Lijia Zhang
Lijia Zhang 张丽佳 | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 1, 1964 Nanjing, China |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, public speaker |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Education | Goldsmiths, University of London (MA) |
| Period | 1999 – present |
| Literary movement | Memoir |
| Notable works | "Socialism Is Great!": A Worker's Memoir of the New China |
| Website | |
| zhanglijia | |
Lijia Zhang (Chinese: 张丽佳; pinyin: Zhāng Lìjiā; born May 1, 1964 in Nanjing) is a Chinese writer, journalist and public speaker. She describes herself as a communicator between China and the world[1] and has given talks at conferences about contemporary China. She has given lectures at Stanford University, Harvard University, and the University of Sydney.[2]
Early life and education
As a child, Zhang wanted to become a writer. At the age of 16, she left school and began working in a factory. During the decade at the factory she taught herself English.[3] In 2003, she was able to attend Goldsmiths, University of London, where she earned a master's degree in creative writing.[4]
Career
Her articles have been published in many newspapers and magazines. She co-authored China Remembers (OUP, 1999) and her memoir "Socialism Is Great!": A Worker's Memoir of the New China,[5] is published by Atlas & Co. and Random House and has been translated into seven languages. During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, she served as a producer for the BBC crew reporting the games. She was the subject of a BBC TV documentary Peschardt's People. Sponsored by the United States Department of State, she was a fellow on the University of Iowa's International Writing Program in 2009.[6] Her first novel, Lotus, about prostitution set in modern day Shenzhen, was published in 2017.[7]
She is a regular guest on ABC, BBC and CNN.
Career
Zhang was married to Calum MacLeod, a British reporter for USA Today. In 2018, she moved from Beijing to London with her two daughters.[8][9]
References
- ^ Barnes, Nicole E. (June 10, 2008). "China Annals: Interview with Lijia Zhang". The China Beat. Retrieved October 13, 2020 – via Blogger.
- ^ ""Socialism is Great!": From Rocket Factory Girl to International Media". ceas.stanford.edu. Stanford Center for East Asian Studies. October 27, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Kahn, Joseph (April 13, 2008). "Party Girl". The New York Times. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "A window into the new China: Lijia Zhang's 'Lotus' « Amitav Ghosh". Retrieved December 10, 2020.
- ^ ""Socialism Is Great!": A Worker's Memoir of the New China: Lijia Zhang: 9780977743377". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- ^ "2009 IWP Participants". iwp.uiowa.edu. University of Iowa. 2009. Archived from the original on October 9, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Zimmerman, Jean (January 11, 2017). "Earthy 'Lotus' Is A Fascinating Flower". NPR. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
- ^ Zhang, Lijia. "About". lijiazhang.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Zhang Lijia moves to London – China Speakers Bureau". Retrieved December 10, 2020.
External links
- Interview with Lijia Zhang, The Beijinger, March 10, 2008
- Writer and journalist Lijia Zhang, ABC, 5 September 2008
- Come the Workers!’, The New York Times, May 30, 2009
- Speech at TEDx Beijing 2010
- Profile at China Speakers Agency
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
- 1964 births
- Living people
- 20th-century Chinese women writers
- 20th-century journalists
- 21st-century Chinese novelists
- 21st-century Chinese women writers
- 21st-century journalists
- Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London
- Chinese women journalists
- Chinese women novelists
- International Writing Program alumni
- Women memoirists
- Writers from Nanjing