Organizations & Groups
Communication
& Feedback
as strong as your work
Speaking, workshops, and strategic consultation — I work with organizations, institutions, and technical teams to do something simultaneously complex and simple: get to the root of what they are actually trying to say, in a way that recipients can hear and feel receptive to. The result is a room that communicates differently from the first session.
If you can put people in the room, I make sure they are glad they took the time.
I am a narrative strategist, speaker, teacher, and facilitator — It is my job to keep people engaged and thinking.
Speaking
Whether you need a speaker to ignite the room at the opening or send attendees home with ideas worth keeping — Christabel sets the tone, holds the energy, and leaves an audience thinking. Flexible on format, comfortable on stage, and happy to follow up with written responses to audience questions within a few days.
The Feedback Workshop
My approach to feedback is specific, practised, and kind: people leave knowing how to give critique that is sharp yet encouraging, how to receive it openly and without defensiveness, and with the tools needed to improve the work. The result is a communication culture built on trust and inspiration.
Ready to Restart Your Writing
For writers who have a story they started and couldn’t finish alone; a space to share writing, receive skilled feedback, and revitalize the manuscript you’ve been carrying around. You have pages somewhere. I help you find where you left off — and keep going.
Speaking
Talks on historical memoir, cross-cultural identity, and the political lives of ordinary people — for literary festivals, conferences, and institutional events.
Library Programs
Author readings, Q&A sessions, and facilitated discussions for public library audiences — drawing on years of programming with San Mateo County Libraries. I founded the Woodside Writers group in December 2017, which I moderated for five years.
Writing Workshop
Extended craft sessions in memoir and narrative non-fiction — 2-hour series, half-day, or retreat format — for community groups, academic settings, or international engagements.
University Lecture
Interactive and dynamic guest lectures for courses in history, creative writing, memoir, Asian studies, and international relations — in person or via video.
Book Club
An author conversation for book clubs reading Rice Paper Window — in person (Bay Area), via video, or by arrangement farther afield.
Corporate Storytelling, Feedback Skills, & Communication
Workshops on authentic personal narrative for organizations — how storytelling builds connection, trust, and meaning across teams. How to use narrative techniques to communicate complex ideas to non-specialist audiences.
Communication Skills for Technical Teams
A practical framework for giving and receiving constructive feedback — building the communication culture that makes technical teams more effective and cohesive. People leave knowing how to give critique that is sharp yet encouraging, how to receive it openly and without defensiveness, and with the tools needed to improve the work. Available for one-time workshops, ongoing consultation, or as an embedded resource for teams navigating growth or change.
Panel Appearance
Moderated conversations and panels on memoir, Korean history, women traveling alone, and democracy movements of the late 20th century.
“The best stories don’t just move people — they change what we see.”Christabel Choi
For Booksellers & Librarians
Rice Paper Window is available through Ingram for stocking in bookstores and libraries. I am available for Meet the Author events, in-store readings, signings, and book fair appearances — locally in the Bay Area and by arrangement further afield, including international book fairs. I am actively building my book fair calendar and welcomes inquiries from festival organizers worldwide.
To arrange stocking, an event, or a book fair appearance: use the inquiry form below or send a note directly.
Tell me about
your event or program
Tell me about your event or program. I reads all inquiries personally and responds within a few business days. Engagements are priced by arrangement.
All inquiries are kept in confidence. Fees are by arrangement based on event scope and travel requirements.
“Good feedback should leave you inspired to keep going, not frustrated or ready to quit.”
Christabel Choi