Cindy Pon
This week, we’re celebrating Cindy Pon’s debut! Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and her family immigrated to California in 1980, settling in the suburbs of Los Angeles. She has been writing since she was in elementary school—before she was declared English proficient. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, San Diego, and also earned a Master’s Degree from New York University.
A student to Chinese brush painting, she wanted to combine her love of writing with the Chinese culture, and SILVER PHOENIX : BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA (Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, Spring 2009), was the result. SILVER PHOENIX is a young adult fantasy based in an ancient China-like kingdom incorporating Chinese myth and folklore as well as elements from Cindy’s own imagination. A sequel and a children’s picture book featuring Cindy’s brush art will follow in 2010.
Here’s a little bit about SILVER PHOENIX : BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA (Greenwillow Books / HarperCollins).
Ai Ling has been marked by the Immortals; her destiny lies in the Emperor’s palace, where a terrible evil has lived—stealing souls—for centuries. She must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. And then she meets Chen Yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers.
Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . Ai Ling will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. SILVER PHOENIX: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance–of anything with the making of legend.
SILVER PHOENIX: BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA by Cindy Pon
If you had to give your book a movie rating: G through Rated R, which one would you give and why?
If they stayed true to the story, it would at least be PG-13 or perhaps R, due to sexual elements as well as violence against demonic baddies.
What topics, issues, or themes does your book address? What drove you to write about them?
The themes in Silver Phoenix arose unconsciously for me as a writer. But it fit into the setting and culture of the book. Filial piety (obeying your parents wishes, putting family before self) is a big theme. The sequestering of women within the inner quarters of the home and the expectation of marriage and children for them. My heroine, Ai Ling, struggles with these things. She wants to follow her own heart, but she also wants to please her parents. I also address the idea of the outsider, what happens when you are different than everyone else, what happens when you go against expectations. Also first love…and food. Food is a theme in the book. =)
Name three examples of readers who would identify or like your book.
- The adult reader who enjoys immersing her/himself in a fantasy world would like SILVER PHOENIX.
- The girl teen who likes a tale of a young girl trying to find herself, to follow her heart and destiny, unsure of herself due to a first crush would like my novel.
- Teen boy readers would like the adventure, the journey, the monsters.
List a few statistically improbable phrases or sentences one might find in your book. These are phrases or sentences you might never find anywhere else.
- Dung of a diseased turtle!
- Three-breasted concubine.
Tell us why you think this book is different from the rest.
I feel that SILVER PHOENIX is a unique book in its setting as well as feel. It’s a fantasy tale based in an ancient China-like kingdom, but touches on themes that any teen reader (or adult) can relate to. I truly enjoyed researching Chinese myth and folklore, but also creating monsters and creatures from my own imagination.
Now tell us about other already-published books that readers of your book might enjoy.
- GRACELING by Kristin Cashore
Now whet our appetites with a teaser.
The book lay heavy in Ai Ling’s lap, so massive it covered her thighs. She pressed her knees together, for fear the tome would crash to the ground, otherwise. Bound in a brocaded cover of rich crimson, characters embroidered in gold read: The Book of Making. She didn’t want to open it.
Are you offering authors visits to schools, libraries, or other organizations?
Yes.
Are you willing to speak nationally?
I would love to! Speaking nationally would take more planning on my part as I have a 4 and 5 year old.
List a few example titles of presentations, talks, or workshops you might give for an author visit.
- Popular Chinese folklore
- Mythology
This concludes our interview with our latest author, CINDY PON. We wish her much success with her debut novel SILVER PHOENIX : BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA. To see what Cindy is up to these days, visit her website at http://www.cindypon.com.
*GIVEAWAY ALERT* Cindy is giving away a signed copy of SILVER PHOENIX : BEYOND THE KINGDOM OF XIA. Tell your friends and leave a comment for the author! Enter by May 8th, 2009 11:59 PM CST.
Your email address will not be displayed publicly and will only be used to contact you if you win! And don’t forget to participate in our other AuthorsNow! giveaways.
Comments
1 Jessica Kennedy // May 1, 2009 at 7:39 am
I loved the teaser!
Thanks for the interview! Looking forward to this book!
2 Letter Garden // May 1, 2009 at 8:16 am
I’ve never read a Chinese book. I’d love to read this story! :3
3 sandy // May 1, 2009 at 8:55 am
looks interesting- please count me in
4 The Story Siren // May 1, 2009 at 9:11 am
This book is fantastic! and I LOVED the interview!! count be in for a signed copy!!
