Richmond's Writer-in-Residence

Now in its 14th year, the Richmond Writer-in-Residence program fosters a greater appreciation for Canadian writers and creative writing through hands-on workshops, mentorship and public events. This annual program is a collaboration between the City of Richmond and Richmond Public Library.

Aaron Chan is a musician, filmmaker and writer born and raised on unceded Coast Salish territories (Vancouver, BC). A child of Chinese immigrants, he attended Point Grey Secondary School where he participated in the New Shoots creative writing mentorship program. He holds a BFA from the University of British Columbia and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of California Riverside. 

Aaron is the author of This City Is a Minefield (Signal 8 Press), a memoir in essays about growing up gay and Asian in Vancouver, the children’s picture book The Broken Heart (Rocky Pond Books) and the self-published poetry chapbook Romantic Hopeless. Passionate about supporting aspiring and emerging writers, as an educator, Aaron designed and led a year-long series of creative nonfiction workshop courses for undergraduate students at UCR and has taught workshops at the Vancouver Public Library. 

Aaron's writing has been published in literary magazines, publications and anthologies including Ricepaper, Plenitude, filling Station, Polychrome Ink and Xtra. The winner of subTerrain‘s Lush Triumphant Literary Award in Creative Non-Fiction, he is also the recipient of the L.M. and Marcia McQuern Endowed Graduate Award in Non-Fiction Writing. His piece “Quiz” was longlisted for the 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize.

Currently, Aaron lives in East Van and likes cats and vegan pastries.

Aaron will lead a variety of free public programs designed to encourage literary exploration, creativity and connection, including:

Opening Event - Meet Aaron Chan (All Ages)

Richmond’s Writer-in-Residence program will officially launch in 2026 with an opportunity to meet Aaron Chan, ask questions and learn more about the upcoming programming he has planned.

Sat, Apr 4
2:00-3:30pm
Richmond Cultural Centre Annex – Living Room
Drop-in

Workshop - The Hermit Crab Essay (Ages 16+)

Discover the hermit crab essay, a story told through the shell of an existing form of writing, such as a recipe or a nutrition label. This form is fun, intriguing and full of endless possibilities. Learn the basics of how to structure a hermit crab essay and get some hands-on opportunities to experiment, practice and share.

3 sessions: Tue, Apr 7, Tue, May 5 or Wed, May 20
7:00-8:30pm
Richmond Cultural Centre Annex – Creativity Lab
Register: Apr 7 - Course ID: 00488554
May 5 - Course ID: 00488556
May 20 - Course ID: 00488559

Workshop - Fundamentals of Storytelling (Ages 16+)

Oftentimes, it is understood that writers simply know the elements of a story, even if they can’t identify them. Explore the fundamentals of writing stories, fiction and narrative nonfiction alike, while learning about literary elements such as setting, plot, scene-work and character transformation in this workshop that includes writing time.

3 sessions: Wed, Apr 8, Wed, Apr 15 or Wed, Apr 29
7:00-8:30pm
Brighouse Library – Program Room (2nd floor)
Register: Workshop at Richmond Public Library (registration opening soon)

Workshop - The Magic of Words (Ages 16+)

How is it possible to make a reader care about a protagonist’s experience? How can a sense of atmosphere be conveyed in a scene? Through a series of short exercises, learn how to choose the right words to make the reader feel what you want them to feel – a feat nothing short of magic.

Series: Tue, Apr 14-28
7:00-8:30pm
Brighouse Library – Program Room (2nd floor)
Register: Workshop at Richmond Public Library (registration opening soon)

Workshop - Writing Queer Joy (Ages 19+)

Using popular songs and media as examples, learn to craft a written piece that celebrates queer joy in this supportive, interactive workshop.

2 sessions: Wed, Apr 22 or Tue, Jun 2
7:00-8:30pm
Branscombe House
Register: Apr 22 - Course ID: 00488565
Jun 2 - Course ID: 00488569

Workshop - Creative Nonfiction Tour (Ages 16+)

Take a tour through the world of creative nonfiction and explore subgenres such as memoir, personal essay and literary journalism.

Series: Tue, May 5-19
7:00-8:30pm
Brighouse Library – Program Room (2nd floor)
Register: Workshop at Richmond Public Library (registration opening soon)

Asian Writers’ Social (Ages 19+)

Calling all Asian writers! Interested in meeting other self-identifying Asian writers in a casual setting? Drop in and share work, exchange writing tips and advice, socialize and be inspired by fellow writers.

Sat, May 9
2:00-4:00pm
Richmond Cultural Centre – Fabric Arts Studio (2nd floor)
Register: Course ID: 00488577

Author Q&A – A Literary AMA with Aaron Chan (Ages 16+)

Got a question for the Writer-in-Residence? Curious how Aaron got his children’s picture book, The Broken Heart, published with Penguin Random House or what advice he has to combat writers’ block? Ask your burning literary questions in this Q&A-format AMA (Ask Me Anything). Bring questions to the event or submit them in advance to WriterinResidence@richmond.ca.

