Synopsis:

Have burning questions about the world of writing? Join us for an intimate and in-depth session with Kirstin Chen, a Singaporean-born author and New York Times-bestselling novelist. Gain insights and learn from her experiences navigating the life of a writer, from building to sustaining a successful career as an author. This talk will be moderated by Max Pasakorn.

Possible Topics for the Fireside Chat:
On MFAs/MAs:

Should you pursue (MFA) in Creative Writing?
What are the pros and cons and how does it contribute to a sustainable writing life?
What are the other pathways?

On Agents and Editors:

Where to start looking?
How do you identify the right agent/editor for yourself or your work?
What to prepare?

On Writing Community:

Why is it important to have one?
How to start one?

Attendees may submit their questions prior to the session upon registration or during the Q&A session itself on the day. While every effort will be made to answer all questions, it depends on the available time, and some questions may be grouped together.

About trainer:
Kirstin Chen is the New York Times bestselling author of three novels. Her latest, Counterfeit, is a Reese Witherspoon book club pick, a Roxane Gay book club pick, and a New York Times Editors' Choice. It has also been recommended by The Washington Post, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, Time, Oprah Daily, Harper's Bazaar, and more. Translation rights have sold in seven languages and television rights have been optioned by Sony Pictures. Her previous two novels are Bury What We Cannot Take and Soy Sauce for Beginners.

About moderator:
Max Pasakorn (he/she/they, in no particular order) is a queer writer of creative nonfiction and poetry who has lived in Thailand, Singapore and the United States.Max's debut nonfiction chapbook, A Study in Our Selves, won the OutWrite 2022 Chapbook Competition (Nonfiction) selected by Joseph Osmundson and was published by Neon Hemlock Press in 2023. Max's other writing has been published or is forthcoming in venues such as Foglifter Press, Speculative Nonfiction, SUSPECT Journal of Asian Writing and Art, Eunoia Review, Strange Horizons, Honey Literary and Chestnut Review.Read more about Max at www.maxpasakorn.works