Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDI-zIoKV_E
Exploring Fantasy with Sachiko Kashiwaba & Avery Fischer Udagawa
Discover the magic of storytelling with celebrated Japanese fantasy author Sachiko Kashiwaba and award-winning translator Avery Fischer Udagawa. In this interactive workshop, participants of all ages will explore how fantasy worlds are created, how stories travel across languages, and how anyone—yes, you!—can begin writing a tale of their own.
The session opens with a special bilingual reading from The Village Beyond the Mist (霧のむこうのふしぎな町), performed in both Japanese and English. Together, Kashiwaba and Udagawa will guide attendees through the moment where the story steps from the ordinary into the extraordinary—and show how that same spark can begin a brand-new story in your own imagination.
Participants will:
- Learn how fantasy writers draw inspiration from everyday curiosities.
- Try a fun guided writing exercise designed for all ages.
- Hear how reading, observing, and exploring can fuel both writing and translation.
- Enjoy a lively Q&A with Sachiko Kashiwaba about her life, books, and creative process.
Whether you’re a young writer discovering fantasy for the first time or an adult curious about how stories take shape across cultures, this workshop celebrates creativity, curiosity, and the joy of storytelling. Come ready to imagine, write, and say “That was fun!” as you create a world of your own.
Share your story with other readers of The Village Beyond the Mist on the discussion board for a chance to win a signed copy of the book!