Coming soon!
Piñatas for the Year of the Dragon: Conversations with current and former expats in South Korea
My upcoming book “Piñatas for the Year of the Dragon: Conversations with current and former expats in South Korea” delves into the experiences of 13 non-Koreans who spent years or even decades in South Korea.
I talked to:
- two current expats
- six former expats
- three people who lived here at the time but have since left
- a nomadic Australian couple who never lived here, but who feel a special connection to South Korea as their first overseas travel destination and the birthplace of taekwondo
They include teachers, writers, artists, retirees and human rights activists. Some have raised human families here, and some have adopted furbabies. Each one offers a unique perspective.
My original plan was to release this book in the Year of the Dragon, but that year has come and gone, so I’m aiming to publish it midway through the Year of the Blue Snake — possibly the perfect time for a fresh start.
Check back soon for details. In the meantime, here’s a four-chapter sample that you can download or read online.
Here’s what it covers:
- “A Coming of Age,” about an American who launched a journalism career in South Korea but then felt frustrated with the limitations she faced.
- “Darkrooms and Waterways,” about a self-taught photographer who had a difficult start here but powered through and even got his work into art galleries.
- “A Mentor’s Legacy,” about a 2021 conversation I had with my wonderful business professor from Sejong University, who offered his perspective on supply chains and other issues as COVID-19 was changing the business world.
- “Piñatas for the Year of the Dragon,” about a long-term expat (an American with dual Austrian citizenship) who’s built a life here and is thankful for the good friends she’s made.
Cover design by Getcovers.
