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China’s book market is the second largest in the world, with people reading around 6 billion books a year. But how easy is it for small publishers, bookstores, and writers to get a piece of this pie? And how are digital alternatives to physical books impacting writers and small businesses and writers?

Featuring
- Chen Qiufan (陈楸帆): Writer & Futurist
- Liu Jue: TWOC – Managing editor
- Li Suwan (李苏皖): Maziren Bookstore (码字人书店) - Owner

To go further
- Middle Earth episode #95 Chinese Web Novels: The Hidden Golden Goose?
- Middle Earth episode #91 How to Publish a Magazine for 100 Issues
- Middle Earth episode #25 How to publish a book in China
- "The Dark Room Problem" short story written by Chen Qiufan (陈楸帆) and published by The World of Chinese Magazine
- How China’s Small-Town Bookstores Innovate to Survive, article by by The World of Chinese Magazine
- Bookish Dreams: The fantasy of owning an independent bookstore lingers for China’s idealists, article by by The World of Chinese Magazine

Middle Earth is made by China Compass Productions and hosted by Aladin Farré. If you have a China-themed cultural project like shooting your next documentary or look for a specific talent, please get in touch!

Chinese speaker? Follow our Bilibili account 阿拉丁_说电影

With thanks to Sean Calvo for music support.

The World of Chinese Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, arts, language, and more.

The World of Chinese Magazine
A magazine about Chinese society, culture, history, and more. Support the pod by buying a copy ;)

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#92 How writers, bookstore owners, and printers survive in China’s publishing industry (Publishing industry - part 1) 44:50 Share

Middle Earth - China’s cultural industry podcast

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#92 How writers, bookstore owners, and printers survive in China’s publishing industry (Publishing industry - part 1)