This event will take place on the unceeded, traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) peoples. The event is for people of all genders and non conforming folks. The event is wheelchair accessible and asks you to be mindful of using scents. If you have any accessibility needs for this events, please email sasc@ams.ubc.ca

Amber Dawn is a writer living on unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, Canada). Her memoir How Poetry Saved My Life: A Hustler’s Memoir won the 2013 Vancouver Book Award. She is the author of the Lambda Award-winning novel Sub Rosa, and editor of the anthologies Fist of the Spider Women: Fear and Queer Desire and With A Rough Tongue. Her newest book Where the words and my body begins is a collection of glosa form poems. She currently teaches creative writing at Douglas College and the University of British Columbia, as well as volunteer mentors at several community-driven art and healing spaces.

Creative Self-Care is intended for anyone interested in using creative writing for personal reflection and self-care.

Through a series of guided writing prompts and voluntary peer-to-peer discussion, workshop participants will explore potent overlaps between the personal and the creative.

Thematically, the exercises will encourage participants to write about personal strengths and values, choice and desire, and personal memory and past events. This is a process-based workshop—meaning there are no “right or wrong” ways to approach the exercises, and no pressure on the outcomes of the writing. Sharing is always optional.

Bring your preferred writing tools — paper and pen or a laptop — and a willingness to help create a confidential, safer environment.

As this event has limited capacity, please email sasc@ams.ubc.ca to register.