SFPA members Krysada Panusith Phounsiri and Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay will be the keynote speakers at the 2017 National Lao American Writers Summit in Seattle, Washington on June 23-24th at Highline College. This is the first time it has been held in Washington. This is the fourth time the Summit has been convened since 2010 and is being organized locally by the Kinnaly Lao Traditional Music & Dance Troupe, the Pom Foundation, Highline College, ANNAPISI, and the Lao Community Service Center of WA, among many other wonderful elders, youth, and community organizations. Since the inception of the first Lao American Writers Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota took place in 2010, the places and spaces where a thriving community for poets, authors, playwrights and screenwriters who identify themselves as Lao/Laotian American has since grown exponentially. What started out as an idea among three writers has turned into a national convening of artists and creatives whose works intersects with the very concept of writing from a Lao American diaspora perspective. As a result, Lao Americans are now among the award-winning literary elites, and have been recognized by the larger national Lao American community. The mission of the Lao American Writers Summit is to provide support for Lao American writers, both emerging and established. Krysada Panusith Phounsiri was the 2016 recipient of the Rhysling Award, shared with Ann K. Schwader. Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay is also an award-winning playwright known for her full-length play Kung Fu Zombies vs. Cannibals. She is a Guest of Honor at CONvergence 19 in Minnesota.