GTLF 2026 Workshop: The Places We Come From: Writing History, Family and Fiction

How can stories from the past speak to the present? Why do family and personal stories matter, and which histories are remembered—or forgotten? In this workshop, Amélie Skoda explores how fiction can preserve the complexities of belonging and memory, as well as approaches to writing the past, including how to balance facts and research with imaginative possibilities.

Through discussions, close readings, shared reflections and activities, participants will begin new pieces of writing and consider how they might develop them further. Participants are invited to bring a photograph for inspiration, but this is entirely optional. Whether you’re writing from your own family or personal history, or simply interested in how the past shapes the stories we tell now, this workshop offers a space to explore, experiment, and write across generations and borders.

This workshop requires a separate ticket, with a MYR 25 commitment fee. Participants who attend will receive a MYR 25 book voucher redeemable at the Penang Institute booth during the festival. The voucher cannot be exchanged for cash. Any balance above MYR 25 must be paid separately, and no change will be given.