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Interview & Giveaway with Mingmei Yip, author of Song of the Silk Road
April 12th, 2011
Today I have an interview with Mingmei Yip, author of Song of the Silk Road, to share with you all. I love the cover of this book, it’s just beautiful. I haven’t been able to fit in reading Song of the Silk Road this month but I hope to have a review for you all in early May. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this book which makes me anxious to experience it for myself. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this interview (pre-prepared) with Mingmei Yip…
1. Can you tell us something about yourself that not a lot of your readers don’t know?
Besides my hectic writing schedule, that I still manage to take time to perform the Chinese zither (guqin) professionally – last year I was invited by Carnegie Hall to play at its Chinese Music Festival — and teach calligraphy workshops.
2. Are you working on anything else at the moment?
Yes, my fourth novel set in the 20ies Shanghai about a woman spy working for a gangster. I am also writing and illustrating my second children’s book.
3. Which part of SONG OF THE SILK ROAD was the most enjoyable to write?
There are a few. First, the love-making scene in the desert, imagining golden singing sand dunes, the unrelieved heat, the passion…all aphrodiasical.
Another sequence I particularly enjoyed is the protagonist Lily Lin’s platonic love with one of her admirers – an Ughur healer who loves and protects her without asking anything back from her. Later, upon learning his tragic story she discovers she can open her yin eye to see beings from the realm of the dead.
4. What are you currently reading?
A collection of ancient Chinese poems called Songs of the South. Many of the poems tell of legendary beings and their otherworldly sojourns, some are frankly erotic.
I’m also reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and awed by his ability to create magic with words, something I also aspire to.
5. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
No. I work on each until it is as good as I know how to make it. Then I move on to the next one.
__________
Thank you so much for joining us today with this wonderful interview Mingmei! I’m really looking forward to reading and enjoying your novel!
__________
About the Book (from Kensington Publishing)
In this richly imaginative novel, Mingmei Yip—author of Peach Blossom Pavilion and Petals From the Sky—follows one woman’s daunting journey along China’s fabled Silk Road.
As a girl growing up in Hong Kong, Lily Lin was captivated by photographs of the desert – its long, lonely vistas and shifting sand dunes. Now living in New York, Lily is struggling to finish her graduate degree when she receives an astonishing offer. An aunt she never knew existed will pay Lily a huge sum to travel across China’s desolate Taklamakan Desert – and carry out a series of tasks along the way.
Intrigued, Lily accepts. Her assignments range from the dangerous to the bizarre. Lily must seduce a monk. She must scrape a piece of clay from the famous Terracotta Warriors, and climb the Mountains of Heaven to gather a rare herb. At Xian, her first stop, Lily meets Alex, a young American with whom she forms a powerful connection. And soon, she faces revelations that will redefine her past, her destiny, and the shocking truth behind her aunt’s motivations.
Powerful and eloquent, “Song of the Silk Road” is a captivating story of self-discovery, resonant with the mysteries of its haunting, exotic landscape.
Check out the Book Trailer…
About the Author (from Kensington Publishing)
Mingmei Yip was born in China, received her Ph.D. from the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and held faculty appointments at the Chinese University and Baptist University in Hong Kong. She’s published five books in Chinese, written several columns for seven major Hong Kong newspapers, and has appeared on over forty TV and radio programs in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, and the U.S. She immigrated to the United States in 1992, where she now lives in New York City.
Visit Mingmei Yip’s website
Find Mingmei Yip on Facebook
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have one copy of Song of the Silk Road to share with my readers. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address to contact you (no email, no entry).
- For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you and please let me know in your comment so I can pass the extra entry on to you.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word!
This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents (no PO boxes) and I will be drawing for the winner on Saturday, May 7/11. Good luck to you all!
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Filed under Guest Interviews | Comments (63)
I'd love to read more books about life in China–sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway.
bibliophilebythesea AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for the give away.
I follow
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net
This sounds very interesting, and I love the beautiful cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
extra entry – Google follower
So very cool that she also plays the Chinese zither! I would love to hear that! This was a great interview, and I would love the chance to read the book, so please do enter me in your wonderful giveaway!
zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
I also follow your blog through google reader
I would love to read this book, it sounds really good.
