Make-Do Publishing

This April we’re excited to announce the UK launch of our Modern Chinese Masters imprint, which aims to introduce exciting and independent writers from China. The four launch titles include The Road of Others by cult author Anni Baobei, and Fujian writer Chen Xiwo’s controversial crime story I Love My Mum, as well as titles by Jimmy Qi and Li Er.  Make-Do authors Li Er, Anni Baobei and Murong Xuecun will visit the UK for a series of events linked to the 2012 London Book Fair. For full details of Modern Chinese Masters launch events in the UK visit our events page, or sign-up to follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Chen Xiwo will make his first ever visit to the UK for a 1 day English PEN conference on China on Thursday 29 March. Chen famously sued the Chinese government after they banned his book I Love My Mum. The PEN event in London will be a full day of talks and performances that will seek to give a wide ranging view of Chinese culture and writing. Ou Ning, Ma Jian, Jianhong Li and Xinran are also already confirmed for the programme.

Follow Up 

Chen’s Video at English Pen Event

Make-Do Publishing authors Jimmy Qi (齐天大), and Marvin Farkas are guests at ”The Script Road”, the first Macau Literary Festival,  29/01 – 04/02, 2012.  Chinese and Portuguese-speaking writers, filmmakers and artists will showcase, debate and perform their works, exploring differences and common grounds. If you are attending the festival, please  join us for what should be some exciting events.

Make-Do writer Murong Xuecun delivered a powerful speech in Oslo last month, during Chinese literature week at the city’s Literature House. On the subject of freedom of expression for writers, Murong said, In my country, writing is a dangerous occupation. People are sent to prison for writing essays, or saying a few words of truth. You can read the eloquent English translation of the speech by Jane Weizhen Pan and Martin Merz here.

Make-Do Publishing authors Murong Xuecun (幕容雪村), and Chen Xiwo (陈希我) and translator Martin Merz are guests at the Singapore Writers Festival this weekend, 28./10-31/10, along with Make-Do founder Harvey Thomlinson.  If you are attending the festival, please  join us for what should be some exciting events.

On 27 October, 2011, Make-Do Publishing and the Hong Kong International Literary Festival will present an event at Hong Kong’s Culture Club entitled: ‘Written in China: New Trends in Chinese Fiction.’ Join two of Make-Do’s acclaimed Chinese writers, Murong Xuecun (幕容雪村), Chen Xiwo (陈希我) and literary translator Martin Merz, as they discuss aspects of the contemporary China fiction scene, from censorship to genre fiction and celebrity authors, with the moderator, Make-Do founder Harvey Thomlinson.

Make-Do Publishing is excited to confirm that it will publish ‘The Road of Others,’ a collection of stories by cult Chinese novelist Anni Baobei. ‘The Road of Others,’ the first of Anni Baobei’s works to be published in English, is being translated by Keiko Wu and Claire Li.  The collection includes Anni Baobei’s most acclaimed story ‘Goodbye to Anne’ (Gaobie Wei An.) The book will be published in March 2012  under Make-Do’s ‘Modern Chinese Masters’ imprint.

On 27th September 2011, the Bookworm Beijing will host the launch of the English translation of The Magician of 1919 by leading Chinese novelist Li Er.  ‘The Magician of 1919,’ the first of Li Er’s works to be published in English, has been translated by Martin Merz and Jane Weizhen Pan.  Author Li Er and co-translator Martin Merz will both be at the launch. The book is being published under Make-Do’s ‘Modern Chinese Masters’ imprint.

An Eastern Saga author Marvin Farkas will visit Bookazine, Prince’s Building, on Thursday, 11th August from 5:30 to 7pm for an Author Talk and Book Signing. Meet the legendary film man and long-time Hong Kong resident as he reminisces about his life in Hong Kong of the 1950s and 1960s. In his acclaimed memoir An Eastern Saga Marvin describes everything from the high life on the Peak to the dives of Wan Chai and opium dens in the Walled City. The talk will also cover Marvin’s experiences around the Far East, from Malaysian independence to the early years of the Vietnam War, and his meetings with key figures including Zhou Enlai, Sukarno and Ali Bhutto.

Make-Do Publishing has signed a contract with China Rail Publishing to produce a new series of English travel guides called Ancient China. Under the terms of the cooperation, the first three books in the Ancient China series will introduce 108 ancient Chinese villages, 143 ancient Chinese towns and 110 ancient Chinese cities, many of which have never before been featured in English guidebooks.  Lovingly produced with pages of stunning photography, the books are a guide to the scenic charms, buildings, and culture of each ancient village, town and city.