Gatekeeping and Barriers to Cultural Representation

Most of my writing regards the cultures of China, or its perception in the west. In order to actually have it be widely read, and engaging, I tend to steer clear of any polemics or drama. This may make my work seem light and carefree, but the bubbling frustrations that I face as a writer do rise up, and it’s much better that I address this in my writing, rather than cutting bloody swathes through the next industry event.  


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Half the Galaxy: Female Writers of Chinese Science Fiction

Through a year of quarantines and lockdowns throughout the world, many women are finding that hard won progress in their emancipation has somewhat diminished. Their roles regressed to the main caregiver, or manager of the house, regardless of their other responsibilities. On this year’s International Women’s Day, it’s important to remember the capabilities and achievements women have pushed forward with, both in spite of gender stereotypes and male bias, and in light of freedoms won. I have recently researched China’s net novelists, and was amazed at the creative output of women who were writing whilst also holding down full time jobs, and labouring under the yoke of domestic responsibility. Science fiction is another realm still primarily considered to be the domain of men, where women’s contribution is often overlooked, especially in China.


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