Aren Lau

(they/them) Mentee

Aren Lau goes by the writing alias of Atlas Yen—writing is their whole personality. They identify as genderfluid and are aiming to advocate for more transgender voices in the creative writing industry. Half Chinese, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and currently practicing karate, Aren drinks so much coffee that they’re running out of money. They’re a huge fan of the Percy Jackson series and see Rick Riordan as an idol (along with Jackie Chan). Aren has written a four-volume fantasy young adult series that is heavily based on the manga and anime that they constantly consume.

Artist‘s Statement

I write not because I love it, or because I like looking at the words on the page, but because as a writer, I either tell my story or I jump off a bridge (not literally). My core goal is to make the audience feel, to make them learn, and to make them see things in a different light. We all have the obligation to learn about each other and literature is my preferred contribution to that goal.