Emma Pei Yin explores how histories of sex work, sexual coercion and gendered labour are often lived not through clarity or explanation, but through pressure, routine and silence—particularly in wartime contexts. Drawing on her novel When Sleeping Women Wake and the work of writers including Iris Chang, Lisa See, Jing-Jing Lee, and Lynn Bracht, Emma will examine how shifts in daily life and relationships can function as historical clues rather than missing pieces of the record. There will also be a short, low-pressure writing and reflection exercise that invite participants to think carefully about how history first shows up in ordinary life. No prior writing experience is required, and participants are not expected to share their work. Emma Pei Yin appears courtesy of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival. All are welcome. Registration is required. 

Author bio: Emma Pei Yin 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).