5 Dara // May 1, 2009 at 9:12 am
Looking forward to reading it! I loved those teasers and the phrases
6 Kimberly Sabatini // May 1, 2009 at 9:29 am
The book sounds great and I love the cover! Can’t wait to read it!
7 cindy // May 1, 2009 at 9:33 am
testing. and thanks for reading everyone! =D
8 Mike Jung // May 1, 2009 at 9:34 am
“Dung of a diseased turtle” is a pretty enticing phrase! Now I plan to buy one of these and get it signed at the reading in San Francisco, but if I end up with a free signed copy I’m not gonna complain…
9 Polo.Pony // May 1, 2009 at 9:41 am
Thanks for the giveaway! “Silver Phoenix” sounds amazingly good! I love the cover as well!
10 angela // May 1, 2009 at 10:10 am
I can’t wait to read your book. The trailer makes it seem like such an epic tale. And beautiful pic of you BTW.
11 Jes // May 1, 2009 at 10:44 am
This book sounds absolutely fascinating. There are not enough fantasy worlds based on Chinese culture out there. I really look forward to reading it!
12 Martha Flynn // May 1, 2009 at 11:15 am
ditto what Mike said!
13 Niki Smith // May 1, 2009 at 11:17 am
Hah! Love the “three-breasted concubine” imagery; not what I expected to see
14 Remula // May 1, 2009 at 11:18 am
Can’t wait to read the book — hope I win! XD
~Remula
15 Dena Braden // May 1, 2009 at 11:23 am
Congratulations! I am so excited about this book!
16 Para // May 1, 2009 at 12:54 pm
This sounds like a fantastic book with a unique setting. I’ve always loved Chinese mythology, and this book seems right up my alley.
17 Linda Peters // May 1, 2009 at 1:28 pm
would love to read this sounds goods
18 Chen // May 1, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I’m Chinese, so I’m excited to read a YA book about Chinese characters with mythological elements.
19 susan varney // May 1, 2009 at 5:41 pm
this sounds very exciting {Edited to remove email address from comment. Please do not post your email address in your comments. We gather that on the form. Thanks!}
20 Linda Moeller // May 1, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I like the unique twist of Chinese characters & mythology.
21 shannon Baas // May 1, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Looks like an interesting book.
22 Sandra Cormier // May 1, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Cindy, darling… you KNOW what I want: Your success as a writer, and Silver Phoenix!
23 Cheryl F. (The Lucky Ladybug) // May 1, 2009 at 10:56 pm
It’s so exciting to read that “Cindy Pon was born in Taipei, Taiwan” — I was too
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
24 Lesley // May 1, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I am big fan of Cindy’s! Silver Phoenix is such an AWESOME AWESOME book! I heart you, Cindy!!!!
25 Jackie // May 1, 2009 at 11:26 pm
This book sounds amazing! Count me in for the giveaway, and I’ll be putting this on my ‘To Read’ list if I don’t win.
26 Martha Flynn // May 1, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I’m also giving away a signed copy of Silver Phoenix – Cindy just doesn’t know she’s signing the book yet!! Just another week, Cindy!
27 FredTownWard // May 1, 2009 at 11:33 pm
I’d really like to read and review this book.
28 Jean F // May 2, 2009 at 5:21 am
Looking forward to reading your book…..
29 Ellen Jensen Abbott // May 2, 2009 at 5:28 am
Ooooh! Those statistically improbably phrases got me! I hope I win!
30 Christina Brunetti // May 2, 2009 at 8:21 am
I would really love to read this. Great interview.
Thanks so much!
31 Siyi // May 2, 2009 at 9:50 am
This looks quite exciting! I’m looking forward to its release
32 Carol G // May 2, 2009 at 9:57 am
Chinese fantasy is rather unusual to find, so this book sounds a little different.
33 Deedles // May 2, 2009 at 10:26 am
Sounds like a great read.
34 Andy // May 2, 2009 at 10:35 am
Sign me up – I can’t wait to read it!
35 Angela J // May 2, 2009 at 11:27 am
This sounds like a book I would enjoy
36 ShootingStarsMag // May 2, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Great interview. I love this cover so much, and it really does sound like an interesting read. I’d be happy to enter the contest, thanks.
-Lauren
37 beth shepherd // May 2, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Thank you for a giveaway for a fantastic book!
{Edited to remove email address from comment. Please do not post your email address in your comments. We gather that on the form. Thanks!}
38 Debbie // May 2, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I would love a chance to read this book. I have read some great reviews. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
39 Linda // May 2, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I’m looking forward to reading the book.
40 Happy // May 2, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Can’t wait to read it!
41 Renee Collins // May 2, 2009 at 10:51 pm
I bought your book this weekend! I glanced in it as I was standing to line, you hooked me with the first two sentences!
