Thread by @joannachiu

It’s launch day!! Drawing on a decade of research, CHINA UNBOUND is now officially published! Thank you so much for everyone's support. Here's one last thread about #ChinaUnbound & options to order here: joannachiu.com/how-to-order

China Unbound weaves historical & political context with my reporting across four continents to present comparative case studies on major topics like Beijing’s far-reaching authoritarianism, the #MengWanzhou saga, and China's growing economic clout through the New Silk Road.

#ChinaUnbound has been selected as a best book of fall by the @globeandmail, @TorontoStar, @quillandquire, @VancouverSun and @cbcbooks!

Publishers Weekly said it is “doggedly reported and fiercely argued, offering essential insight." joannachiu.com/reviews

It’s been endorsed by veteran authors and academics including @WriterWong, Timothy Cheek, @LetaHong, @hofrench, @madeleineodea, @KarolineCQKan and @BobbyGiff27, senior editor at The Economist. I'm very grateful! They read the book in tiny print on their screens! #newbooks

When I left Beijing in 2018, I thought I left the China story behind, but the arrest of #MengWanzhou and hostage-taking of the "two Michaels" sparked my global journey to understand why Western govt's have been so unprepared. I reported across Europe, North America and Australia.

I’m happy to hear feedback from readers like @Ayan604, who called the book a “delicious potato chip–like piece of journalism. You can’t stop at one page!” and Julie, who notes the book comes at a pivotal time in global politics, told through the “ease of a natural storyteller."

It means a lot that China specialists and China-curious readers alike are tearing through the book, finding it packed with information yet “effortless” to read. Greater nuance and context in China discussions couldn’t be more important.

https://twitter.com/JL_Braden/status/1442889427668242445

While the China-based research took place from 2012 to 2018, I also reported across North America, Europe and Australia in 2019 then wrote most of the book (in my basement!) in 2020. I'm immensely grateful to all the colleagues and friends who made this project possible.

I'm happy to have achieved a dream, but my heart is also heavy thinking about the people I featured in the book anonymously. It was my privilege to help tell their stories. Here's an excerpt of one such story from #ChinaUnbound, in @TorontoStar: thestar.com/news/canada/20…

If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, you can find #ChinaUnbound at Indigo or independent bookstores in North America (check indieboung.org), as an ebook or audiobook. I’ve suggested other options on my website:
joannachiu.com/how-to-order

If you want to support the aims of this book, I listed some ways you can amplify the work here. During a pandemic, word of mouth and taking the time to leave reviews is so helpful! nuvoices.com/2021/09/28/joa…

I'm excited about connecting with people at upcoming events! First up is a talk hosted by the @torontolibrary followed by an Instagram Live hosted by @lindsaymwong, and then a @VanWritersFest conversation with @DougSaunders on Oct. 22. RSVP here! joannachiu.com/events

Thank you @VancouverSun @dana_gee for interviewing me about CHINA UNBOUND. vancouversun.com/entertainment/…

More media coverage of #ChinaUnbound is here, and I thank all the journalists and reviewers who are currently reading. joannachiu.com/press

Spotted by @carlywatters - "Economic conditions" isn't a hugely broad category... but you know I'm still framing this and putting it on my desk for future motivation!
Thank you for downloading the ebook! Audiobooks are available for pre-order on @audible_com and coming Oct. 5!

It was very special to spend the afternoon of #pubday recording a conversation for @VanWritersFest with the amazing @DougSaunders, whose writing on international affairs inspired me to work as a foreign correspondent! It airs Oct. 22 - register here! writersfest.bc.ca/event/china-un…

I wouldn’t have been able to write a book if my @TorontoStar colleagues weren’t so supportive of me writing about China. And most of those stories were done with @Nuttallreports! So glad to be on a pod with him hosted by @adrianwkcheung. thestar.com/podcasts/thism…

I went around the world to try to figure out why the West was taken by such surprise at the hostage-taking of the #twoMichaels. To my horror as I completed draft after draft, they were still detained. It is surreal they safely returned home a few days ago. thestar.com/opinion/2018/1…

Many others remain victims of Beijing’s lashing out against critics as well as people like Uyghurs who never participated in political action. I’ve put so much effort in promoting #ChinaUnbound because their stories must be heard.

Link for global orders: hongkongfp.com/2021/05/22/int…

When I first put out feelers to write a book, some of the feedback I got was that basically as a young woman I wouldn’t succeed. So I co-founded @NuVoices to support women and minorities working on China and we’ve collectively proved them wrong since. 💪 nuvoices.com/2021/09/28/joa…

There are suggestions at this link on how to support authors during a pandemic where we’re facing a *book shortage* bc of shipping and paper supply problems SO please apply these tips to support other authors, too! nuvoices.com/2021/09/28/joa…

Lastly, thank yous are overdue for the incredible team @HouseofAnansi. They develop & launch amazing books throughout the year and I’m exhausted with just one so I don’t know how they do it! Editor @m_mac even helped me edit my newsletter this morning! 💕 houseofanansi.com/products/china…

Almost forgot to thanks @thejoramsay, literary assistant extraordinaire to my fabulous agent @carlywatters. The graphics for #ChinaUnbound are her work, and she gives great advice on book promo. As a book lover, I’m so glad to know that the publishing industry is in good hands!

Upcoming #ChinaUnbound virtual events! Most are audience interactive and I’m looking forward to connecting with you! RSVP here: joannachiu.com/events @HouseofAnansi @PSLiterary

And I’m so excited about a fun and informative chat with @lindsaymwong next Friday Oct. 8 where we’ll share the insider dirt on what’s involved in writing non-fiction books and the whole stressful process! Like, figuring out how to design promo videos like this. #books #TBR

https://twitter.com/rhokilpatrick/status/1444120188652122113