1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE LOTUS SHOES
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
In 1800s China, gentle but brave Little Flower becomes self-centered Linjing’s slave-maid. When scandal strikes Linjing’s family, both women are forced to join a Celibate Sisterhood. Little Flower wants dignity, love and independence. Can she escape Linjing’s tenacious grip?
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
The Lotus Shoes is based on family lore past down from my grandmothers. They came from the Pearl River Delta of southern China. The Celibate Sisterhood also originated in this region—this under explored feminist movement is a pivotal focus in the second half of the story.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I can imagine sitting in a sewing circle with Little Flower—we both love embroidery, though my stitches are more like Linjing’s pedestrian ones. As research for The Lotus Shoes, I learned the satin stitch and the Peking knot. Embroidery is fun and very relaxing, almost like meditation. If that’s what you’re looking for, give it a go!
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Innovative, brave, resilient.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
As I’m sure you know, some authors are plotters, others are pantsers. I’m definitely a plotter, but, for years, I felt this position is the lesser one. A real creative soul can write on the fly, you’re just a wannabe—my pesky inner voice used to taunt. Writing The Lotus Shoes has given me the confidence to accept my own style.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Jodi Picoult once said, “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” This is such brilliant and liberating advice! For each draft, I aim to get the story down as quickly as possible, then, take a breather for a week or two, before I start editing.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
When I’m in the thick of writing, I’d eat Nutella, from the jar, with a tiny fork—to make it last! There is nothing else quite like the sweet, chocolatey taste of this hazelnut spread. The only thing the comes close is Ferro Rocher, which, of course, has the same filling.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
We live in a tiny townhouse with three kids, so my office is a poky room, too. Aside from my desk and a half-moon hall table, there isn’t room for much else. On the upside, the space is bright, with plenty of natural light streaming from two large windows. The trickle of water from the tabletop fountain is soothing too. Despite the size, it’s a happy writing nook.
10--Who is an author you admire?
From the first pages of Pride and Prejudice, I loved Jane Austen’s witty and lighthearted commentary on human psychology, especially in relation to class and social ambitions. Her novels’ staying power is a testimony to her brilliance.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I have two books in mind. Pride and Prejudice was my gateway into the world of historical fiction, and I’ve never looked back. I’m also grateful to Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. Prior to reading this book, I worried that quieter characters can’t be a compelling read. Tracy Chevalier showed me that it is possible to have a reserved character who is, at the same time strong, intelligent and engaging.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Nothing compares to the time Madeleine (my agent) emailed me about the offers for The Lotus Shoes—it’s definitely one of the most thrilling moments of my life! To put this into perspective, you should know that I’ve been pursuing this dream since I was pregnant with my first child. He just turned thirteen! Due to the time difference (Madeleine is London-based and I’m in Australia), those messages came late at night. I didn’t get any sleep, but I was far too happy to care.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’ve been a massive fan of historical fiction from the day I came across a copy of Pride and Prejudice at my high school library. I love everything about this genre, from the language to the different culture norms and, of course, the fashion. It’s even better if it’s combined with creepy supernatural elements, like Laura Purcell’s gothic novels.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
I rarely rewatch movies but I’ve watched The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, several times. It’s a romantic sci-fi thriller based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. Here’s a synopsis: David is a politician on the verge of winning a seat in the US Senate. Elise is a gifted ballet dancer. They first meet each other when she gatecrashes a wedding that is held in the same venue as his post-election event. It’s love at first sight, but she is on the run from security and leaves before he can catch her name. They met again on a bus. He accidently spills coffee on her skirt, giving him an excuse to ask for her number: he’ll pick it up for dry cleaning. She writes it on a scrap piece of paper. The men from the Adjustment Bureau (a mysterious organization that are effectively angels) will do whatever it takes to keep David from seeing Elise again. They claim it’s for the greater good of the world. They snatch the paper from David and threaten him with visions of their ruined lives, if they get together. Still, for three years, David never stops searching for Elise. It’s easily the most romantic film I’ve even watched!
15--What is your favorite season?
I’m torn between winter and summer. I love cold, sunny days, the sort that allows me to wear my handknitted sweaters, a puffer jacket and boots. If it snows, that’s even better! I also love plenty of daylight, summer fruits (like blackberries) and outdoor dining, but I can’t stand the heat. Sweating makes me feel dirty and grumpy. If only there’s a season that combines the best of both worlds!
