Asian Publishers Week
Participant
LIN Jian
Country : Chinese
Company : WRITERS PRESS PTE. LTD.
Job Title : Managing Director
E-mail : linjian_2000@yahoo.com
Work Experience in Publishing
Founder and Chief editor of Writers Press Pte. Ltd. As Founder and Chief Editor of Writers Press, LIN Jian has led the company since its establishment in 2021, overseeing every stage of the publishing process from manuscript evaluation and editorial development to design, production, marketing, and distribution. Her first publication, Zebra Crossing, provided hands-on experience in managing the complete publishing lifecycle and laid the foundation for the press’s editorial approach.
Since then, she has built a catalogue spanning poetry, fiction, essays, and oral histories, working closely with authors to develop books that combine strong literary quality with thoughtful design and production. Beyond publishing individual titles, she has gained practical experience in catalogue planning, audience development, and bringing independent works to the market.
The press’s publications have been shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize and the Singapore Book Awards, featured in reading recommendations by the National Library Board and Lianhe Zaobao, and selected titles have been distributed in the Chinese market. These experiences have strengthened her understanding of both the creative and commercial aspects of publishing and reinforced the importance of editorial collaboration, rights development, and cross-cultural exchange. Asian Publishers Week represents a natural next step in expanding these experiences through long-term international publishing partnerships.
Current Projects
At Writers Press, our current publishing strategy focuses on the intersection of independent publishing, international rights development, and responsible digital innovation. Building on the successful licensing of
selected titles into mainland China, we are currently developing collaborative publishing projects with established Chinese publishing partners to bring literary works to new readerships through cross-cultural editorial exchange.
At the same time, we are exploring how emerging technologies can strengthen rather than diminish independent publishing. Our early experiences with digital publishing showed that simply transferring print content to digital platforms does not meaningfully expand readership or engagement. Instead, our interest lies in practical applications of AI that support publishers without compromising editorial integrity. Current areas of exploration include metadata optimisation, rights management, and improving the discoverability of independent titles across international markets.
Through the Asian Publishers Week, we hope to exchange experiences with publishers facing similar opportunities and challenges, learn from different approaches to digital transformation, and identify partners for future rights, licensing, and editorial collaborations. We see these conversations as the foundation for long-term publishing relationships that benefit both our catalogue and the wider international publishing community.
Experience Related to This Year’s Topic
As Founder and Chief Editor of Writers Press, I have approached AI as a practical tool to support independent publishing rather than replace the editorial judgement that defines it. My work has focused on identifying where technology can improve publishing workflows while preserving the individuality of authors and the integrity of each book.
One area of experimentation has been digital publishing and reader engagement. Through early digital publishing initiatives, our team observed how readers interacted with digital formats and identified barriers to discoverability and sustained engagement. These experiences have shaped our current exploration of AI-assisted metadata optimisation and content discovery, with the aim of helping independent titles reach broader audiences without compromising their editorial identity.
My work also extends to international rights and licensing. As we develop cross-border publishing projects with Chinese publishing partners, I have become increasingly interested in how AI can support multilingual editorial workflows, translation preparation, and rights administration while maintaining careful human oversight. These collaborations have reinforced the importance of balancing operational efficiency with respect for authorship, copyright, and cultural nuance.
More broadly, I see AI as an opportunity for publishers to strengthen the value of editorial expertise. By combining technological innovation with responsible publishing practices, I hope to contribute to ongoing conversations about how AI can support a more sustainable, ethical, and internationally connected publishing ecosystem.
In Singapore, conversations around AI and publishing are increasingly shaped by the need to balance technological innovation with strong governance, copyright protection, and editorial responsibility. Rather than viewing AI solely as a productivity tool, many publishers are exploring how it can support editorial workflows, improve discoverability, and strengthen rights management without diminishing the role of human authors and editors.
One significant development has been Singapore’s supportive regulatory environment for AI. The Copyright Act’s Computational Data Analysis exception provides greater legal clarity for text and data mining under defined conditions, while IMDA’s recent AI transparency initiatives, including voluntary “nutrition labels” for generative AI systems, reflect a broader emphasis on responsible and trustworthy AI adoption. These developments encourage publishers to experiment with AI while remaining mindful of transparency, accountability, and copyright considerations.
At the same time, the publishing community continues to debate important questions around authorship, intellectual property, and the appropriate role of AI in creative work. While AI can reduce administrative workloads, improve metadata quality, support multilingual publishing, and enhance content discovery, overreliance on automated content generation risks weakening editorial quality and reader trust. For independent publishers in particular, maintaining distinctive editorial voices remains a key competitive advantage.
Looking ahead, I believe Singapore’s greatest opportunity lies not only in adopting AI responsibly but also in contributing to international conversations on ethical publishing practices. By sharing experiences across markets, publishers can develop approaches that embrace technological innovation while preserving the creativity, cultural diversity, and editorial integrity that underpin the publishing industry.
What would you like to discuss related to this year’s topic?
