How To Academy Podcast Award winning novelist Rebecca Kuang - Yellowface
Nov 1, 2024
Rebecca F. Kuang, an award-winning author and PhD candidate at Yale, shares her literary journey and the inspiration behind her bestselling novel, 'Yellowface.' She discusses the complexities of success versus personal struggle in the publishing world. The conversation dives into issues of diversity, representation, and the ethical implications of storytelling. Kuang also reflects on the impact of social media on writing and character development, illustrating how personal experiences inform her work. Don't miss her insights on navigating creativity in today's literary landscape.
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The Dusty Owl Moment
- Rebecca describes learning she hit No.1 on the NYT list while holding a barn owl named Dusty in York.
- Her immediate emotion was sobbing and panic at losing that peak moment rather than pure joy.
How 2020 Shaped A Publishing Moment
- Rebecca situates Yellowface in the 2020 publishing moment after George Floyd's murder and the industry reaction.
- She argues many publisher diversity moves aligned with commercial interests, creating a boom-and-bust performance of diversity.
Write First, Explain Later
- Rebecca advises letting a project fully form before pitching to avoid killing its momentum.
- She kept Yellowface private until she wrote 100 pages to preserve creative energy.