Evelyn Lau
Photo by John Patterson
Evelyn Lau is a lifelong Vancouverite whose literary career has spanned over three decades, marked by both critical acclaim and wide readership. The author of fifteen books, she first came to national attention with her searing memoir Runaway (1989), a candid account of her experiences as a homeless teenager, which was later adapted into a CBC television movie starring Sandra Oh. Lau is best known for her poetry, which has garnered numerous national awards, including the Milton Acorn People’s Poetry Award and the Pat Lowther Award. Her collections, noted for their emotional precision and unflinching honesty, explore themes of love, loss, identity, and the passage of time.
Beyond poetry, Lau has published fiction and personal essays, with her prose translated into a dozen languages, extending her readership across the globe. Her work often reflects her deep engagement with the human condition, pairing lyrical craft with raw truth. From 2011 to 2014, she served as Vancouver’s Poet Laureate, advocating for the role of poetry in civic life and fostering literary engagement in the community. A writer of enduring influence, Lau continues to shape Canada’s literary landscape with her distinctive voice and fearless exploration of personal and universal themes.