Nguyen Phan Que Mai received a major breakthrough in her career when she woke up to an email from her literary agent, containing an offer from Algonquin Books, a prominent New York-based publisher, to publish her debut English-language novel, “The Mountains Sing.”

Mai, a writer from Ninh Binh Province in northern Vietnam, crafted “The Mountains Sing” to serve as a vehicle for sharing Vietnamese literature and culture. This poignant novel chronicles the tumultuous journey of a Vietnamese family across the twentieth century, encompassing their ordeals and triumphs during the French Colonial era, the division between the North and the South, the Vietnam War, and the modern-day landscape.

The author’s motivation for writing the novel stemmed from a profound concern that linguistic barriers posed significant hindrances for global readers aiming to engage with Vietnamese literature.

English-language readers had limited access to books on Vietnam, mainly focusing on the Vietnam War. Most of these books were written by Western authors who portrayed Vietnamese characters as secondary and seldom provided them with a voice.

Mai further observed that Vietnamese women are frequently portrayed as victims or marginalized characters with limited agency in Hollywood films.

For several years, a collaborative effort by Mai and several esteemed American poets, including Bruce Weigl, Jennifer Fossenbell, Hilary Watts, and Kwame Dawes, has been devoted to the translation of Vietnamese poetry. Regrettably, their endeavors have garnered limited attention, with publications mainly confined to magazines and small publishers lacking the means for extensive promotion.

Keep pushing forward.

Mai felt compelled to write her stories in English in order to give Vietnamese characters a voice that was missing in the available literature. Her goal was to promote Vietnamese literature to Western audiences and honor her Vietnamese heritage.

Mai encountered numerous challenges over the course of her seven-year project, “The Mountains Sing,” but persevered and triumphed.

At first, she realized that her proficiency in the English language was not sufficient.

She began studying English in the eighth grade and does not consider herself completely fluent yet.

In addition, she sought the expertise of a literary agent who could establish valuable connections with reputable publishers willing to thoroughly review her literary works.

After diligently sending her manuscript of “The Mountains Sing” to a large number of literary agents, she faced multiple rejections with the common response of “we are unable to find readers for your novel.”

However, she was determined to persevere and ensure that Vietnam’s voice was heard on the global literary stage.

Nguyen Phan Que Mai talks with students of Wellspring International Bilingual School in Ho Chi Minh City, April 25, 2022. Photo: Nguyen Phan Que Mai / Tuoi Tre

Patience pays off

After seeking advice from renowned writers across the globe, Mai dedicated ample time to refining her writing prowess. Throughout this painstaking process, she maintained patience, eagerly awaiting an opportunity to find a reputable publisher equipped with a vast distribution network and the necessary financial and logistical means to effectively market and promote her novel.

She completed an online master’s program in creative writing and subsequently pursued a doctoral degree in creative writing at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom.

Mai, a highly accomplished author with 12 published books spanning poetry, fiction, and non-fiction genres, has been honored with prestigious literary awards in Vietnam. Surprisingly, Mai’s exceptional writing career has thrived without the formal training of a writing course.

Additionally, she expanded her literary interests by delving into diverse novels from various regions of the world.

To Mai, writing has become a full-time endeavor, requiring a dedication of ten hours each day.

During this period, she dedicated her time to writing in Vietnamese, nurturing and developing her emotions, before transitioning to English. Over time, she discovered that this approach significantly enhanced the poetic nature of her manuscript.

Furthermore, she developed a strong determination to secure a reputable commercial publisher who recognized the intrinsic value of the story and was willing to make a substantial investment towards its launch.

On March 7, 2017, all of her hard work and dedication finally paid off when she received an email from Julie Stevenson, a literary agent at Massie & McQuilkin, a medium-sized literary agency in New York.

In an email, Stevenson expressed her gratitude for the chance to read Mai’s novel and shared that she found it profoundly touching.

“The narrative encompasses a plethora of significant historical events in Vietnam, and is intricately woven with eloquent prose, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Additionally, the author skillfully crafts unforgettable characters that further enhance the overall storytelling experience,” mentioned Stevenson in her email to Mai.

“I am completely captivated by this content, despite the fact that it contains several painful details.”

This novel is a remarkable achievement.

Stevenson concluded the correspondence by formally accepting to act as Mai’s representative.