At the Roundtable and Forum, I would like to discuss how independent publishers can adopt AI in ways that strengthen rather than standardize publishing. In particular, I am interested in the intersection of borderless publishing, copyright and licensing, and editorial practice.
Through our experience developing cross-border publishing projects with Chinese publishing partners, we have seen both the opportunities and complexities of working across different languages, legal frameworks, and publishing cultures. I would welcome discussions on how AI can support multilingual editorial workflows, rights administration, and discoverability while maintaining transparency, protecting authors’ rights, and respecting cultural nuance.
I am equally interested in learning how publishers in different markets are approaching these challenges. By sharing practical experiences and comparing emerging practices, I hope we can identify approaches that make international collaboration more efficient while preserving the editorial judgement and creative diversity that remain at the heart of publishing.
Connection to Korean Publishing
While Writers Press has not yet established formal relationships with Korean publishers, we have been following the growing international presence of Korean literature and the efforts of organizations such as the Publication Industry Promotion Agency of Korea (PIPA) and the Literature Translation Institute of Korea (LTI Korea) in promoting cross-cultural publishing exchange. As we begin exploring the Korean market, we are particularly interested in connecting with publishers whose catalogues emphasize literary fiction, poetry, and culturally significant works. We hope KOPUS will provide an opportunity to better understand the Korean publishing landscape and identify partners whose editorial vision complements our own.
During the event, I hope to meet stakeholders whose editorial focus and international outlook align with Writers Press’s publishing vision.
I am particularly interested in connecting with established literary publishers such as Changbi Publishers, Munhakdongne Publishing Group, and Minumsa Publishing Group. Their commitment to literary publishing and the development of contemporary Korean writing makes them natural partners for discussions on translation rights, reciprocal licensing, and future editorial collaboration, particularly in fiction and poetry.
I would also welcome opportunities to engage with Literature Translation Institute of Korea to better understand Korea’s translation ecosystem and explore avenues for introducing Singaporean literature to Korean readers while facilitating literary exchange in both directions. I would present a book published by Writers Press about a deep psychological exploration of South Korean actor Kim Nam-gil’s early works. The author transitions from a passive viewer to an active aesthetic companion, offering unique insights into his characters and plotlines.
Finally, I am keen to learn from digital publishing innovators such as Millie’s Library. As independent publishers continue to adapt to changing reading habits, I am interested in exchanging perspectives on digital discoverability, reader engagement, and how technology can complement—not replace—carefully curated publishing.
Your reasons for applying to Asian Publishers Week 2026.
My motivation for applying to Asian Publishers Week 2026 is to deepen Writers Press Pte. Ltd.’s engagement with the wider Asian publishing community at a time when international collaboration and technological change are reshaping the industry. As an independent publisher, I believe that sustainable publishing partnerships are built through dialogue, shared experience, and a mutual commitment to bringing literature across languages and cultures.
In recent years, our work has expanded beyond Singapore through cross-border publishing initiatives in China, reinforcing the value of editorial collaboration and international rights development. Asian Publishers Week is a timely opportunity to build on these experiences by connecting with publishers across the region, exchanging perspectives on translation, licensing, and cross-cultural publishing, and exploring partnerships that can continue beyond the event.
I am particularly interested in this year’s focus on AI and publishing. As Writers Press explores the responsible use of AI in areas such as editorial workflows, metadata, and discoverability, I hope to learn from fellow publishers while sharing our own experiences as a boutique press. I see Asian Publishers Week not only as a place to develop new collaborations, but also as an opportunity to contribute to a more connected, resilient, and forward-looking Asian publishing ecosystem.
Your Company Profile WRITERS PRESS PTE. LTD.
Company Name: WRITERS PRESS PTE. LTD.
Company Address: 2 Leng Kee Road #05-09 Thye Hong Centre Singapore 159086
Number of Employees: 2
Specialty: Literature
Writers Press is a Singapore-based boutique publisher committed to publishing books of lasting literary and artistic value. We reject industrialized, assembly-line production, believing instead that every book deserves careful editorial attention and thoughtful design. From typography to paper selection, each publishing decision is made in service of the author’s voice and the reading experience.
Our work is grounded in the belief that publishing is both a creative and cultural practice. We collaborate closely with authors through every stage of the publishing process, from manuscript development and editing to translation, design, production, and readership engagement. By preserving authentic stories and making them accessible to wider audiences, we aim to contribute
to cultural continuity while nurturing meaningful connections between writers and readers.
Since our establishment, titles published by Writers Press have been shortlisted for several Singapore literary honours, including the Singapore Literature Prize, the Best Book Cover Design Award, and the Readers’ Choice Award. Our publications have also been featured in World Book Day reading recommendations, with selected titles reaching readers in the Chinese market through overseas distribution.
Building on these experiences, we are increasingly focused on developing international publishing relationships through translation, rights exchange, and editorial collaboration. We believe that literature flourishes through cross-cultural dialogue, and we are committed to building partnerships that allow stories from Singapore and beyond to travel across languages, markets, and communities.