Author Talks
This is an engaging and thoughtful experience centered around our book: Can We Talk? These intimate conversations offer a behind-the-scenes insight into the inspiration, process, and personal stories that shaped the writing of the book. Jackie (our author) and I share a live reading from our book, answer questions from the audience and/or facilitator, and dive into the themes that resonate most deeply with readers- from psychological insight to lived experience.
This book is the product of my clinical dissertation. When I was pursuing my doctoral degree, most of my research revolved around the acculturation gap-distress theory and mental health outcomes for second-generation adolescents (i.e., those who have immigrant parents). Drawing from my own experiences, I found it imperative to be able to name, normalize, and validate the experience of growing up within a culture and going home to a different culture. While a bi-cultural upbringing is a beautifully rich experience, interfamilial conflict can be exacerbated by the inherent, differing values between the home culture and host culture. May this story serve as a reminder that differing values can be difficult within a family, but discussion about them can be the first step to healing and progress.
Synopsis of Can We Talk?
“I don’t want you to bring me sliced fruit, I want you to say you’re sorry.”
“If you really love me, why do you always compare me to my cousins?”
“I’m only in high school, I don’t know how to translate a ‘rental agreement’!”
“I’m still a kid, why do I have to watch all my siblings like I’m their parent?”
If you have immigrant parents, you may be able to relate to the stories in Can We Talk? During a Fourth of July event at their local high school, a few students leave their families out of frustration. Serendipitously, they all seem to find each other at just the right place and at just the right time. As they slowly open up to one another and share their nuanced experiences in having immigrant parents, they learn two very important things: that there are ways to make things better and that they were never alone.
Can We Talk? A Short Story of Navigating Identity and Belonging as Teens of Immigrant Parents
Previous Talks
Healing HeARTs
Healing HeARTs is a free, annual event hosted by NAPAFASA. It aims to create a safe space where transformative justice circles are used to process difficult conversations such as racism and mental health. They do this by creating community, emotional expression through art, conflict management training, and critical analysis of history and media. They hope to empower participants with tools to become leaders in their communities during this rapidly changing era.
FAQs
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This is an engaging and thoughtful experience centered around our book: Can We Talk? These intimate conversations offer a behind-the-scenes insight at the inspiration, process, and personal stories that shaped the writing of our book. We share a live reading from the book, answer questions from the audience and/or facilitator, and dive into the themes that resonate most deeply with readers- from psychological insight to lived experience.
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We can tailor each experience based on your target demographic. Whether you’re hosting a book club, local library, community organization, or academic class, our Author Talks are designed to be both enlightening and enjoyable. We aim to create a space that is warm, interactive, and full of meaningful dialogue. While our book is marketed toward children and young adults (ages 11-18), anyone can benefit from this healing story.
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While we don’t have set workshops (or other services) that are offered during Author Talks, we are most certainly open to the possibility! In the past, we’ve teamed up with agencies to tailor specific workshops that were in alignment with our book and their event (click here). Let’s collaborate and see what we can come up with!
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We absolutely can! We also offer exclusive coloring pages and physical prints from the book that are not available anywhere else.
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Please complete a contact form below and we can get the process started!
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This is going to vary. Generally, though, we are most likely to be available on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for Author Talks. Weekday options may be possible depending on the circumstances. Just fill out the contact form below and we will do our best to accommodate!
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This depends on the format of the event, travel expenses, amount of preparation, and expected length of the talk. If you fill the contact form below, we can provide you with a more accurate quote before finalizing a booking.
Contact us.
Located in Fairfield, CA.