
2026 Harwood-Cole Literary Lecture: Vanessa Hua
Award-winning novelist and San Francisco Chronicle columnist Vanessa Hua reads excerpts and discusses her writing life, Asian American storytelling, and craft in a free public lecture.
Similar Events

An evening memorial reading and author talk with poet Jennifer Sperry Steinorth, with selections from her award recognized books and graphic poem work. Gather in a campus student union room for contemporary poetry and literary community connection.

An evening memorial reading and author talk with poet Jennifer Sperry Steinorth, with selections from her award recognized books and graphic poem work. Gather in a campus student union room for contemporary poetry and literary community connection.
An evening memorial reading and author talk with poet Jennifer Sperry Steinorth, with selections from her award recognized books and graphic poem work. Gather in a campus student union room for contemporary poetry and literary community connection.

Monthly narrative-arts salon tackling common creativity blocks through a focused workshop topic like “Feeding the Muse.” Bring a work in progress to share, get feedback, and connect with other local writers in an intimate parlor setting.

Monthly narrative-arts salon tackling common creativity blocks through a focused workshop topic like “Feeding the Muse.” Bring a work in progress to share, get feedback, and connect with other local writers in an intimate parlor setting.
Monthly narrative-arts salon tackling common creativity blocks through a focused workshop topic like “Feeding the Muse.” Bring a work in progress to share, get feedback, and connect with other local writers in an intimate parlor setting.

Monthly evening salon digs into creativity roadblocks through guided discussion and prompts, with a chance to share works in progress. September’s “Feeding the Muse” session blends narrative arts, peer feedback, and creative momentum in an intimate parlor setting.

Monthly evening salon digs into creativity roadblocks through guided discussion and prompts, with a chance to share works in progress. September’s “Feeding the Muse” session blends narrative arts, peer feedback, and creative momentum in an intimate parlor setting.
Monthly evening salon digs into creativity roadblocks through guided discussion and prompts, with a chance to share works in progress. September’s “Feeding the Muse” session blends narrative arts, peer feedback, and creative momentum in an intimate parlor setting.

An evening author event at an indie bookstore with readings, conversation, and a book signing with Lindsay Branham and Sonya Renee Taylor. Expect thoughtful discussion centered on writing, culture, and social justice themes in an intimate literary setting.

An evening author event at an indie bookstore with readings, conversation, and a book signing with Lindsay Branham and Sonya Renee Taylor. Expect thoughtful discussion centered on writing, culture, and social justice themes in an intimate literary setting.
An evening author event at an indie bookstore with readings, conversation, and a book signing with Lindsay Branham and Sonya Renee Taylor. Expect thoughtful discussion centered on writing, culture, and social justice themes in an intimate literary setting.

Imaginative creative-writing session built around playful prompts and page-turning story ideas in a supportive group setting. Expect quick writes, sharing (optional), and craft tips to spark new scenes, characters, and drafts.

Imaginative creative-writing session built around playful prompts and page-turning story ideas in a supportive group setting. Expect quick writes, sharing (optional), and craft tips to spark new scenes, characters, and drafts.
Imaginative creative-writing session built around playful prompts and page-turning story ideas in a supportive group setting. Expect quick writes, sharing (optional), and craft tips to spark new scenes, characters, and drafts.

A science and humanities talk blending flood hydrology with Appalachian storytelling, unpacking how steep ridges, narrow valleys, and limited buildable land intensify regional flood risk. Research insights connect changing floods to community history and literary representations.

A science and humanities talk blending flood hydrology with Appalachian storytelling, unpacking how steep ridges, narrow valleys, and limited buildable land intensify regional flood risk. Research insights connect changing floods to community history and literary representations.
A science and humanities talk blending flood hydrology with Appalachian storytelling, unpacking how steep ridges, narrow valleys, and limited buildable land intensify regional flood risk. Research insights connect changing floods to community history and literary representations.

