Blog
Alumni Spotlight: Fiona Wong's Debut Picture Book "Hungry Ghosts!" Acquired by Chronicle Books
by Writing Workshops Staff
A week ago
We're thrilled to celebrate WritingWorkshops.com alumna Fiona Wong on the acquisition of her debut picture book, Hungry Ghosts! Chronicle Books' Ian Tseng acquired the manuscript, which follows a young girl exploring the traditions of the Hungry Ghost Festival with her family. Through a journey into the spirit realm, she learns the importance of remembering treasured moments with her late grandmother. The book, illustrated by Yan Gu, is set for publication in summer 2028.
Fiona's path to publication showcases the unique blend of technical expertise and creative passion that defines many successful writers today. With an M.S. in Computer Science from UC Davis, she chose to pursue her love of storytelling alongside her tech career, never abandoning her devotion to drawing, writing, and singing.
At WritingWorkshops.com, Fiona honed her craft through several intensive courses. She studied with National Book Award finalist Karen E. Bender in the Interiority and Show & Tell Series, where she learned to bring emotional depth and authenticity to her writing—skills she credits as the most valuable takeaway from our programs. She also worked with Dan Robert in The Art of Adapting Source Material for Film and TV Projects, further expanding her storytelling toolkit.
What Fiona valued most about her WritingWorkshops.com experience was the sense of community and inspiration she found among fellow writers and instructors. This supportive environment helped her develop stories that celebrate how we connect, share, and care for the world through culture, curiosity, and stewardship. Her dedication to creating engaging STEAM books reflects her understanding of storytelling's importance in our digitally driven world.
Beyond Hungry Ghosts!, Fiona's writing momentum continues strong. She has a second picture book manuscript generating interest from another publishing house, is revising a middle-grade novel, and is developing several new picture book ideas. Her success demonstrates the power of persistent revision, authentic storytelling, and finding the right community to support your creative journey.
Ready to follow in Fiona's footsteps and bring your own stories to life? Whether you're working on picture books, novels, or screenplays, WritingWorkshops.com offers online creative writing courses taught by award-winning authors and industry professionals who can help you develop your craft, find your voice, and connect with a supportive community of writers from around the world.
