Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I’ve written nine books, six are published and the rest are scheduled for release in 2027-2028. I moved around alot growing up. Books were my escape and a way for me to stay grounded, thus I’ve always been a voracious reader. I grew up in Taiwan and in California, later residing in New York and Shanghai with frequent travels to Singapore and business trips to Paris. I consider myself an immigrant and a traveler. Much of my writing is inspired by my journeys.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
My first novel was published during the covid pandemic. But I’ve been writing long before that. Prior to writing books, I had worked as a public relations manager in the fashion, beauty and technology industries. One of my roles was composing press releases. I’d written countless press releases but yearned to write creatively instead of for corporations. So I started working on some manuscripts, enrolled in publishing courses at Stanford University, then transitioned into writing books full time. Now I write novels, short stories, poetry and children’s books.
Q: Tell us about your books.
I write picture books, novels and I’ve dabbled in poetry. Most of my books deal with subjects pertaining to Asian and Taiwanese culture in some way or form. I’ve written about the Taiwanese purple crow butterfly migration, marine ecosystems and ocean animals in Asia, Chinese mythologies, beloved Asian pastries such as pineapple cakes and mooncakes. The running theme in my children’s books is Empathy — a characteristic that I think is essential in making our world a better place.
Q: How did you create the magic in your books and characters?
The settings of my children’s books are an important component of the story. In Mei’s Mermaid Mission, readers are transported to picturesque islands and oceanic underworlds in Asia, such as the Malacca Strait and Jeju Island. These are real places, yet I infused them with the local mythologies of mermaids. In A Unicorn Named Rin, readers experience Tang Dynasty China along with a host of Chinese mythical creatures. Kai the Dancing Butterfly and Pei’s Pineapple Cakes are about the beauty of Taiwan and its rich culture. Miya’s Mooncakes is set in a multicultural town full of whimsy and heart.
In each of these world-building efforts, the illustrator and I take the time to research and collaborate on creating a setting that is not only magical, but full of educational value as well.
Q: A message for your readers?
I’m very thankful for my readers, some of whom have been with me since my first book! I once had a reader tell me she did a school animal report on the endangered dugong after reading Mei’s Mermaid Mission, another student started studying Indigenous Taiwanese tribes after reading Kai the Dancing Butterfly. A woman told me she loves the relationship between the grandmother and granddaughter in Pei’s Pineapple Cakes because it reminded her of her family. These are the moments I appreciate the most as a writer!
