Welcome to my blog
Extras
Since meeting and collaborating with Pico Iyer, the brilliant essayist and keen observer of inner and outer life at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival in 2023, I have been enthralled by his commitment to a deeply spiritual yet hermit-like existence. As each day brings increasing discord and tumult – of wars that refuse to […]
Reviews
March 14, 2025
Read More
Cori Doerrfeld’s exquisite picture book, Say Goodbye…Say Hello (ages 3-8) chronicles the big life changes experienced by a little girl called Stella – going to school for the first time, sitting alone at the school cafeteria, the change of seasons, the loss of a pet, and a best friend moving away. The sparse, poignant text […]
Reviews
March 12, 2025
Read More
In ASH’S CABIN by Jen Wang (ages 12+), a gorgeously illustrated, earth-tones-hued graphic novel, sixteen-year-old Ash plots their boldest plan yet: to find their grandfather’s secret cabin in the forest and to stay there forever. Trouble is, no one knows if the cabin exists or not, but Ash is determined to find it. Armed with […]
Reviews
January 14, 2025
Read More
HOW IT ALL ENDS by Emma Hunsinger (ages 12+), is a brilliantly executed, belly-achingly hilarious and cleverly illustrated tale …
Reviews
November 24, 2024
Read More
If I can create a mirror for even one child in the world, I will have accomplished something meaningful
Read a little of what I've written
Writing
Discover my books and articles
Let's talk writing
in real life
Speaking & School Visits
See my Signature Talks
"Maureen was agile, warm, brilliantly organized - a joy to speak with"
"I was stunned at how much time and thought she had put into preparing ...and then how spontaneous, fun and thoughtful she was as our conversations unfolded. Running and organizing the Hong Kong International Literary Festival in 2023, Maureen was as professional, kind and engaging as any such host i've ever known, and as a writer herself - as well as so many other things - she brought more to our interactions than I had any reason to expect. "
Pico Iyer, Author
© Derek Shapton
"What Maureen did on our days was the first of its kind"
"She showed our senior elementary girls how refreshing it is to read stories where the contexts are relatable, and the characters look like them and carry some of the same emotions as they do. To be seen and heard in a diverse world is comforting.
Maureen’s hands-on techniques were engaging and facilitated meaningful interaction during the workshop. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the sessions.
English Dept. Head
"Thank you for telling us that we should put down our phones and not be imprisoned by our phones.
"Nowadays actually many people use their phones all the time and never put it down, also I am one. After listening to you, I think I would like to try a day without my phone, and I can already foresee many new experiences in my ‘daily’ life
Secondary School Student
Kind words from cool people
Read my musings as a Malaysian writer, wandering the earth, listening to the universe and writing the stories behind my photographs.
Freshly-brewed stories and photographs,
delivered to your inbox.
Join me on substack
You're all signed up!
Be sure to whitelist our email address so that all the goodies make it to your inbox.
