First of all, congratulations on your debut novel. How does it feel to be a published author?
Very surreal. I keep waiting for some ancestor to appear in my dream and tell me they are “surprised” by my bold move to become an author, then lament that they wish I had stuck with law before asking me for a list of critics, influencers and movie producers they have to “subtly influence” for various reasons. I’m also waiting to see my book in the wild, on some bookstore’s shelf, then maybe this will start to feel real to me.
Could you share with our readers how you secured a book deal with a large US publisher?
The rule (and there are exceptions) to securing a deal in traditional publishing is to first of all get yourself an agent. I wanted to be published in the US, so I matched up with my agent after pitching for one and getting offers, and she sold the book for me over a week.
Could you share with our readers how you secured a book deal with a large US publisher?
The rule (and there are exceptions) to securing a deal in traditional publishing is to first of all get yourself an agent. I wanted to be published in the US, so I matched up with my agent after pitching for one and getting offers, and she sold the book for me over a week.
Can you briefly explain the storyline for Last Tang Standing? What inspired you to write the story?
Last Tang Standing follows the adventures of a Chinese-Malaysian lawyer called Andrea Tang, who is on track for partnership in Singapore and who starts, through a series of dating and career mishaps, to move toward the life she really wants, even if it’s not the one she (or her family) has been working for. It’s written in diary form and follows Andrea over the course of a year.
What is your next project?
A sequel to Last Tang Standing—if this one sells well. Ha ha.
You are now a full-time author. How did this transition happen form being a legal counsel?
I was working in Luxembourg as a legal counsel with the central bank. I had an idea of writing a novel but could never muster the time or energy for it after a long day at work. Then I moved to Singapore with my husband and decided to re-join the humanitarian sector. I worked with an international humanitarian aid organization for 4 years and during this time, I finally had the bandwidth to express myself creatively, whether it was through amateur stand up comedy or writing short stories again. Not long after I sold my book, my husband was seconded to Malaysia, so I resigned to move home and work full-time as an author.
Are you based full time in Malaysia or are you travelling back and forth from Singapore?
I’m currently based in Malaysia for the year, although I will be traveling quite a bit for this book’s promo once the travel restrictions lift and it is prudent to do so.
Which are your favourite films and/or books and are there any particular ones that inspired you to write Last Tang Standing?
Growing up, I loved Sue Townsend’s Adrian Mole series of comedic fiction and Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones’s Diary series, and while they are certainly books that inspired the diary elements of Last Tang Standing, once you’ve read mine it will be clear that this is a creation that, as one of my reviewers said, feels wholly original.
What do you want readers to walk away with after reading Last Tang Standing?
First and foremost, I would love if every reader walked away thinking, wow, that was fun, I haven't laughed like this since [*insert appropriate childhood memory*]. Life can be really bleak, and if I can make someone laugh, and in the process, learn to empathize with a character whose cultural and ethnic background differ from theirs, I've done my job.
I’m also especially proud to be putting out a book with complex, unique and talented characters from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds that aren’t afraid of pursuing success and love in their own way, while minding their culture and traditions. It was so important for me to show that because there aren’t many contemporary novels in English about people from my part of the world that are published internationally.
Last Tang Standing is available now at BookaliciousMY. Get your copy now