In 2018, Maisie Chan offered one year's free mentoring to an unagented British Chinese novelist. The connections she made led to the creation of the Bubble Tea Writers Network, for ESEA writers and creatives. Join Maisie as she discusses her journey from scared aspiring writer to multi-award winning children's author and how the power of community can lift us all.

Dragons are cool but the ESEA bestiary is packed with plenty of other cool mythic creatures: headless horses, white snakes, zodiac animals, ghosts and demons. And what about hydrogen punk cities, mysterious landscapes and bewildering islands? Come for a big explore with an exciting selection of authors for all ages.
Chaired by Anne Chen
With Eva Wong Nava, Mina Ikemoto Ghosh, Maisie Chan and Eliza Chan

This panel explores the crucial role of inclusion in storytelling. Children’s book editors, authors, illustrators will discuss how diverse representation fosters empathy, broadens perspectives, and enriches young minds. Discover strategies for creating inclusive narratives that reflect the varied experiences of all children.
Chaired by Wendy Shakespeare
With Candy Gourlay, Natelle Quek, Nadia Mikail, Sojung Kim-McCarthy

Take a breather, nibble a sandwich, hang out, meet everybody, and keep nibbling while having fun with our ESEA illustrators at our Comics Jam 

Join us for a fun and creative session of comics round robin! This is a hands-on session where we’ll be making 4-panel comics with a twist. Come watch our illustrators in a quickfire round of comics drawing, and then have a go yourself! Paper and pens will be provided. Please note that this is NOT a "Learn to Draw" workshop, but rather serving as a relaxing drawing session for anyone who'd like to get some creative juices flowing in between the panel discussions.
With Illustrators Natelle Quek, Emma Farrarons, Sojung Kim-McCarthy and The Mollusc Dimension 

Whether set in glitzy Hollywood or the domestic  home, the commercial crime genre allows us to discuss some very real issues. Meet some ESEA women authors whose page turners will have you reading long into the night.
Chaired by Winnie M. Li
With Tania Tay, Callie Kazumi, Ivy Ngeow

A chance to chat, to buy books and get them signed, perchance to try out some East Asian snacks

Multiple and mixed heritage in storytelling – how do you depict the experience of multiple ethnicity and growing up mixed race? How do you navigate rejection and inclusion? How do you market your author identity when your multiple selves are not easily categorised?
Chaired by Mina Ikemoto Ghosh
With Alex Barrow, Lui Sit, Anna Sulan Masing and Emma Farrarons

Living in diaspora, experiencing the colonial paradox, these poets find the words to represent the ESEA experience in the United Kingdom. 
Chaired by Cristina Juan
With Hongwei Bao, Khairani Barokka, Stephanie Sy-Quia