Tue, May 19 
7:00-8:30pm
Richmond Cultural Centre Annex – Creativity Lab
Register: Course ID: 00488572

Workshop - Writing for Rebels: Breaking the Rules (Ages 16+)

There is a saying that once you know the rules, you can break them. Experiment with literary elements such as structure, form and point of view in this fun and engaging workshop that will encourage taking risks and playing with writing to create exciting, adventurous and unique works.

3 sessions: Wed, May 27, Wed, Jun 3 or Wed, Jun 10
7:00-8:30pm
Brighouse Library – Program Room (2nd floor)
Register: Workshop at Richmond Public Library (registration opening soon)

Author Panel - Telling Stories from the Margins (All Ages)

In recent years, the North American literary landscape has seen an increase in diverse voices, yet representation still has a long way to go. Hear from a panel who will discuss working in an industry that has historically excluded people like them and their writing.

Sat, May 30
2:00-3:30pm
Richmond Cultural Centre – Theatre Under the Stairs
Drop-in

Workshop - Writing Queer Joy (Ages 13-18)

Using popular songs and media as examples, learn to craft a written piece that celebrates queer joy in this supportive, interactive workshop.

Thu, Jun 11
4:00-5:30pm
Brighouse Library – Kids’ Program Room
Register: Workshop at Richmond Public Library (registration opening soon)

Queer Writers’ Social (Ages 19+)

Calling all 2SLGBTQ+ writers! Interested in meeting other queer writers in a casual setting? Drop in and share work, exchange writing tips and advice, socialize and be inspired by fellow writers.

Sat, Jun 13
2:00-4:00pm
Richmond Cultural Centre – Fabric Arts Studio (2nd floor)
Register: Course ID: 00488579

Closing Event - A Celebration of Learning (All Ages)

Aaron Chan’s residency will come to a close with an event featuring readings and reflection. Registrants of the 2026 Writer-in-Residence programs are invited to share their writing and celebrate their learning with an audience of fellow students, friends and family. Details of the closing event will be shared with workshop participants directly.       

The shared building of Richmond Public Library – Brighouse Branch and the Richmond Cultural Centre serves as the program’s home base, with some events also hosted at Branscombe House in Steveston. Easily accessible by transit, these vibrant spaces offer opportunities for community members to engage with the literary arts.

Richmond Public Library (RPL) has been proudly serving the Richmond community since 1976. RPL offers four branches as well as two book dispensers, is open 7 days a week, and offers a wealth of information which is available 24/7 at yourlibrary.ca. Its mission is to create opportunities for the community to learn, connect and belong. Click here to read more.

7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond, BC V6Y 1R8
Map: Richmond Public Library – Brighouse Branch

The Richmond Cultural Centre and Annex is the City’s arts education and creation hub for programs, events, organizations and artists. Arts Programs in the Richmond Cultural Centre include a variety of courses taught by accomplished artist instructors. It is also home to a number of local Resident Arts Groups, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond Museum, City of Richmond Archives and more. Click here to read more.Click here to read more.

7700 Minoru Gate
Richmond, BC V6Y 1R8
Map: Richmond Cultural Centre and Annex

Branscombe House is a recently restored Edwardian-style structure located at a prominent intersection in the residential area of Steveston. One of the earliest settler homes built in the area, the house is significant for its historical association to the development of the area, both as a residential building and through its connection to the Branscombe family’s general store which was located in the young town of Steveston. It reflects the pattern of commercial and related residential development that occurred early in Steveston’s history. Click here to read more.

4900 Steveston Highway
Richmond BC V7E 2K3
Map: Branscombe House

Richmond Public Library (RPL) has been proudly serving the Richmond community since 1976. RPL offers four branches as well as two book dispensers, is open 7 days a week, and offers a wealth of information which is available 24/7 at yourlibrary.ca. Its mission is to create opportunities for the community to learn, connect and belong.

Richmond Cultural Centre is the City’s arts education and creation hub for programs, events, organizations and artists. Arts Programs in the Richmond Cultural Centre include a variety of courses taught by accomplished artist instructors. It is also home to a number of local Resident Arts Groups, Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond Museum, City of Richmond Archives and more.

Past Richmond Writers-in-Residence include: Taslim Jaffer Audrey Thomas, Lindi Nolte, Sonya Lalli, Lindsay Wong, Cynthia Sharp, Andrew Battershill, Nilofar Shidmehr, Karen X. Tulchinsky, Sally Stubbs, Mark Leiren-Young, Nancy Lee and Caroline Adderson

Applications are now closed for Richmond's 2026 Writer-in-Residence. The Call for Expression of Interest for Richmond's 2027 Writer-in-Residence will be available in 2026.