42 Carol Lawrence // May 3, 2009 at 3:53 am
This book has a new and refreshing feel to it,enter me in the giveaway.
43 Vicky Boackle // May 3, 2009 at 4:04 am
this looks interesting.
44 Serenissima // May 3, 2009 at 10:11 am
I’ve been wanting a copy since I read the PW blurb.
45 Henrique Penido // May 3, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Can’t wait to read Silver Phoenix!!!
46 Angela // May 3, 2009 at 6:32 pm
This looks awesome! Can’t wait to read it!
47 Gary Osborn // May 3, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Wooo Hooo Make me a winner!
48 Lexie C. // May 3, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I have to admit I really adored the book–asian fantasy isn’t new for me, but Silver Phoenix read like an epic poem and I found myself enthralled. Plus the coverart is gorgeous!
49 Pamela S // May 3, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Sounds like a really interesting book. Thanks for the giveaway.
50 christopher h // May 3, 2009 at 10:59 pm
this sounds really good, i look forward to reading it
51 Viy // May 4, 2009 at 7:09 am
Oh, I’m looking forward to this one! <3
52 Anne Marie // May 4, 2009 at 11:30 am
If the book is 1/10th as gorgeous as that cover, then it’s going to go places. Count me in!!
53 Stephanie // May 4, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I can’t wait to read this book!!!!
54 Christine // May 4, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Congratulations on the debut! I love Chinese mythology and culture. Can’t wait to pick up a copy
55 Joan // May 4, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Hi Cindy, I just watched your book’s trailer and looking forward to read the book! I’ve always loved dramatic, important novels about the important things.. like the characters and their destinies… Especially liked the part in the trailer that said “a journey becomes a legend”!
Hope I win~
56 cindy // May 5, 2009 at 12:58 am
thanks for all the lovely comments, everyone!!
57 zana walley // May 5, 2009 at 9:51 am
books are my passion. always looing for another good one to read.
58 Susan C // May 5, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Oooh, this looks like a great fantasy!
smchester at gmail dot com
59 Sherrah // May 5, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Looks like a great book! I look forward to reading it.
60 Sarah // May 6, 2009 at 1:38 pm
enter me!
61 stirling bennett // May 6, 2009 at 5:40 pm
It seems like I’ve been waiting for this book forever––count me in!
62 Megan T // May 6, 2009 at 7:41 pm
The cover is beautiful and the story sounds like something I would really enjoy. Even if I don’t win a copy, I plan on picking up a copy of my own.
63 bina edwards // May 6, 2009 at 8:35 pm
looks like another book to add to my read list
64 Anwar // May 6, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Chinese mythology is very interesting, but the “three breasted concubine” line really won me over. I’d love to win this, and thank you for the fantastic interview and great giveaway!
65 desiree kelley // May 7, 2009 at 7:02 am
would love to read it
66 pag // May 7, 2009 at 9:41 am
love to read
67 Ann // May 7, 2009 at 11:08 am
I like how you use some historical accuracies but yet embellish it with your creativity!
I’d love to read this!
68 prplrush // May 7, 2009 at 1:13 pm
The reviews for this book make it sound very interesting and although I’ve never read any of your books before, i would love to give them a try.
69 Brenda Park // May 7, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Sounds like an awesome book, would love to win it. thanks for the chance to win one.
70 Ed Nemmers // May 7, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Love the book cover!
71 Gabriel J. // May 7, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Great read, great contest!
72 Hesper F // May 7, 2009 at 8:28 pm
This looks like a fantastic read!
73 K. Cleaver // May 7, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I’m interested in reading this one!
74 Susan Ledet // May 7, 2009 at 10:13 pm
This sounds like the type of books that I enjoy reading.
I also enjoyed reading your interview.
Thanks for the chance.
75 kathy pease // May 8, 2009 at 4:49 pm
looks like a great book
76 Veronica Garrett // May 8, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Your book sounds very interesting. I can’t wait to read it.
77 cindy pon // May 10, 2009 at 10:19 pm
thanks for commenint everyone!
the winner is hesper f!
hesper, please email me at pon.cindy@gmail.com
i’ll also shoot an email to you once i return from my san fran trip. cheers!
78 cindy // May 11, 2009 at 9:46 pm
the winner is hesper! please email me hesper–and i’ll contact you as well!
pon.cindy@gmail.com
79 Carol Thompson // May 14, 2009 at 11:38 pm
If you are prepared to ship worldwide then please ehter me in the giveaway.
I would like to read the book.
Thank you.
Carol
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