As a mother of daughters, I spent years and years researching and trawling book shops and libraries for stories that will inspire my girls to dream big, know who they are, and to never let anyone stop them from doing what they love to do.

I bought the girls folktales of heroines and books filled with goddesses, read them stories of princesses who defied the rules of being a princess, and watched movies with them where female protagonists ruled the world.

Many of these books and movies were Eurocentric, even though they may focus on a diverse character like Mulan, Moana or Pocahontas. Where were the stories of Southeast Asian or other Asian sheroes and goddesses?

“Why not write these stories yourself?” a book angel said to me one day. And some time later, this mantra “Write the books you want to read” appeared on my feed. I say mantra because this has become my core story — I write lesser-told stories on the people and subject I want to read about. I write for my daughters; I write them for your daughters (and sons).

Over the years, I’ve worked hard to read up and do research on the women who’ve shaped Asia and whose stories are lesser told or not told at all. I put my research together and I proposed a 6 book series to World Scientific Asia to be co-authored with June Ho, my partner in crime, and illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta.

I’m pleased to announce that ‘Women Who Shaped Asia’ was acquired on proposal and the first book is launching in August 2020.