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I like parties but not when I’m the center of attention, so I don’t tend to have big birthday celebrations. Instead, I like to spend the day getting pampered, indulging in things that are normally too expensive to justify. Getting a massage and facial, followed by a three-tiered tray of afternoon tea is top of the list.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I just binge-watched Emily in Paris, season 4. For me, Paris is the central character in this lighthearted show. From various online commentaries, I know there is a big gap between “expectation and reality.” The Paris we see on this show is a manicured fantasy, filled with beautiful, clean cobblestone streets, terrace cafes, and gorgeous people. In reality, Paris shares many of the downsides that are common in other big cities. Even the City of Light isn’t immune to things like bad odors on the Metro, petty crime, and traffic jams. Understandably, for some people, these discrepancies can be annoying, even off-putting. I feel differently. Since “the perfect, romantic Paris” doesn’t exist in real life, I’m happy to visit it via the lens of Emily in Paris. As a side note Marcello (Emily’s new Italian love interest) is a welcomed addition to the cast. He is handsome, charming and principled. Watch Emily in Paris if you’re keen to go on a fantastical tour of the French capital.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
It’s a tie between Cantonese and Italian. From my heritage, I adore seafood dishes like mud crab stir-fried with ginger and scallion. A whole steamed fish doused in sweet soy and peanut oil, with a garnish of cilantro, is another favorite. I’m a huge fan of pasta too, especially ones with a tomato-based sauce. The best Italian dish I have had is linguine served in lobster bisque, topped with cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella—it’s divine!
19--What do you do when you have free time?
At the moment, with three kids and a busy schedule in the lead up to the publication of The Lotus Shoes, I don’t have a lot of free time. When I can snatch an hour, I’d go on a walk by the beach and listen to an audiobook.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I have almost finished the second draft of my next novel—the story has two interwoven perspectives and timelines.
In 1906 Shanghai, amber-eyed Scarlet is the daughter of a Chinese woman and an English physician. Aside from her unusual eye colour, Scarlet feels as plain as a sparrow with little hope of inspiring romantic love. Though her heart yearns for passion, to avoid disappointment, she is determined to channel all her energy into a midwifery career and devote her life to help other women. But Fate has other plans for Scarlet.
A century earlier, beautiful and sweet-tempered Jiayi is a scullery maid on the Gu Estate, in Cloud Mountain, a remote village in central China—her one wish is to be chosen as a concubine for the handsome and accomplished Qilong, the heir. Heaven seems to answer her prayers when she becomes his “Little Wife,” an ambiguous position in the household, but Jiayi, naively, believes it’s a trial phase before he marries her. Life feels too good to be true and Jiayi thinks her future is set but Destiny is a cruel jester.
Scarlet and Jiayi’s lives will intersect in an unexpected way, forcing them to make daunting choices as they grapple with faith and doubts. Their story echoes gothic classics like Jane Eyre and Rebecca.
An empowering, uplifting tale of two women from opposite sides of society, and their extraordinary journey of sisterhood, betrayal, love and triumph.
1800s China. Tightly bound feet, or "golden lilies," are the mark of an honorable woman, eclipsing beauty, a rich dowry and even bloodline in the marriage stakes. When Little Flower is sold as a maidservant—a muizai—to Linjing, a daughter of the prominent Fong family, she clings to the hope that one day her golden lilies will lead her out of slavery.
Not only does Little Flower have bound feet, uncommon for a muizai, but she is extraordinarily gifted at embroidery, a skill associated with the highest class of a lady. Resentful of her talents, Linjing does everything in her power to thwart Little Flower's escape.
But when scandal strikes the Fongs, both women are cast out to the Celibate Sisterhood, where Little Flower’s artistic prowess catches the eye of a nobleman. His attention threatens not only her improved status, but her life—the Sisterhood punishes disobedience with death. And if Linjing finds out, will she sabotage Little Flower to reclaim her power, or will she protect her?
Women's Fiction Historical [Park Row, On Sale: January 7, 2025, Hardcover / e-Book , ISBN: 9780778310679 / eISBN: 9780369751485]
Jane Yang was born in the Chinese enclave of Saigon and raised in Australia where she grew up on a diet of superstition and family stories from Old China. Despite establishing a scientific career, first as a pharmacist and later in clinical research, she is still sometimes torn between modern, rational thinking and the pull of old beliefs in tales passed down through the family. She lives in Australia with her family.
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