and literature scene. Her mission is to stir the conscience and spur social change.
Follow her work at justineabigail.com or across socials at @justineabigail.
About the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society
Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) was started by a small group of writers, led by J. Michael Fay, who had been running creative writing classes out of the basement of the Alexandra Centre in the Inglewood neighbourhood in Calgary, Alberta. The AWCS has always been a place for writers to gather and support one another on the creative writing journey.
It doesn't matter if you're writing for something to do, overcoming trauma, creating a legacy project or want to become a published poet, novelist, short story writer. AWCS has something for everyone. .