Emma Pei Yin, an Australian-Chinese writer and editor, joins us to discuss her novel When Sleeping Women Wake. The book follows the lives of three women who fled to Hong Kong under British colonial rule when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded the city, and the talk will explore historical fiction as a genre that navigates documented history and narrative reconstruction. Emma will be in conversation with Dr Antony Huen, followed by an audience Q&A. This session is a collaboration with the Hong Kong International Literary Festival (March 1-8, 2026).
Date: March 6, 2026 (Friday)
Time: 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Venue: HKU Black Box, Room 54, LG/F, Centennial Campus, HKU (Location map)
Registration is required and no walk-ins are allowed due to limited seatings. Successful registrants will be informed in due course.
- For HKU members (HKU Portal login is required): https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=105468
- For non-HKU members: https://www.eventbrite.hk/e/talk-black-box-writers-series-emma-pei-yin-tickets-1981554224026
Emma is an Australian-Chinese writer and editor. Her debut novel, When Sleeping Women Wake, has been published globally, translated into multiple languages. It was longlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize (2025) and shortlisted for the Australian Indie Book Awards (2026). She is the founder of yinfluence editorial, an agency supporting PoC, queer and neurodivergent writers by connecting them with editors and mentors who understand the stakes of telling stories from the margins. She also co-hosts Served With Rice Poddy, a cultural podcast and visual series that centres conversations about books, publishing, identity and community through food-infused discussion.
The Black Box Writers’ Series celebrates creative voices and craft, with a focus on writers and works with local connections. Featured guests present their latest work and discuss their creative practice with the moderator and audience. All are welcome.
Convenor & Moderator: Dr Antony Huen
The Hong Kong International Literary Festival inspires the joy of reading by bringing the world’s writers and stories to Hong Kong’s diverse communities. A dynamic year-round programme and an annual festival offer dialogue, entertainment and perspective, while the Young Readers Festival motivates students to engage with all aspects of the written word, improving communication skills, while nurturing the art of writing and storytelling. The annual festival features established and emerging writers from around the world, alongside local literary talents, in a programme that includes panel discussions, book talks, readings, workshops, walks, school programmes, performances, and more.
HKILF is a registered charity non-profit organisation championing stories, words and language in Hong Kong. To find out more, please visit their official website: https://www.festival.org.hk.
More information about Emma Pei Yin can be viewed from here.