Monday, June 15, 2015

Asian American Writers: LA Literary Scene in the 1980s and Naomi Hirahara

Pacific Asian American Women Writers-West (PAAWW-West) - 1980s Photo taken after a reading that included Wanda Coleman
Front L-R: Amy Uyematsu, Akemi Kikumura, Joyce Nako, Naomi Hirahara, Emma Gee, Momoko Iko
Middle row L-R: Pam Tom, Velina Houston (behind Joyce), Cecilia Brainard, Ardis Nishikawa
Back Row L-R: Jude Narita, Fe Koons, Wanda Coleman, Chungmi Kim


I had a wonderful time last Saturday at the launch of Naomi Hirahara's new book, Grave on Grand Avenue, second of her Ellie Rush series. The event was held at the Japanese American Library in downtown Los Angeles. There were bento lunches for those who wanted to eat, followed by Haiku readings by some Japanese American writers. Naomi then did a power point presentation of her evolution as a crime writer. She was articulate, funny, informative, and had the audience in the palm of her hand.

There was book signing afterwards.

Naomi and I go way back. In the 1980s. We were members of a writers' group, the Pacific Asian American Women Writers-West or PAAWW-West. The group included Akemi Kikumura, Joyce Nako, Amy Uyematsu, Jude Narita, Velina Houston, Fe Koons, Sumi Haru, Emma Gee, Momoko Iko, Pam Tom, Ardis Nishikawa, Chungmi Kim, and, of course, Naomi Hirahara, author of the Edgar Award-winning Mas Arai Mystery Series and the Officer Rush Series.


These women were pretty accomplished and went on to "make tracks" -- Emma Gee used to say, "Don't wipe your feet." The group included fiction writers, poets, film makers, theatrical producers/directors, playwrights, and actresses. If you have the time check out the links of the PAAWW-West members.

PAAWW-West was active, and we did a lot of literary readings in the Los Angeles area.  In a way, PAAWW-West was an off-shoot of the Asian American Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, which asserted the identity of "Asian Americans." The goal of the group was to provide support to Asian American women writers and other women writers of color.




The top picture was taken after a reading, with Los Angeles poet, Wanda Coleman as our guest. I believe the photo was taken  at the feminist Woman's Building, which was founded by artists Judy Chicago, Arlene Raven, and Miriam Schapiro. Writer Terry Wolverton managed the place in the 1980s.

This period - 1980s - was an exciting and energetic time for writers and artists. Independent bookstores thrived and were vibrant as well, including The Sisterhood Bookstore, Midnight Special, Dutton's in Brentwood; these bookstores were also venues for literary readings.   


The literary scene shifted in the 1990s, following the mergers of publishing houses. The 40 or so big American publishing houses shrunk to 5. Independent bookstores were affected and many closed. Writers had a more difficult time getting published as well as finding venues for their performances.

But onward we writers struggle. Some, like Naomi, have become successful in the commercial world with her best-selling crime novels. Congratulations, Naomi!

I'm including pictures of the books I bought, of Naomi signing books, the audience, and my very pretty bento lunch.




Read also
Remembering PAWWA



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