Mongrel International Inc.
Literary Services
2026 EXCLUSIVE, SMALL-GROUP WORKSHOPS
XU leads exclusive, small-group, manuscript workshops in prose on writing across cultures
by invitation (or application) only
Anyone who writes between cultures & languages understands the challenge the English language poses. Not only is there a literary history (and canon) that whispers in the background, there's also all that globalized and trans-national, -cultural literature out there to complicate our stories. In this workshop, we focus on those challenges in your own writing and ask ourselves, how do we bypass stereotypes, cliches, conscious or unconscious barriers for our best creative expressions without TMI (too much information). Above all, how do we write the stories that matter most to us that are well crafted, original and (we hope) of enduring value.
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER Live: "Creative writing between cultures & languages in the 21st century"
2 sessions @ 3 hours manuscript workshop (max. 5,000 words) limited to 5 writers - RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY EMAILING mongrelintl@gmail.com
- prose only - fiction / literary & creative nonfiction / hybrid
- each manuscript discussepd approximately 50 minutes (gag rule applies)
- post-workshop written editorial review provided
- reading list provided of 20C & 21C literary works that cross language & cultures
Oct 31 to Nov 1 Sat/Sun in HONG KONG
Manuscript deadline: by no later than 2359 Hrs. U.S. Eastern time Friday October 9 (Deadline for applications is October 3)
Schedule
Saturday October 31
1400 to 1440 - introductions / expectations / discussion - Break
1445 to 1535 – workshop 1st manuscript - Break
1540 to 1630 – workshop 2nd manuscript - Break
1635 to 1700 – discussion & Q&A
Sunday November 1
2:00 to 2:50 pm - workshop 3rd manuscript Break
2:55 to 3:40 pm – workshop 4th manuscript Break
3:45 to 4:35 pm – workshop 5th manuscript Break
4:45 to 5:00 pm – discussion & Q&A
2 price levels
HK $5,100 for workshop & written editorial review only
HK $6,250 for workshop & written editorial review + 1.25 hour in person (or by Zoom) private conference to further discuss any aspect of your writing
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Nov 24 to 25 Tue/Wed in SINGAPORE
Manuscript deadline: by no later than 2359 Hrs. U.S. Eastern time Monday November 2 (Deadline for applications is October 25)
Schedule
Tuesday November 24
6:30 to 7:10 pm - introductions / expectations / discussion - Break
7:15 to 8:05 pm– workshop 1st manuscript - Break
8:10 to 9:00 pm – workshop 2nd manuscript - Break
9:05 to 9:30 pm– discussion & Q&A
Sunday November 1
6:30 to 7:20 pm - workshop 3rd manuscript Break
7:25 to 8:15 pm – workshop 4th manuscript Break
8:20 to 9:00 pm – workshop 5th manuscript Break
9:05 to 9:30 pm – discussion & Q&A
2 price levels
S $725 for workshop & written editorial review only
S $850 for workshop & written editorial review + 1.25 hour in person (or by Zoom) private conference to further discuss any aspect of your writing
NOTE: Any of my former MA/MFA students or editorial clients may reserve space without applying. Writers who have not worked with me before, please email mongrelintl@gmail.com with a brief statement of interest and your writing/publishing experience + a sample of your creative writing (approx. 2,000 words).
Literary Services Payment
Please pay invoices from Mongrel International Inc. via credit card or Paypal at this link. If you have a Paypal or Zelle account you can pay mongrelintl@gmail.com and quote your invoice #.
Out-of-print books available for sale
(in US$ inclusive of tax)
Paperback (plus postage/shipping)
Chinese Walls & Daughters of Hui, compendium edition $10
Overleaf Hong Kong: stories & essays of the Chinese, overseas $10
Evansecent Isles: from my city-village $10
History's Fiction: stories from the city of Hong Kong, 1st ed. $10
Hong Kong Rose, 2nd ed. $5.50
The Unwalled City $12.50
EBooks
Habit of a Foreign Sky $6
Access: Thirteen Tales $7
Insignificance: Hong Kong Stories $7
Monkey in Residence & Other Speculations $7
To order, please email mongrelintl@gmail.com. For paperback orders, please provide mailing address and preferred shipping method: media mail/book rate (within the US only), first class mail, express mail or Fedex/UPS.