George Town Literary Festival 2026 Participating Authors
Samantha Chong
Samantha Chong is a Malaysian writer whose fiction explores belonging, identity, and the ways people carve out a sense of home in a changing world. Originally from Penang, she draws on her multilingual and multicultural background in her work. She is the author of the young adult fantasy novel Prodigal Tiger, with a second novel, Paper Ghosts, forthcoming. Her writing spans both fiction and non-fiction.
Christopher Chu
Christopher Chu is a writer and editor based in Macao. He is the editor of The Bay, an English-language publication covering culture and lifestyle across China’s Greater Bay Area. Together with his wife, Maggie Hoi, he has co-authored Macau’s Historical Witnesses, Camilo Pessanha’s Macau Stories, and Macau’s Historical Flavors, books that explore the city’s rich history, culture, and identity.
Olivier Hein
Olivier Hein is a historian and writer whose work explores the overlooked histories of nations, regions, and cultures. A former diplomat with the United Nations, the OSCE, and the United Kingdom, he has lived and worked across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. He is the author of Star and Key, a history of Mauritius, Borneo: The History of an Enigma, and Mother of the World: The Remarkable History of Turkmenistan. His forthcoming book, Glory, Faith and Sorrow, traces the epic history of Peru.
Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho
Wiley Wei-Chiun Ho is a Taiwanese Canadian writer whose work explores migration, memory, and the complexities of cultural identity. Born in Taiwan and raised in Canada, she writes from the perspective of the “Generation 1.5” experience. She is the author of The Astronaut Children of Dunbar Street: A Memoir, and her award-winning writing has appeared in literary journals and anthologies across Canada.
Maggie Pui Man Hoi
Maggie Hoi is a researcher, educator, and writer based in Macao. An Associate Professor at the University of Macau, her work focuses on the health benefits of natural herbal products. Beyond her research, she is passionate about Macao’s history and cultural heritage, interests that have informed several co-authored books exploring the city’s stories, identity, and everyday life.
Tuan Phan
Tuan Phan is a Vietnamese American writer and educator whose work examines migration, memory, and the ways people navigate lives across cultures and borders. Based in Taiwan, he is the author of the memoir Remembering Water and the short story collection Gills: And Other Stories, which explores contemporary Saigon through stories of change, displacement, and resilience.
Gaea Schoeters
Gaea Schoeters is a Belgian writer whose work spans fiction, opera, essays, and literary translation. Known for combining formal innovation with social engagement, she is the author of the internationally acclaimed novels Trophy and The Gift, both shortlisted for major literary prizes. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages, and she is an active voice in contemporary European literature and the performing arts.
Sam Sussman
Sam Sussman is a novelist and screenwriter whose debut novel, Boy From the North Country, became a three-time USA Today bestseller and a finalist for the National Jewish Book Awards. A recipient of the BAFTA New Writing Award, his writing has appeared in Harper’s and The Washington Post, and his work is published internationally.
Janet Tay
Janet Tay is the author of Early Mornings at the Laksa Cafe and the forthcoming Late Nights at the Donabe Diner. A Tin House Winter Workshop alum, she writes fiction and literary non-fiction on themes including food, family, and everyday life. Her work has appeared in various anthologies and magazines, and her play Reunion was longlisted for The Windsor Fringe Kenneth Branagh Award for New Drama Writing.
Martin Vengadesan
Martin Vengadesan is a Malaysian writer, journalist, and musician whose work moves between reportage, cultural commentary, and fiction. Drawing on a long career in journalism and public affairs, he has written extensively on politics, music, and society. His books include the best-selling Malaysian Murders & Mysteries, co-written with Andrew Sagayam, and a growing body of fiction that ranges from dystopian satire to comedy.
Xu Xi
Xu Xi is an Indonesian Chinese American writer whose acclaimed body of work spans fiction, memoir, and essays. The author of sixteen books and editor of several anthologies of Hong Kong literature in English, her writing often explores migration, identity, and transnational belonging. Her latest collection, Horizon Hong Kong: Selected Stories, will be published in 2026. A distinguished educator and literary mentor, she has taught and led creative writing programmes across Asia and the United States.