What inspired you to begin a writing career?

Writing was not my childhood dream. Having immigrated from China to Australia only in my early teens, hardly speaking English, I’d never dreamed of publishing an English novel. I was still figuring out Vegemite!

After high school, I spent a decade in maths and physics and ended up in black-hole research, but I also spent that time backpacking around the world. Having now lived in nine countries, travelled to 75, and currently dividing my time between the US and Pakistan, I realise that my life is full of stories rarely told in the West. I believe most problems in the world stem from our lack of understanding of each other, and over time, I made it my goal to connect people by telling stories from different cultures.

What does it mean to have your debut novel, The Cry of the Silkworm, published after winning an ASA/CA Award Mentorship to develop the manuscript?

The Cry of the Silkworm tells the story of a girl’s experiences under China’s one-child policy, in a culture where boys are prioritised. I was born in Shanghai in 1990 — the peak of the policy — so my novel depicts an ordeal my own generation endured. Think forced abortion, forced sterilisation, and female infanticide.

The ASA/CA Award Mentorship was a turning point for me. My insightful mentor, Ella Carey, not only helped me hone my craft but also introduced me to her agency. Thanks to the mentorship, I found a voice in the West to share a deeply personal story that the Chinese government would likely never allow to be told. It meant so much.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the start of your career?

Coming from an academic background unrelated to writing, I had no idea the road to publication would be so strenuous. Writing and rewriting, applying to mentorships, seeking representation, finding a publisher, working with an editor, and navigating publicity — none of it was straightforward. I wish I’d been more mentally prepared for all the hurdles. But it feels all the more rewarding now to see The Cry of the Silkworm out in the world.

Which Australian authors/illustrators have been influential for you?

I’d like to acknowledge my mentor Ella Carey again here — she’s a master storyteller who knows how to capture readers’ hearts. My goal is to write upmarket rather than literary fiction, but fitting complex cultural nuances into something a book club can discuss over a glass of wine is no small feat; Ella’s commercial success really inspired me. I’m also grateful to Linda Jaivin, who provided invaluable advice on my publication journey. I highly recommend her brilliant The Shortest History of China to anyone interested in the country.

Though Australia shaped my teenage years, I read widely and in several different languages, so I want to add here that my favourite book is A Fine Balance by Indian-Canadian author Rohinton Mistry.

Why are you a member of the ASA?

It helps me feel connected, like being part of a big family reunion — even if I’m the cousin who lives abroad and shows up on Zoom with a cup of coffee and jet lag. I encourage every Aussie writer based overseas to become a member.

 

Read more about Shi Naseer at www.shinaseer.net