Writers in Kyoto (WiK) is a group of English-language authors working or living in the city, or with some connection to it. It is run on a membership basis, and its purpose is for writers to help each other by creating opportunities for promotion, book launches, readings, the exchange of information, and social events. We work in an informal way and are open to new ideas for projects, such as the Kyoto Writing Competition. We are an independent group, but collaborate with Kyoto Journal and SWET (Society of Writers, Editors and Translators).

WiK was started in 2015, since which time the group has expanded from seven to more than seventy. Membership is open to all with a special connection to Kyoto, regardless of location. You may not be physically in Kyoto, but your heart should be.

Subjects of particular interest to the membership include the current state of the market; self-publishing; e-books; marketing and promotion; Amazon; local printers and publishers; speaking venues; opportunities for placing articles in newspapers, magazines and blogs, etc. In order to facilitate the exchange of information, members are eligible to join a closed Facebook group which allows access to an archive of relevant material as well as providing a space for interchange and discussion.

As an educational seat of learning with a long and proud history, Kyoto has proved attractive to many foreign writers over the years — Gary Snyder, Donald Keene, Alex Kerr and, in nearby Nara, Pico Iyer. This is not to mention the long line of illustrious Japanese poets and novelists who have found the city conducive to writing. One thinks for example of the world’s oldest novel, The Tale of Genji, the ‘follow-your-pen’ brilliance of Sei Shonagon’s Pillow Book as well as collections of poetry such as Kokinshu (Collection of Old and New) and Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets).  It is a tradition that Writers in Kyoto treasures and seeks to uphold.

Become a Writers in Kyoto member

Current committee members (alphabetically):

  • Paul Carty — Treasurer
  • Tina deBellegarde — Membership Secretary
  • John Dougill — WiK Founder, Website, and Facebook
  • Rick Elizaga — Website and Tech Advisor
  • Mike Freiling – Monthly Digest
  • Mayumi Kawaharada — Japanese Liaison
  • Kirsty Kawano — Events (Words and Music, etc.)
  • Rebecca Otowa — Reviews Editor
  • Lisa Twaronite Sone — Anthology Supervisor
  • Karen Lee Tawarayama — Website, Facebook
  • Fernando Torres — Instagram
  • Lisa Wilcut — Zoom Manager