Author Spotlight: Souvankham Thammavongsa

Few writers capture the quiet drama of everyday life as precisely as Souvankham Thammavongsa. A Lao Canadian writer and Giller Prize winner, she turns quiet, ordinary immigrant moments into powerful stories.

What inspired you to start writing?

I landed the lead role in my school play - Little Red Riding Hood - but I didn’t know the full story. I improvised when the wolf followed me and kicked him. 

The director said, “That’s not what happens.”

And I asked, “Why not? Who decides what happens and what we say?”

And he replied, “the writer.”

So at seven, I knew that I wanted to be a writer.

What are you reading now?

I’m actually reading my own manuscript of short stories because I am sending it out to my editor. It’s called Crush

Which authors inspire you?

I really love the works of a lot of Southern writers, especially Tennessee Williams, Carson McCullers, and Flannery O’Connor.

What is your favorite book?

I love the book The Velveteen Rabbit, which is a childhood story about loving something that isn’t real but your love makes it real.