In the bustling heart of the Toronto Arts community, Asha Ponnachan is a name synonymous with versatility, as a writer, actor, dancer and mental health advocate, she understands that creativity isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of being. Now, she along with our journal inviting a select group of writers to join to us for an intensive, transformative 4 session workshop designed to move projects from ideas to fruition – starting from Nov 11, 2026.
Why this workshop?
Writing can be a lonely endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be. This workshop is built on the principal of organic accountability. By working within the same cohort for five weeks, participants engage in authentic discussions that help push their fiction projects forward in a supportive, professional environment.
Create powerful characters, learn the magic of setting, understand the threading of emotions and patterns to relate to readers, learn what makes a story memorable and let your writing skills magnify.
Let’s Write Some Fiction That Gets Published!
Testimonials from Our last October Workshop with Asha Ponnachan!
Get a glimpse into our April Workshop with Asha Ponnachan, Click Here
The Roadmap for November Short Story Workshop
- Professional guidance: learn from bestselling author who has written and published in multiple genres, including short stories and poetry collections and three international bestsellers
- Connect with like-minded individuals and gain industry exposures.
- Step-by-step momentum: 4 sessions over two weeks provide the structure needed to keep your projects moving in right direction.
- Practical ways to overcome writer’s block, turn the ubiquitous into inspiration and understand the various elements of story writing.
- Publishing insights: Gain a general understanding of how to get your work out into the world.
- Publication : The story developed during the workshop will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Hemlock Journal.
- All participants will receive a certificate of participation signed by the mentor, Asha Ponnachan, the managing editor and executive editor at The Hemlock Journal.
- All participants get annual The Hemlock Membership, with the benefits of more than $250
- Free entry to the upcoming Fiction Writing Contest by The Hemlock Journal
Workshop logistics
• Structure: 4 sessions (2 session per week), on Nov 11, Nov 15, Nov 18, and Nov 22
• Duration: Each session is 1.5 hour of focused, high impact learning.
• Capacity: limited to 10 people, to ensure personalised attention.
• Fees: $280 for 4 sessions, or $70 per session. (For participants from India, the fees would be Rs. 12,000/- for 4 session or Rs 3,000/per session.
How to Pay the fee?
Participants can pay either the full fee $280/Rs.12,000/- or they can opt to pay for individual sessions, before the session starts $70/Rs. 3,000/-. (Below are the PayPal and Razorpay links for the secure payment of the fee.)
Avail Your Discount!
Previous Contributors: All the previous contributors of The Hemlock Journal get 15% waiver on the fee (Pay only $238/Rs. 10,500 for the full 4 session workshop, or $59/Rs. 2600/- per session)
The Hemlock Members : 20% off for The Hemlock Members. (Pay only $224/ Rs. 9,600/- for the full 4 session workshop or $56/Rs. 2,400/- per session)
To know more about the The Hemlock Membership Click Here.
Early Birds : First 5 applicants get 20% waiver on the fee (Pay only $224/Rs. 9,600 for the full 4 session workshop, or $56/Rs. 2,400/- per session)
How to Register?
Fill the registration form given below. Book your spot now. We’ll close the form once we get 15 participants.
Once your seat is confirmed, you’ll receive an email from us with all the details, including the scheduled time and the link to join.
Meet your Mentor
Asha Ponnachan (she/her) A writer, actor, dancer and lover of all things art, asha, is the bestselling author of three books that gained international fame. She has also written multiple scripts for stage and screen. Her acting career spans a vast repertoire of theatre productions on Canadian stage as well as short films. Trained as an Indian classical dancer, she began performing on stage as a child. Her love for storytelling transitioned from dance to acting and writing. She has directed two plays and one documentary. Having lived and worked in various countries before making her home in Canada, she draws upon a diversity of international experiences in her art- whether it is writing or acting. Asha also works as an arts manager and founded a literary arts organization in 2025. Additionally, she volunteers her time to champion the benefits of ‘arts on mental and emotional health’. Her motto is “there is always Hope” and art is one of the most promising generators of hope.
Ready to start your literary journey? Spots are limited to 10, and we are more than excited to have you onboard with us.
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