WLT Saturday Craft Seminar: “Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird” with Henry Lien
July 12, 2025 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
$35.00
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A few times a year, the WLT hosts Saturday Craft Seminars featuring a presentation and conversation with an author who has recently released a book on the craft of writing. Everyone who buys a ticket will receive a copy of the book, access to the live event on Zoom (see below for full details), and access to the event recording to watch (and rewatch) for one month.
NOTE: If you are registered for the 2025 Summer Writing Retreat you are already registered for this event and do not need to purchase a ticket. Have questions about whether this applies to you? Reach out to us at wlt@writersleague.org.
In July, join us for a virtual presentation and conversation featuring Henry Lien, author of the newly released Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling.
Author and writing instructor Henry Lien will explore how storytelling staples in the West, such as the three-act structure and themes of empowerment and change, are far from universal. He will introduce the East Asian four-act structure (kishōtenketsu), as well as circular and nested structures, and explain how Eastern value systems such as collectivism can dictate story structures, using examples ranging from the film Parasite to The 1,001 Nights to the Mario video game franchise.
The presentation will be followed by a conversation with Henry Lien and an audience Q&A session.
About the Book:
An introduction to Eastern storytelling that opens readers’ minds to radically different ways of telling a satisfying story:
Discussions in the West around diversity in the arts often focus on the identities of characters and creators. Speculative fiction author and writing instructor Henry Lien makes the pathbreaking argument that diversity is about more than just plopping different faces into stories that are 100 percent Western in spirit; it can—and should—encompass diverse structures, themes, and values. He introduces the East Asian four-act structure (kishotenketsu), as well as circular and nested structures, and explains how Eastern value systems such as collectivism can dictate form. Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird is essential reading for any writer or reader who wants to broaden their understanding of how to tell a satisfying story.
Additional details regarding receiving the book:
All ticket holders residing within the United States will have the option of receiving a physical copy or ebook. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer a complimentary book to registrants outside of the United States unless you can provide a US mailing address.
All information needed to send books to attendees will be collected at check out. Please be sure to answer every question and to fill out your information carefully before confirming your ticket purchase. An email will be sent to all ticket holders when books are available. Depending on available stock and the date a ticket is purchased, some books will be available after the date of the event but every effort will be made to make books available in a timely manner.
Featured Presenter(s)
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Henry Lien is a graduate of Brown University, UCLA School of Law, and Clarion West Writers’ Workshop. He is the author of the Peasprout Chen fantasy series and the non-fiction book Spring, Summer, Asteroid, Bird: The Art of Eastern Storytelling. His books have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, and New York Times acclaim. His writing has appeared in publications including Literary Hub, Poets & Writers, Asimov’s, Analog, and F&SF, and he is a four-time Nebula Award finalist. Henry also teaches for institutions including the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, the University of Iowa, Clarion West, and Writing the Other. He won the UCLA Extension Department of the Arts Outstanding Instructor of the Year Award. Henry has previously worked as an attorney and fine art dealer. Born in Taiwan, Henry currently lives in Hollywood, California. Hobbies include writing and performing campy anthems for his books and losing Nebula Awards. www.henrylien.com
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The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
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If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
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Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.