Writer-in-Residence
2026-27 Writer-in-Residence: Lisa Ko
Lisa Ko is a writer and educator. Their novel Memory Piece (2024) was longlisted for the Joyce Carol Oates Literary Prize, the Gotham Book Prize, and the New American Voices Award, and named one of Barack Obama's favourite books of summer 2024. Ko's best-selling debut novel The Leavers (2017) was a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction and won the PEN/Bellwether Prize. Their essays and short fiction have appeared in Best American Short Stories, McSweeney's, and The Believer. Ko has taught creative writing at the City College of New York, Indiana University, the New School, Queens College, the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, the One Story Summer Writers Conference, Kundiman, and in many community settings.
Office Hours
Meet with Lisa to discuss your creative work.
Appointments are available to members of the Western University and London communities on Tuesdays throughout the Fall and Winter Terms, beginning September 15.
Fall Term Hours
Western University
2:30–5:30 p.m. (by appointment)
Book an appointment
Winter Term Hours
Western University
12:00–3:00 p.m. (by appointment)
Book an appointment
London Public Library – Central Library (Winter term only)
4:00–7:00 p.m. (by appointment)
Book an appointment
Writing Guidelines
Format: Please use standard formats:12 point font, double-spaced, with page numbers. The maximum length of manuscript for any one consultation is 10 pages, poetry 5 pages.
NOTE: Your writing must be sent as an attachment in a word doc or pdf. Please send a week (7 days) in advance of your consultation (or earlier) so I have time to read it and take notes.
When you send your writing, please include 1-3 questions that you have about the writing that you would like me to focus on.
Writer-in-Residence FAQ
How do I make an appointment?
Appointments are available at the following locations:
Western University
12:00–3:00 p.m.
Book an appointment
London Public Library – Central Library
4:00–7:00 p.m.
Book an appointment
After booking your appointment, please email a sample of your work to writerinresidence@uwo.ca at least one week before your scheduled meeting.
How do I submit work?
Once you have scheduled an appointment, please email your work to writerinresidence@uwo.ca.
What kind of work can I submit?
Any kind of creative writing! Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or prose.
How long should the work be that I submit?
Prose (fiction or non-fiction): 10 pages, Word document, double-spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman
Poetry: 5 pages, Word document, double-spaced, 12 pt font, Times New Roman
What should I expect at the meeting with the WIR?
Please come prepared to discuss your work. This could include your intentions with the work, your hopes and plans for it, and what you see as the next steps.
What if I can't make the appointment?
Please email writerinresidence@uwo.ca as soon as possible if you need to re-schedule or cancel the appointment.
About Western's Writer-in-Residence
The Writer-in-Residence Program is sponsored by the James A. and Marjorie Spenceley Fund, the Department of English and Writing Studies, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and London Public Library donors.
