Peony
Literary Agency, in Hong Kong, is one of the foremost multi-lingual literary
agencies in Asia. It represents both established and debut authors, organising
translation if needed.
Marysia
Juszczakiewicz, a Mandarin speaker who had previously worked in international
publishing, founded Peony because she believes Asia is the future, and she
wanted to be at the forefront of presenting Asian stories to the west. “Asia
has such a diversity of cultures and voices, with many amazing histories, and
various political systems, and dynasties.” She says. “There is still so much
that is untapped, and I want to see this richness brought to the widest
possible audience.”
Though
Peony is best known for representing Chinese writers, Marysia now looks at all
of Asia when signing up new writers. “Currently I am selling a North Korean
memoir by Jang Jin Sung, the
court poet who, until he defected, created the aura of Kim Il Sung. I’m also
looking at literature in Burma, and I'm in discussion with Indian writers.”
How difficult is it for Peony's writers to break into international markets? “The English language
market is tough.” Says Marysia. “English language publishers have
their own home-grown authors to draw on, and works in translation still
represent a tiny niche market.” Is it better in other markets? “Compared to the U.K., publishers in,
for example, France and Italy, have a better established tradition of taking
works in translation.”
Despite
the challenges Marysia has had great success in cracking the important English
language market, sometimes going to great lengths to ensure her clients reach
this platform: “Digital is the way it's going with comics and graphic
novels. I recently sold world
digital rights in a graphic novel, Darkness Outside The Night, to Tabella. The illustrations are by
Shanghai-based artist Xie Peng who doesn't speak English, whom I paired up with
a writer, Duncan Jepson, who only speaks English. This collaboration was
certainly interesting - Duncan and Xie Peng did not meet during the creative
process, and were unable to communicate directly - but the end result is
wonderful, and has been getting great reviews.”
Whatever
the format, and whether into English, or into any other language, seeing
translations of her authors’ work always pleases Marysia. Recently The Fat Years by Chan Koonchung has been a hit: “It is
available in nearly 20 languages, and seeing all those foreign-language
editions has been a huge thrill.” She is also excited by the increasing
interest in Chinese stories by US film companies: “I represent Yan Geling, who
wrote The Flowers of War.
This was made into a movie directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Christian Bale.
It was internationally distributed, and became a huge blockbuster in China.”
With
this sort of buzz, it’s not surprising that Western publishers are currently
setting up all over Asia, scouting for new writers. So what is Marysia’s advice
for Asian authors looking to be taken on by these international companies?
“That’s easy! Get an Agent!”
Peony
is at: http://www.peonyliteraryagency.com/pc/
Like
them on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peony-Literary-Agency/112370345487487
Jang Jin Sung runs New Focus International, the leading website on North Korea by North Koreans. It is at: http://newfocusintl.com/
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