With Vivek Shraya and Kai Cheng Thom
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Join two of Canada’s most beloved trans authors as they celebrate the release of two works of fiction exploring dystopian and utopian worlds that are frightening, fantastical, and not so far away from the world we live in today: Shraya’s The Hystericals, and Thom’s The Shapeshifter’s Guide To Gym Class.
As communities around the world face the ongoing impacts of social, political, economic and environmental crises, visionary stories are more important than ever. Trans and gender diverse communities in particular are in need of bold narratives and supportive spaces that affirm resilience and strength amidst adversity. The Hystericals and The Shapeshifter’s Guide are novels written in answer to these needs: Novels that question power, call in the truth, and invite the courage it takes to heal and transform the systems we live in. Trans and queer communities will be celebrated, and all allies and book lovers are welcome.
Kai Cheng and Vivek’s new novels explore emotionally powerful and socially charged topics, including prejudice, mental health, and violence. Audience members are warmly encouraged to take care of themselves and others as needed. No graphic descriptions of violence or injury will be included in this event.
Vivek Shraya is an artist whose body of work crosses the boundaries of music, literature, visual art, theatre, TV, film, and fashion. A three-time Canadian Screen Award winner, Vivek is the creator and writer of the CBC Gem Original Series How to Fail as a Popstar, which had its international premiere at Cannes. She was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize and has collaborated with musical icons Jann Arden, Peaches, and Jully Black. Her best-selling book I’m Afraid of Men was heralded by Vanity Fair as “cultural rocket fuel.” Vivek has been a brand ambassador for MAC Cosmetics and Pantene, a guest host on The Social and CBC’s q, and she is a director on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation. Vivek’s 11th solo studio recording, New Models, was released in October 2025 on Twin Fang Records, and her 13th book, a dystopian novel, The Hystericals, will be published in Fall 2026 by McClelland & Stewart.
Kai Cheng Thom is an award-winning writer, performer, and creative arts facilitator based in tkaronto/Toronto whose work delves deeply into the themes of revolutionary love, transformative justice, and healing from collective trauma. Kai Cheng’s work has received multiple literary awards, including the Stonewall Honor Book Award, the Publishing Triangle Award, and the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBT Writers.