Laurier welcomes bestselling author and Brantford campus alum Rachel Phan for book launch Oct. 28

Oct. 6, 2026
For Immediate Release

BRANTFORD - Bestselling author and Wilfrid Laurier University Brantford campus alum Rachel Phan will return to her alma mater on Oct. 28 to celebrate the launch of her new book, That Asian Girl Is a Problem (Douglas & McIntyre, 2026). The free public event will include a reading from the author, a Q&A session and a book signing.

Phan graduated from Laurier’s Brantford campus in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her debut book, Restaurant Kid: A Memoir of Family and Belonging (Douglas & McIntyre, 2025), became an instant bestseller, earning a spot on CBC Books’ Best Books of 2025 list and a longlist nod for Canada Reads 2026.

“We’re honoured to welcome Rachel back home to Laurier’s Brantford campus to celebrate her success and the launch of her second book,” said Bruce Gillespie, an associate professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and one of Phan’s instructors during her time at Laurier. “Even as an undergraduate, she had a distinctive point of view and writing style, so I always looked forward to reading her assignments and her stories in the campus newspaper. I’m excited for our current students to meet her and be inspired by how she has built a successful career as a bestselling author.”

Earlier this year, Phan was named Alumna of the Year at Laurier’s Awards of Excellence in recognition of her professional achievements and contributions to literature.

“Growing up, I never really thought I had a voice worth listening to,” said Phan. “I couldn’t imagine a world where my stories or my perspective would matter to people. At Laurier, I was surrounded by professors, mentors, editors and peers who encouraged me to keep going. They gave me feedback that made me sharper, validation that made me braver and opportunities that really helped me come into my own as a writer. And, honestly, without that encouragement, it’s very possible I would not be a published author.”

That Asian Girl Is a Problem expands on the themes Phan explored in her bestselling debut, Restaurant Kid.

“If Restaurant Kid was about finding belonging and identity within family and community, That Asian Girl Is a Problem is about what happens when you step into the wider world and discover that belonging is still conditional,” said Phan. “It’s a rallying cry for Asian women, racialized women and women in general to refuse to abide by the unspoken rules shaping our existence and embrace being a problem.”

The book launch, hosted by Laurier’s Faculty of Liberal Arts, will take place Oct. 28 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Senate and Board Chamber (room OM-206-10) at Laurier’s One Market (1 Market St., Brantford). Admission is free, and all are welcome. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register in advance.

Copies of Phan’s books will be available for purchase at the event through the Hawk Shop.

The organizers gratefully acknowledge the support of the Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association.