I am a old gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
What a gorgeous book cover. I love it! And I'd love to win a copy of the book!
I follow your blog.
Thanks!
allisonmharper@hotmail.com
Thanks for this great giveaway and the interesting interview. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the opportunity!
pocokat AT gmail DOT com
I follow on GFC
pocokat AT gmail DOT com
This sounds like a great read. PLease enter me in the contest. Already a follower
heatherdpear at hotmail dot com
I would love to be entered!
I follow your blog.
akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com
Talk about talented – I wonder if Yip ever sleeps.
I subscribe in Google Reader.
kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
thanks for the draw.I am a subscriber.Lomazowr@gmail.com
Thanks for the chance.
+1 I am a GFC follower
mk261274 at gmail dot com
I'd love to be entered to win this one. Sounds great.
Old follower on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Nice interview
I read about this book in the Book Page and it sounds really good. I would love to win a copy.
Follower
greycatwhitepaws@aol.com
Love the cover of this book. And the author is rather interesting also.
pboylecharley(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you for another great giveaway!
Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com
Please enter me.
dancealert at aol dot com
GFC Follower (ArtsyBookishGal)
Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com
I'm a follower by GFC and a subscriber.
dancealert at aol dot com
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/ArtsyBookishGal/status/57996563737346048
Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com
I posted this to my blog:
http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/04/peeking-between-pages-interview-and.html
DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com
dancealert at aol dot com
I absolutely loved Shanghai Girls by Lisa See! So, naturally when I saw this book, I knew I have to read it soon! Thank you for the opportunity to try and win this and pls know that if I do win, it will be passed forward so someone else can enjoy it as well (as all my books are!).
sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you EVERYwhere- Facebook, Twitter and I subscribe.
sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/InventingMyself/status/58020412352757760
I so enjoy reading books about China since it's a country I do not know much about. It's history is fascinating.
Thanks for the contest!
jennygirl73[at]gmail[dot]com
Oh yes and I'm a follower from way back int he day
+2
This looks like a really great book-thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
I'm a follower.
The Cover of this book is beautiful and makes me want to read it.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I follow you via gfc
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/58270103187365888
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
Im a follower!
elizabeth_717@live.com
I'm a follower.
Lizallrich2@gmail.com
I'm a sucker for Chinese setting and the whole story sounds like it will be an amazing read!!
I love books about other cultures. Please count me in!
I follow
Blogged:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-4-09-11.html
nfmgirl AT gmail dOT com
Thanks for the giveaway! What I've heard about this book makes it sound very interesting. I'm a new GFC follower.
susanna dot pyatt at student dot rcsnc dot org
I'd love to read this book!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I'm a follower.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Sounds interesting. I would like to try it.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I am an old follower.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/59362148773670912
lag110 at mchsi dot com
I've seen this book now on a few blogs and every time I get even more excited about it.
frellathon(at)gmail(Dot)com
I already follow you
frellathon(at)gmail(Dot)com
Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway! I am huge on Asian Literature and I would definitely LOVE to read this book
I am your old GFC follower!
evie(at)gmail(dot)com
THANK YOU!!
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/InventingMyself/status/58020412352757760
would love to read! kathy
readwalk1@gmail.com
Please count me in. Thanks for the giveaway.
I follow on GFC
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I follow you via GFC (skkorman)!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Looks interesting…thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
+1 follower via GFC
What an interesting interview. I am a follower who would like to be entered in the giveaway. My email is brozbooks@cox.net.
Thanks!
Excellent interview. The book sounds wonderful! Thank you for posting this, Darlene.
I am a faithful follower, and I've posted this in my blog's sidebar.
suko95(at)gmail(dot)com
Please count me in for this giveaway. Thanks!
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow on GFC as Melanie L and I subscribe by email.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a very interesting book. I'd really like to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I follow on GFC(Anita Yancey).
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
Sounds like a great book.
enter me to win
amhengstATverizonDOTnet
+1 I follow your blog
I am also a blog follower +1
I enjoy reading books set in Asia
thank you
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com
I follow
chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com