Five minutes with Emma Pei Yin, Bookstore Manager at The Book Cow
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If you’ve ever been to The Book Cow in Kingston, you’ve probably met Emma Pei Yin, their amazing Bookstore Manager who works incredibly hard at curating a diverse range of books for locals to devour.
But did you know that she’s been shortlisted for the 2023 Penguin Random House Australia Young Bookseller of the Year Award?
The nomination recognises her career achievements, innovation, and outstanding performance in The Book Cow (as well as in the local community) and to help her celebrate, we caught up with Emma to chat about all things books, what it’s like to work as a bookseller, and her plans for the future.
Where did your love of books come from and what inspired you to pursue a career as a bookseller?
My love affair with books started way back in my childhood. Whenever I’d spend my summers with my grandparents in London, I’d get a front-row seat to my grandpa’s calligraphy practice. Picture this: him, with his elegant strokes, writing on those fancy rice paper scrolls with satin covers. I didn’t have a clue what he was scribbling, but I knew it was something important. That’s when my fascination with the written word kicked in.
The funny thing is, I wasn’t really into reading books back then. It was more about admiring the books my grandpa created. Becoming a bookseller wasn’t exactly my dream job, but now that I am one, it all makes perfect sense. It’s like the universe aligned me with the world of books, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
How did it feel when you heard you have been shortlisted for the Penguin Random House Young Bookseller of 2023 Awards?
When I stumbled upon the email, I felt incredibly fortunate. I experienced a profound appreciation for my role as a bookseller. The customers at my workplace consistently express their gratitude for me and my colleague’s assistance, and I am privileged to work alongside exceptional women. Therefore, learning that many of them had nominated me for the award was a tremendous honour. It is truly awe-inspiring to witness the remarkable achievements women can accomplish when they come together. To my delight, when I shared the news on Instagram, numerous people enthusiastically reshared it. It served as the perfect finishing touch, amplifying the already fantastic experience.
What do you love about being a bookseller and what do you wish people knew about your job?
Being a bookseller is no easy feat. Booksellers are faced with the constant challenge of expanding their knowledge on new releases, staying up-to-date with the latest book news, remaining aware of the political climate, and engaging in discussions with a diverse range of customers. One of the aspects I truly adore about my job is the opportunity to converse with people about books and form connections with authors.
Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of establishing some wonderful relationships. However, there is one slight downside to the job, and that is when (some) people assume that booksellers get to read all day. Unfortunately, it’s a somewhat melancholic reality that booksellers don’t actually have the luxury of reading all day.
Tell me about Canberra’s bookish community—what do we like to read?
The residents of Canberra are a dynamic and diverse community, displaying a rich variety of reading interests. Among the popular genres in this region are Australian literature, crime, and mystery, as well as fantasy and memoirs. These genres tend to be the top best-selling categories at my workplace.
Book clubs and reading groups are quite prevalent, serving as wonderful platforms for readers to engage in discussions and explore new literary works. Currently, I am organising two new book clubs that are set to commence in July this year. One will cater to younger readers aged eight and above, while the other will specifically focus on LGBTQIA+ stories, providing them with a dedicated space to share and discover books. Overall, Canberrans are what makes indie bookstores like the one I work at thrive. So, continue to support local if you can!
I understand that you’ve also written a YA novel that was shortlisted for the Allen & Unwin + Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme in 2022—what’s next on the cards for you?
That’s right! My young adult novel, Chasing Echoes in the Rain, has recently been selected as a finalist for the Allen & Unwin + Voices from the Intersection Mentorship Programme, as well as The Manuscript Prize for Black Spring Press in the U.K. It has received a great deal of admiration and interest, and I’m currently in discussions with agencies in the U.S. and U.K. regarding its publication. Simultaneously, I have embarked on a new project—a historical fiction novel set in Hong Kong during World War II. Additionally, I have completed several picture book manuscripts, which are currently under review by an agency.
Finally, what’s on your TBR?
I’ll list three, otherwise, this will turn into an essay—“Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See, “8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster” by Mirinae Lee, and “People Who Talk To Stuffed Animals Are Nice” by Ao Omae.
