Taiwanese novel to be published in English by Penguin Random House

Taipei, Feb. 24 (CNA) Penguin Random House, one of the world's biggest publishers, will translate and publish "A Perfect Day for Heading to Oven" (進烤箱的好日子), a novel by Taiwanese author Lee Chia-ying (李佳穎), according to the novel's Taiwanese publisher.

The book, which won the fiction category of this year's Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE) Book Prize, follows protagonist A-Dan, a novelist who decides to write a memoir about her adolescence after experiencing writer's block.

In a statement released on Friday, the book's Taiwanese publisher "Tzu Chuan Hsing Chiu" (自轉星球) shared its excitement about Lee's work gaining international recognition.

It also thanked authors who have previously raised the international profile of Taiwanese literature, including Wu Ming-yi (吳明益), Kevin Chen (陳思宏) and Yang Shuang-zi (楊双子).

The book deal proves that Taiwan's literary works can compete with bestsellers from other countries, the publisher said.

In a separate statement also released on Friday, Lee said Penguin Random House's interest in her book showed that "the world wants to hear Taiwan's voice."

"We have endless possibilities, and we are worth your while," she said.

Lee said she initially wondered why Penguin Random House had taken an interest in her book, given that no English translation was available.

She later discovered via a letter from an editor at Penguin Random House that Emily Chuang (莊靜君), who owns the publisher Emily Books Agency, had praised Lee's novel at the TiBE.

The editor then brought a copy back to the company to be read by two literary critics who could read Chinese, and their feedback ultimately secured the deal, Lee said.

The publication date for the translated work has not yet been announced.