12 Facts About Evelyn Lau

Evelyn Lau is a Canadian novelist, poet, and short story writer.

Evelyn Lau was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 2,1971, to Chinese-Canadian parents from Hong Kong.

Evelyn Lau began publishing poetry at the age of 12.

In March 1986, at age 14, Lau left home due to parental objection to her pursuit of poetry.

Evelyn Lau spent the next two years living itinerantly in Vancouver as a homeless person living in group homes, friends' houses, and apartments.

Evelyn Lau became involved with drug abuse during this time and supported herself through prostitution.

The diary was adapted as a film The Diary of Evelyn Lau, starring Canadian actress Sandra Oh.

Evelyn Lau's poems were selected for inclusion in Best American Poetry and Best Canadian Poetry.

Evelyn Lau has worked as writer-in-residence at the University of British Columbia, Kwantlen University, and Vancouver Community College, and was Distinguished Visiting Writer at the University of Calgary.

Evelyn Lau lives in Vancouver, where she is a manuscript consultant in Simon Fraser University's Writing and Publishing Program.

On Oct 14,2011, Evelyn Lau was named the poet laureate for the city of Vancouver.

Evelyn Lau is the third poet to hold this honorary position; her plan is to offer 'poet-in-residence consultations with aspiring poets'.