Q&A With Emma Pei Yin

I’m delighted to be doing this Q&A with author Emma Pei Yin whose historical fiction debut When Sleeping Women Wake, came out in the US on June 17^th and is available to read now wherever you get your books! Emma is also a writer and editor who contributes to Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press and Books + Publishing.

Q: Emma, would you please give a brief description of When Sleeping Women Wake? I enjoy reading historical fiction. What made you want to have your debut novel be historical fiction?

A: I enjoy historical fiction, too! 

When Sleeping Women Wake follows three extraordinary women—Mingzhu, her daughter Qiang, and their loyal maid Biyu—who are torn apart during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in 1941. As war engulfs their world, Mingzhu is coerced into working for a Japanese captain, while Qiang and Biyu endure forced labour before being separated by the resistance movement. Through hardship and survival, each cling to the hope of reunion, determined to resist in their own way.

Funnily enough, I wasn’t looking to have my debut novel be historical fiction. I had spent several years prior working on a YA novel called Chasing Echoes in the Rain, which was shortlisted for the Allen & Unwin Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Program. While that was happening, I had begun writing When Sleeping Women Wake and it just so happened that I signed with my wonderful agent, Laurie Roberston before the YA novel got anywhere. 

Q: How long did it take you to research & write When Sleeping Women Wake? What lessons & emotions do you hope readers learn after reading When Sleeping Women Wake?

A: It took years to research When Sleeping Women Wake. The story had begun forming in my mind since I was a child, back when my grandparents would tell me stories of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. I spent a lot of time searching through national archives, reading online journals and watching documentaries that centered on survivors of the occupation. 

Writing the novel itself took a lot less time—once the words started flowing, it was hard to stop. I don’t particularly have any ‘lessons’ I want readers to learn from this novel. The novel is about love and the power of resistance during unfathomable times. I didn’t write this with the intention of having some message to offer readers, but more a feeling of love and hope. 

Q: I think it’s so cool you’re a writer and editor who contributes to Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press and Books + Publishing! What’s it like writing and editing for those publications? For anyone wanting to submit to those publications, how would they go about submitting work for them?

A: I feel such honor in having been able to contribute to such publications. As an editor, I own my own editorial agency and work with fellow authors on their manuscripts. I think for anyone wanting to submit to these publications, the question they should ask themselves is: why? For example, it was important for me to be featured in The Hong Kong Review as I had lived in Hong Kong for many years and felt a strong connection to the literary spaces there.

Q: Are you allowed to discuss what book 2 will be about? 

A: I wish! All I can say is that there will be book 2 and it’s going to shine a (very bright) light on secret documents that have been recently declassified from one particular country. It will also follow the lives of some very strong women, just like in When Sleeping Women Wake. 

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to When Sleeping Women Wake yet?

A: One day, I hope.