#040: Jean Kwok — Overcoming Fear & Rejection & Writing Novels That Move Readers

from London Writers' Salon · host Jean Kwok, Parul Bavishi, Matthew Trinetti

The award-winning novelist Jean Kwok talks about her writing journey from poverty to becoming a bestselling author, how she drafts and plans her novels, why she uses Writers’ Hour to write her novels, and the importance of conflict in her writing. Also how she has overcome continual rejection throughout her life. *ABOUT JEAN KWOKJean Kwok is the award-winning, New York Times and international bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee, Girl in Translation and Mambo in Chinatown. An instant New York Times bestseller, Searching for Sylvie Lee was selected for the Today Show Book Club and featured in The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, CNN, The New York Post, The Washington Post and more. Jean has been chosen for numerous honors including the American Library Association Alex Award, and the Sunday Times Short Story Award shortlist. *RESOURCES:Writers' HourJean’s websiteJean’s books:Searching for Sylvie LeeGirl in TranslationMambo in ChinatownThe Today ShowJenna Bush Hager’s Book Club*For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.comFor free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show! For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers’ Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS’ SALONTwitter: twitter.com/WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you’re enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

What this episode covers

Award-winning novelist Jean Kwok talks about her writing journey from poverty to becoming a bestselling author, how she drafts and plans her novels, why she writes at Writers’ Hour, and how she has overcome continual rejection throughout her life.

NOW PLAYING

#040: Jean Kwok — Overcoming Fear & Rejection & Writing Novels That Move Readers

0:00 1:06:43

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Episode 62: Erica Wagner, Novelist and Literary Editor

May 6, 2026 ·32m

OVNIS: TESTIGOS PERFECTOS CON MANUEL CARBALLAL

Apr 19, 2026 ·111m

LLAMADAS DESDE EL MÁS ALLÁ Y PUERTAS DEL INCONSCIENTE: ARTETERAPIA Y SUEÑOS CON MIGUEL CINTAS

Apr 12, 2026 ·99m

SOMBRAS EN LA LUNA. LO QUE ARTEMIS Y LA NASA NO QUIERE QUE SEPAMOS - Episodio exclusivo para mecenas

Apr 5, 2026 ·67m

EL CAMINO DEL CORAZÓN: JESÚS Y EL DESPERTAR DE CONCIENCIA CON MANUEL FERNÁNDEZ MUÑOZ.

Apr 5, 2026 ·140m

Episode 61: Lorraine Wilson, Speculative Fiction Author

Apr 1, 2026 ·28m

Similar Podcasts

Song Against Songs, The by G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936) LibriVox LibriVox volunteers bring you 9 recordings of The Song Against Songs by G. K. Chesterton. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for October 16, 2011.Chesterton was a large man, standing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing around 21 stone (130 kg; 290 lb). His girth gave rise to a famous anecdote. During World War I a lady in London asked why he was not 'out at the Front'; he replied, 'If you go round to the side, you will see that I am.' On another occasion he remarked to his friend George Bernard Shaw: "To look at you, anyone would think a famine had struck England". Shaw retorted, "To look at you, anyone would think you have caused it". P. G. Wodehouse once described a very loud crash as "a sound like Chesterton falling onto a sheet of tin."( Summary from Wikipedia ) What Works? Sophie Scott, UCL PALS Prof Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, discusses life and science and careers with her colleagues from the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL, and beyond. The aim of the show is to highlight some amazing scientists, and explore their journeys through science and life, and find out what works for them. LA LUZ DEL MISTERIO CON JULIO BARROSO LA LUZ DEL MISTERIO Es el 1er podcast del Misterio en habla hispana desde 1993 y el programa genuino del misterio que se emite desde el centro de Londres, desde el centro de Europa, en London Radio World para todo el universo. Desde hace 31 años, cada semana puedes descargarte las emisiones desde iVoox, iTunes, Spotify, You Tube & Amazon. Y vive el misterio, antropología, astroarqueología, viajes desconocidos, criminología... Vive el Misterio. Pasa, ponte cómodo y disfruta...Si deseas apoyarnos: https://www.ivoox.com/ajx-apoyar_i1_support_29070_1.htmlContacta con nosotros a través de:[email protected] Estamos en Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.Si deseas apoyarnos: https://www.ivoox.com/ajx-apoyar_i1_support_29070_1.htmlhttps://www.ivoox.com/luz-del-misterio-especial-peru-nazca-i-audios-mp3_rf_43511668_1.html Psychos with Ryan Williams Ryan Williams This is a podcast on healthcare, trauma, and the future of mental health.On Psychos, Ryan welcomes storytellers, researchers, comedians, actors, teachers, writers, musicians to discuss their relationship with their health. Ryan's conversational interview style gives guests a place to discuss how they are connected to their health, which will be completely new to listeners. We also have a few breathwork classes, and some older episodes from Ryan's old Influencer Economy podcast. You can follow the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of London Writers' Salon?

This episode is 1 hour and 6 minutes long.

When was this London Writers' Salon episode published?

This episode was published on December 31, 2022.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this London Writers' Salon episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!