A campus author talk connecting bird names and birding culture to pivotal shifts in English, blending etymology, history, and naturalist observation. Designed for word nerds and bird nerds in an accessible university forum setting.

A campus author talk connecting bird names and birding culture to pivotal shifts in English, blending etymology, history, and naturalist observation. Designed for word nerds and bird nerds in an accessible university forum setting.
A campus author talk connecting bird names and birding culture to pivotal shifts in English, blending etymology, history, and naturalist observation. Designed for word nerds and bird nerds in an accessible university forum setting.

A peacebuilding talk on Israel Palestine focused on nonviolence, dialogue, and shared humanity, led by Aziz Abu Sarah, co author of “The Future Is Peace.” Q and A style discussion and an on site book signing follow in a campus student union setting.

A peacebuilding talk on Israel Palestine focused on nonviolence, dialogue, and shared humanity, led by Aziz Abu Sarah, co author of “The Future Is Peace.” Q and A style discussion and an on site book signing follow in a campus student union setting.
A peacebuilding talk on Israel Palestine focused on nonviolence, dialogue, and shared humanity, led by Aziz Abu Sarah, co author of “The Future Is Peace.” Q and A style discussion and an on site book signing follow in a campus student union setting.

An afternoon campus talk on disability culture, access, and arts activism led by artist advocates Gaelynn Lea and Kalyn Rose Heffernan. The evening shifts into a free Wheelchair Sports Camp performance with sharp, intimate songwriting and violin-driven indie energy.

An afternoon campus talk on disability culture, access, and arts activism led by artist advocates Gaelynn Lea and Kalyn Rose Heffernan. The evening shifts into a free Wheelchair Sports Camp performance with sharp, intimate songwriting and violin-driven indie energy.
An afternoon campus talk on disability culture, access, and arts activism led by artist advocates Gaelynn Lea and Kalyn Rose Heffernan. The evening shifts into a free Wheelchair Sports Camp performance with sharp, intimate songwriting and violin-driven indie energy.
Intimate author conversation with Abrea Armstrong and Tamara Olmedo (Cuentos & Cafe) centered on “book tea” and liberation-minded storytelling. Expect a community-forward literary night in an independent bookstore setting.
Intimate author conversation with Abrea Armstrong and Tamara Olmedo (Cuentos & Cafe) centered on “book tea” and liberation-minded storytelling. Expect a community-forward literary night in an independent bookstore setting.
Intimate author conversation with Abrea Armstrong and Tamara Olmedo (Cuentos & Cafe) centered on “book tea” and liberation-minded storytelling. Expect a community-forward literary night in an independent bookstore setting.
An in person personal storytelling talk with Aisha Adams, reflecting on pivotal life moments and the experiences that shaped her path. Expect an intimate library setting focused on inspiration, community listening, and discussion.
An in person personal storytelling talk with Aisha Adams, reflecting on pivotal life moments and the experiences that shaped her path. Expect an intimate library setting focused on inspiration, community listening, and discussion.
An in person personal storytelling talk with Aisha Adams, reflecting on pivotal life moments and the experiences that shaped her path. Expect an intimate library setting focused on inspiration, community listening, and discussion.

A gentle, circle-style practice for telling personal stories with clarity and listening with acceptance and empathy. Builds practical communication skills for deeper self-understanding and more connected relationships in everyday life.

A gentle, circle-style practice for telling personal stories with clarity and listening with acceptance and empathy. Builds practical communication skills for deeper self-understanding and more connected relationships in everyday life.
A gentle, circle-style practice for telling personal stories with clarity and listening with acceptance and empathy. Builds practical communication skills for deeper self-understanding and more connected relationships in everyday life.

Gentle, facilitated storytelling practice focused on concise personal narratives and empathetic, acceptance-based listening. A reflective circle designed to build communication skills, deepen self-understanding, and restore connection through shared true stories.

