Madeleine Thien (born 1974) is a Canadian short story writer and novelist. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, she was educated at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. In 2001 she was awarded the Canadian Authors Association Air Canada Award for most promising Canadian writer under age 30. In 2008, she was invited to participate in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. Born in Shenyang in Northeast China, Joe Chang earned an arts degree in oil painting and printmaking at the Lu-Xin Art University of China. After graduation, he was invited to teach at the university. Four years later, he entered Tama Art University in Tokyo to pursue his studies in fine art. Joe has had his work exhibited in national and international art exhibitions, with solo exhibitions in China, Japan, Vancouver and Victoria.