about

Ann immigrated to Canada from South Korea in 1975. She attended the University of Toronto where she studied English, Sociology, and Education. She is also a graduate of the Humber School for Writers, the Creative Writing Certificate Program at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies, and National University’s Master of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing. Published by Simon & Schuster Canada, her debut novel, Kay’s Lucky Coin Variety, was a 2016 Toronto Book Awards finalist and One of CBC Books 12 Best Canadian Debut Novels of 2016.  The novel was also longlisted for the 2017 Frank Hegyi Award (Ottawa Independent Writers) and a finalist for the 2017 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize in the literary fiction category. Most recently, the Korean Canadian Heritage Awards committee recognized Ann for promoting Korean culture within Canada. The award was presented to her by Consul General of the Republic of Korea, Kang Jeong-Sik.

Ann’s personal essays have appeared in several publications including Quill & Quire,  Writer’s Digest, and the Toronto Star.  Her work often explores issues around cultural and social identity, and the need to promote diverse literary voices. 

For twenty years,  Ann has been an educator with the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) working primarily with English language learners, students in Special Education, and students with academic and social-emotional needs. She has served on many committees and groups that address equity issues and student well-being, and was a past chair of the Network of Educators for Korean-Canadian Students (NEKS).

Ann currently serves on the program advisory committee for gritLIT, Hamilton’s literary festival, and manages The Authors Book Club, an online initiative she co-founded to connect authors with readers in Canada.

Find Ann Y.K. Choi on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.