Asian Publishers Week
Participant
Yang Yahui
Country : Taiwan
Company : Waves Press
Job Title : Editor in Chief
E-mail : wavespress.pr@gmail.com
Work Experience in Publishing
I have over twenty years of experience in Taiwan’s publishing industry. In the earlier years of my career, I worked as a magazine editor, reporter, and columnist. In more recent years, I have become a senior book editor. Over time, I’ve also taken on various roles, including marketing and project planning, eventually becoming a well-rounded publishing professional. In particular, I have been dedicated in recent years to introducing outstanding authors from around the world, with the hope of broadening the minds and horizons of Taiwanese readers.
Current Projects
In recent years, I have continued to actively introduce outstanding literary authors from around the world—ranging from Denmark to East Africa, and from South Korea to the UK and the United States. Translating exceptional works of both novels and short stories has remained a central focus of my work. More recently, I have also dedicated myself to nurturing talented Taiwanese writers, with the hope of publishing their works in multiple international editions in the future.
Main Interest
Literature, music, film, travel, food, and cooking.
Experience Related to This Year’s Topic
I have a deep interest and passion for this topic. For example, with Korean author Han Kang recently winning the Nobel Prize in Literature, I’m reminded of my previous work introducing several novels by Korean writer Park Sang-young to Taiwanese readers—one of the key reasons being his nomination for the International Booker Prize. Similarly, Taiwanese author Yang Shuangzi received the National Book Award for Translated Literature in the United States, and I am actively working to promote more Taiwanese writers on the international stage.
What would you like to discuss related to this year’s topic?
Han Kang’s recent win has indeed stirred great excitement in Taiwan, as we share a cultural and regional connection within Asia. I believe literature should engage with voices from around the world, regardless of race or background—but it’s also true that Asia has been relatively absent from the global literary spotlight for quite some time. This moment may well represent a new opportunity.
In the past, I’ve read authors like Haruki Murakami and Ryu Murakami from Japan, Park Sang-young from Korea, and of course, my deepest focus has always been on Taiwanese writers such as Wu Ming-yi and Yang Shuangzi. Asian literature needs to continue speaking out and being seen on the international stage—this not only enriches global cultural dialogue but also enhances our countries’ presence and influence internationally.
From the perspective of the Taiwanese market, Asian literature often performs better in terms of sales than works from Europe or the United States, largely because of shared cultural contexts and relatable themes.
Please name any Korean writers, books and publishing companies that you are familiar with.
Park Sang Young’s “Love in the big city”which we was purchased from Changbi. His “Unknown artist’s tears and Zatong pasta” and “믿음에대하여” which are purchased from Munhakdongne. So I am familiar with those 2 publishers in Korea. We also purchased Cheong ye’s “Orange and bread knife” from East Asia. We are just started to introduced Korea literature novel to Taiwan readers, so we sure still a lot great publishers on the list.
Your reasons for applying to the Asian Publishers Week 2025.
I like to know more talented editors, writers and foreign rights managers, marketing directors, any others who always have Great passion for the publishing industry. It’s a great chance to let all the talented people to meet each other. It will be very interesting and sparks are expected to fly when bringing together important and senior people to interact with each other.
Your Company Profile Waves Press
Company Name: Waves Press
Company Address: Waves Press, WALKERS CULTURAL ENTERPRISE LTD. 3F.,NO.108-2, MING-QUAN RD.,XINDIAN DIST.,NEW TAIPEI CITY
Number of Employees:150
Specialty: Editing, Planning, Marketing
Book Republic Publishing Group was founded in Taiwan since 2002 . Engaged in trade publishing, the Group is devoted to the dissemination of knowledge based on a highly inclusive mindset. There are over 60 publishing brands operated under the banner of the Group, each with its unique business focus, brand culture and philosophy. In addition to large trade publishing firms such as ECUS Publishing House, Yeren Publishing House, Gūsa Publishing, Common Master Press, Rive Gauche Publishing House and Acropolis, these brand also include Walkers, as well as Little Bear Books, Pace Books and WordField Publishing Ltd., which are specialized in children’s and adolescent publications. Distinguished for the richness and forward-looking perspectives of its publications, Book Republic Publishing Group is a highly influential publisher in the Mandarin-book publishing industry.
Currently, the Group publishes more than 1,000 new book titles each year and plays a leading role in the Mandarin-book publishing industry. And still develop many new publishing firms such as Waves Press. Its publications encompass literature, fiction, non-fiction, music, culture, and self-growth. We have very talented Taiwanese writers want to introduce to the whole world, also like to translate and publish great books from the world to Taiwan readers. Waves Press introduced great master like Nobel prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, International Booker Prize winner David Diop, Jenny Erpenbeck to Taiwan readers. Waves Press is a very young and powerful new brand in Taiwan, so many still on the list to come!