Quercus Fiction has obtained the rights to Emma Pei Yin's debut novel, "When Sleeping Women Wake," along with another book.

Publisher Cassie Browne secured UK and Commonwealth rights with Rebecca Saunders from Hachette Australia. Natalie Hallak acquired North American rights at Ballantine in a pre-empt. The novel is set to be published in the summer of 2025. Garzanti has preemptively acquired Italian rights.

A Women-Empowering Story

Pei Yin's novel takes place during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in 1941. It tells the intertwined stories of three women in a complex and detailed narrative. A compelling storyline emerges as they confront the trials of courage, sacrifice, and survival.

Browne described the book as both heartbreaking and hopeful. She emphasized its portrayal of female resistance and untold bravery. Browne also expressed her privilege in collaborating with Pei Yin on this gripping narrative.

Early reader reviews from the team at Quercus and Hachette praised Pei Yin's novel for its writing style, pace, themes, and endearing characters. One review suggests that the book is 'unputdownable,' and another says it is 'discussion-worthy.' Pei Yin, the author, revealed that her inspiration for the novel stemmed from her love for Asian literature and familial stories.

A Trailblazing Advocate and Literary Luminary

Pei Yin, a former bookseller, is a UK-born writer of Hong Kong Chinese descent residing in Australia. She contributes to prestigious publications such as The Mekong Review, The Hong Kong Review, Being Asian Australian, HerCanberra, Aniko Press, and Books + Publishing.

In 2023, Book People and Penguin Random House Australia nominated her as Bookseller of the Year. That same year, her manuscript "Chasing Echoes in the Rain" earned a spot on the shortlist for the Allen & Unwin Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme.

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In 2024, Pei Yin joined Future Women as a senior content manager. Alongside her literary pursuits, she is deeply committed to advocacy work in the migrant women's space. She is an advocate for equal rights for all women and gender-diverse individuals. Pei Yin is passionate about amplifying Asian voices within the Australian literary landscape, driven by a desire for inclusivity and representation. 

A Lifelong Passion for Books

Pei Yin worked as a bookseller in The Book Cow in Kingston. Speaking to Her Canberra, she shared that being a bookseller is a demanding role that required continuous learning about new releases, staying informed about book industry news and current events, and engaging with a diverse customer base. The job's most rewarding aspect for her is connecting with customers and authors through meaningful conversations about books. 

Her affection for books began during childhood, especially when spending summers with her grandparents in London. There, she would witness her grandpa's calligraphy practice on elegant rice paper scrolls, sparking her fascination with the written word, even though she did not grasp its content.

Surprisingly, Pei Yin was not initially drawn to reading books but to admiring her grandfather's creations. While becoming a bookseller was not her childhood aspiration, it now felt like a perfect fit, as if the universe guided her toward the world of books, bringing immense joy and fulfillment.

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