“Unsavory Elements” Anthology On Sale Through Amazon.com Starting Today

The wait is over! Unsavory Elements — the China anthology featuring my essay (titled “Red Couplets”) — is finally available for purchase through Amazon.com in paperback form (note: Kindle edition will be available August 1 — I’ll make another announcement at that time).

For those of you who missed it, back in March I announced the exciting news about my essay being published in this anthology (which was featured in the Shanghai Literary Festival):

As my friend Susan Blumberg-Kason wrote, the contributor’s list reads like “a who’s who in the China expat literary world.” Those 28 writers include big names such as Peter HesslerSimon Winchester,Michael MeyerDeborah FallowsAlan PaulJonathan Watts and Susan Conley. So for me, it is truly an honor to be in same publication as these distinguished writers. Tom Carter, author of CHINA: Portrait of a People, edited the book and also contributed an essay.

FYI, the essay I wrote centers on love and relationships between Western women and Chinese men, so I’m sure it will resonate with many of you!

Additionally, to whet your appetite, you might also enjoy this take on my essay by a book reviewer for the Global Times:

Jocelyn Eikenburg gives insight into the seldom spoken of (or seen) relationships between foreign women and Chinese men in ‘Red Couplets.’ She writes, ‘From the first time I started to love a Chinese man, hiding became part of my life.’ As she watches droves of Western men couple up with Chinese women, she feels alienated by her expat girlfriends, too, who openly express their romantic disdain for all Chinese men. In a past age, her girlfriends’ blunt commentaries about their preferences for partners would have been edgy, but in the global, expat realm, they are the close-minded and cruel characters of the story.

So what are you waiting for? Head on over to Amazon.com and buy your own copy of Unsavory Elements now.  And when you’re done reading, tell me what you think!

13 Replies to ““Unsavory Elements” Anthology On Sale Through Amazon.com Starting Today”

  1. BTW, in case anyone notices, I just visited Amazon.com and saw the book’s page still claims it is only available for pre-order. I sent a message to Tom Carter, the editor, and will also send a message to the publishers to fix the problem, since the book is supposed to be available for purchase right now. Will update here in the comments once the problem is resolved.

  2. @ Jocelyn. I will definitely buy “Unsavory Elements.” But I am still waiting for your book sharing your experience in China. When will it come out? I cannot wait any longer!!!!!!

    1. @Fred, thanks for your warm support and interest! My book is still in the pipeline…I am hoping to get an agent later this year, who would then help me get a publisher in the next year. So in terms of my book, stay tuned! 😉

  3. Really looking forward to reading this – I think the short stories will suit me as I often lose interest in books and continue reading months later haha!

  4. Woohoo! CONGRATULATIONS, Joss!!! That’s fantastic! I can’t wait to get my copy. I’ll be in Shanghai in a couple of weeks, I’ll see if I can find it there! You go, Girl!

    1. Thank you all! And thanks Sue for buying a copy!

      I have just found out that there is a glitch in the system in terms of the release of the book. The publisher is working on this. In the meantime, you can still purchase a copy — but you’ll need to wait as it won’t ship immediately right now. They just need to fix things w/ their distributor, as the book is supposed to be ready to ship right now. I’ll keep everyone updated on this.

  5. @Jocelyn. Thanks for updating me on the progress of your upcoming publication of your memoirs, which I can no longer wait to read. In the meantime, I will content myself with the “Unsavory Elements.” You rock, girl!!!!!!!

    1. Apologies for taking so long to reply — I’ve been too busy these past few weeks!

      @Fred, thanks! You rock too!

      @Sara, thanks and appreciate your interest in the book! I’ve actually yet to read it — the publisher hasn’t sent out my copies yet. That said, my friend Susan Blumberg-Kason did read it and she was a big fan of Kaitlin Solimine’s essay. Kaitlin is incidentally also working on a novel about a sort of “father-daughter” relationship between a younger Western woman and an elderly Chinese man (based on her own relationship w/ the Chinese “dad” from the host family she lived w/ in Beijing)…she’s a very thoughtful writer, so look out for her.

      @Sveta, thanks! Things are at least going well for my writing, which is something positive.

      @Ordinary Malaysian, thanks! I do hope it’ll hit the bookstores somewhere in your area. And thanks always for your interest in my writing — I’m working hard to get the book out there.

      @China Elevator Stories, thanks for your support and interest!

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