Stevenson subsequently assisted Mai in compiling a comprehensive roster of over 20 publishers to whom they could present their book, “The Mountains Sing.”

Those publishers who expressed interest were then sent the manuscript.

Nguyen Phan Que Mai (C) meets her readers in Copenhagen, Denmark, October 27, 2022. Photo: Facebook Nguyen Phan Que Mai

Disrupted Plan

Mai vividly recalls the moment she awakened in Brussels, Belgium on June 1, 2017 at the early hour of 5:30 am. After rising from her slumber, she discovered an electrifying email from Stevenson, informing her of Algonquin Books’ offer to publish her renowned literary work, “The Mountains Sing,” in the United States. Additionally, they expressed an interest in acquiring the copyright for global distribution.

Following a thorough discussion, Mai and Stevenson reached a mutual understanding and subsequently decided to enter into a publishing contract with Algonquin Books within the same year.

Mai dedicated several months to diligently preparing for the anticipated release of the book in 2020.

Unfortunately, the highly anticipated book launch tour organized by Algonquin Books, which had been in the works for almost a year, had to be cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to bookstores closures, numerous readers have expressed frustration over undelivered orders placed on Amazon for their desired books.

When Mai started to feel like her writing career was on hold, multiple media outlets started publishing articles about “The Mountains Sing.”

Algonquin Books had distributed numerous proofreads to the press, critics, and diligent readers approximately six months ago.

“The Mountains Sing” received accolades from prominent newspapers like the New York Times and Washington Post, as well as esteemed publications in the publishing industry such as Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.

Many reader reviews were also shared on social networks and reading sites, expressing their thoughts and emotions about the book.

Despite the challenging circumstances brought about by the global pandemic, Mai remained dedicated to conducting remote advertising activities. She contributed articles on Agent Orange for reputable publications such as the New York Times, showcased her expertise in writing skills on the Poets & Writers podcast, and provided insightful perspectives on her motherland on the Literary Hub.

In addition to authoring the book, she actively engaged in interviews, featured on numerous radio shows, and successfully marketed the novel through online platforms as well as speaking engagements with educational institutions, book clubs, and libraries.

After the subsiding of the pandemic, “The Mountains Sing” received its initial international acknowledgment as the 2021 Nonfiction Runner-up for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize in the fiction genre.

Nguyen Phan Que Mai, author of R (2nd prize winner), had the opportunity to connect with her readers in Copenhagen, Denmark on October 27, 2022. The event was captured in a photo shared on Facebook.

Following her attendance at the Dayton Literary Peace Prize award ceremony in November 2021, Mai embarked on a promotional tour across 13 cities in the United States to support her book.

The content below has received several prestigious accolades, including the 2020 BookBrowse Best Debut Award, the 2021 International Book Awards, the 2021 PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award, and the 2020 Lannan Literary Award Fellowship for Fiction.

The content has been translated into 14 languages and Mai has had the opportunity to tour various countries including the UK, Italy, France, Belgium, Denmark, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

During these trips, Mai had the opportunity not only to promote her book but also to gain valuable insight into the preferences of international readers, who were clearly drawn to narratives embedded with a strong sense of national identity.

New English Book

Mai, an accomplished author, has earned recognition for her dedication to advocating for the rights of disadvantaged groups in Vietnam. Moreover, she has also made significant contributions to the field of education by establishing multiple scholarship programs. These impactful endeavors have led to her inclusion in the prestigious Forbes Vietnam’s 2021 list of 20 inspiring women.

Mai has dedicated the past seven years of her life to crafting her second English novel, titled “Dust Child,” after the initial publication of her article “Finding abandoned children in Vietnam” in the prestigious Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on September 6, 2015. Now, she is ready to release this highly anticipated book.

The article proved instrumental in reuniting an American veteran with his long-lost family, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of showcasing narratives centered around young individuals with mixed heritage and their familial connections.

Stevenson and Algonquin Books will continue to support the publication of “Dust Child,” a book that is set to be released in the United States on March 14. This captivating novel has been copyrighted by Algonquin Books in 10 countries.

From March to May, Mai will be embarking on a multi-city tour across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia to connect with her avid readers in each location. With over 20 cities on her itinerary, Mai is excited to engage and meet with her supportive fanbase around the world. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet Mai and join in on the lively discussions and book signings at a city near you!

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