Gentle, facilitated storytelling practice focused on concise personal narratives and empathetic, acceptance-based listening. A reflective circle designed to build communication skills, deepen self-understanding, and restore connection through shared true stories.
Gentle, facilitated storytelling practice focused on concise personal narratives and empathetic, acceptance-based listening. A reflective circle designed to build communication skills, deepen self-understanding, and restore connection through shared true stories.

Hands-on poetry writing practice in a calm, intimate studio setting, mixing prompts, gentle critique, and craft discussion. A weekly creative circle geared toward building voice, revision skills, and supportive community.

Hands-on poetry writing practice in a calm, intimate studio setting, mixing prompts, gentle critique, and craft discussion. A weekly creative circle geared toward building voice, revision skills, and supportive community.
Hands-on poetry writing practice in a calm, intimate studio setting, mixing prompts, gentle critique, and craft discussion. A weekly creative circle geared toward building voice, revision skills, and supportive community.

A poetry primer centered on the craft of paying close attention, using curiosity and mindful observation to spark new writing. Expect a discussion-based, intimate literary salon vibe with prompts and shared reflection.

A poetry primer centered on the craft of paying close attention, using curiosity and mindful observation to spark new writing. Expect a discussion-based, intimate literary salon vibe with prompts and shared reflection.
A poetry primer centered on the craft of paying close attention, using curiosity and mindful observation to spark new writing. Expect a discussion-based, intimate literary salon vibe with prompts and shared reflection.

Hands-on memoir writing session built around personal storytelling, memory prompts, and craft techniques for shaping lived experience into scenes and narrative arcs. Supportive, community-focused workshop in an intimate listening-room setting.

Hands-on memoir writing session built around personal storytelling, memory prompts, and craft techniques for shaping lived experience into scenes and narrative arcs. Supportive, community-focused workshop in an intimate listening-room setting.
Hands-on memoir writing session built around personal storytelling, memory prompts, and craft techniques for shaping lived experience into scenes and narrative arcs. Supportive, community-focused workshop in an intimate listening-room setting.

Monthly small-group discussion centered on the club’s selected title, with an easygoing, conversational vibe. Readers gather at the library to share reactions, themes, and favorite passages in a community setting.

Monthly small-group discussion centered on the club’s selected title, with an easygoing, conversational vibe. Readers gather at the library to share reactions, themes, and favorite passages in a community setting.
Monthly small-group discussion centered on the club’s selected title, with an easygoing, conversational vibe. Readers gather at the library to share reactions, themes, and favorite passages in a community setting.

Debut memoir launch with an author talk on a trail journey and the inspiration behind the story, followed by an audience Q and A. Paperback copies are for sale on site with a post talk signing and meet and greet.

Debut memoir launch with an author talk on a trail journey and the inspiration behind the story, followed by an audience Q and A. Paperback copies are for sale on site with a post talk signing and meet and greet.
Debut memoir launch with an author talk on a trail journey and the inspiration behind the story, followed by an audience Q and A. Paperback copies are for sale on site with a post talk signing and meet and greet.

Facilitated storytelling practice focused on shaping personal narratives with concise, effective communication while others listen with acceptance and empathy. A morning session centered on deep listening, connection building, and self understanding in a supportive circle.

Facilitated storytelling practice focused on shaping personal narratives with concise, effective communication while others listen with acceptance and empathy. A morning session centered on deep listening, connection building, and self understanding in a supportive circle.
Facilitated storytelling practice focused on shaping personal narratives with concise, effective communication while others listen with acceptance and empathy. A morning session centered on deep listening, connection building, and self understanding in a supportive circle.
Heartfelt book launch and signing centered on grief, healing, spiritual transformation, and unexpected signs. Meet the author for readings and conversation in a cozy beverage bar setting with community connection.
Heartfelt book launch and signing centered on grief, healing, spiritual transformation, and unexpected signs. Meet the author for readings and conversation in a cozy beverage bar setting with community connection.
Heartfelt book launch and signing centered on grief, healing, spiritual transformation, and unexpected signs. Meet the author for readings and conversation in a cozy beverage bar setting with community connection.