Asian Women Writers' Collective
| Company type | Writers' collective |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature, publishing |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Ravinder Randhawa |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | Ravinder Randhawa, Meera Syal, Leena Dhingra, Tanika Gupta, Rukhsana Ahmad |
| Products | Anthologies (Right of Way, Flaming Spirit) |
The Asian Women Writers' Collective (AWWC), originally known as the Asian Women Writers Workshop, was established in the United Kingdom in 1984 by writer and activist Ravinder Randhawa. This organization served as a platform for British Asian women authors, counting among its members Randhawa herself, along with Meera Syal, Leena Dhingra, Tanika Gupta, and Rukhsana Ahmad.
History
The Asian Women Writers' Workshop was created in London in 1984 with the goal of fostering creative expression among Asian women writers and facilitating their access to publishing opportunities. Its initial support came from the Black Ink Collective and financial backing from the Greater London Council (GLC). After the GLC was dissolved in 1986, funding was subsequently provided by the Greater London Arts Association and Lambeth Council.
Starting with a core group of eight South Asian women, the collective grew to include over one hundred members across the country. These writers engaged in collaborative writing sessions and exchanged their work regularly. In 1987, following discussions about incorporating "Black" into its name to signify political alliance, the workshop was renamed the Asian Women Writers' Collective (AAWC). The new title highlighted its focus on creating a dedicated space for Asian women writers while maintaining strong connections with black women's organizations.
When funding from the Arts Association ceased in 1991, the collective expanded its membership criteria in 1992 to welcome women writers from China, Japan, Korea, and Turkey.
The AAWC produced two significant anthologies: Right of Way (1988) and Flaming Spirit (1994). These collections featured emerging voices, including contributors from outside London who participated through a postal membership system. Writers hailed from cities such as Sheffield, Birmingham, Manchester, and Cardiff.
Due to reductions in funding from Lambeth Council starting in 1996, the collective disbanded around early 1997. Its historical records are maintained at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Anthologies
- Right of Way: Prose and Poetry from the Asian Women Writers' Collective (Women's Press, 1988, ISBN 9780704340916)
- Flaming Spirit: Stories from the Asian Women Writers' Collective, edited by Rukhsana Ahmad and Rahila Gupta (Virago, 1994, ISBN 9781853817496)
External links
- Asian Women's Writers Collective at the Spoken Word Archive