MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2004

The Asian Canadian Writers’ Workshop presents its 3^rd annual Community Builders Awards

Dinner on November 6, 2004 in recognition of the continued success and influence of Asian Canadian writers and publishers in Canada. The 2004 ACWW Community Builders Awards recipients are pioneer Asian Canadian writer Joy Kogawa and publisher Scott McIntyre of the Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group.

Margaret Gallagher (CBC Radio) will be our special host for the evening.

This year’s event also includes a special publishing information Workshop at 4:00pm (on the same day at the restaurant) entitled “After signing on the dotted line: The editing process from the publisher's point of view” led by Douglas & McIntyre’s Senior Editor, Saeko Usukawa. The topic “What happens after your manuscript is accepted by a publisher?” will be examined and explained. This workshop is free to all ACWW members and all dinner guests. There is a $10 charge for non-members and those not attending the dinner.

Joy Kogawa, born in Vancouver in 1935, is one of Canada’s most significant writers. Her novel, Obasan tells the story of the Japanese Canadian internment through the eyes of a child. Obasan has been named the eleventh most influential novel of the twentieth century by “Quill and Quire”. Joy Kogawa was awarded the Order of Canada in 1998. The clarity of her poetry and prose continues to influence a new generation of young minds.

Scott McIntyre, born in 1944 and raised in Vancouver, graduated from the University of British Columbia with an honours fine arts degree in 1965. He entered publishing at McClelland & Stewart in Toronto in 1967, returning to Vancouver early in 1970 to join Jim Douglas and to co-found the next year what has become Douglas & McIntyre. He is Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group’s current President and CEO. Douglas & McIntyre has had a long-standing and continuing commitment to publishing the voices of Asian Canadian writers.

The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society/explorASIAN is a Community Partner for this special celebration.

When: Saturday – November 6, 2004

Workshop from 4:00 to 6:00pm Cash Bar Reception at 6:00pm – Dinner starts at 6:30pm

Where: Fraser Flamingo Restaurant – 3469 Fraser Street, Vancouver Phone: 604.877.1231

What: Publishing Workshop, 10 Course Chinese Banquet Style Dinner, Book Signing, Door Prizes

Tickets: $50/person. Bonus offer – Receive a one year gift subscription to Ricepaper Magazine

$10/person for the Publishing Workshop only.

Advance Tickets can be purchased from ACWW, Ricepaper Magazine, and the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. Limited number of tickets available at the door. Last year’s dinner was a sold out event so get your tickets early. Groups of 10 can reserve tables in advance for priority seating. Payment in advance for group tables is required. No refunds. VISA accepted. Please call 604.488.0119 to pay by VISA. For more detailed information, please visit our website: www.asiancanadianwritersworkshop.com

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