Geling Yan is a renowned contemporary novelist and screenwriter who writes in both Chinese and English. Born in Shanghai, she began her career at a young age, serving with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as a dancer in an entertainment troupe at the age of 12 during the Cultural Revolution.
After over a decade of service, including tours in Tibet and as a war correspondent during the Sino-Vietnam border conflict, Geling Yan was discharged with a rank equivalent to Lieutenant Colonel. She went on to publish her first novel in 1985 and has since produced a prolific body of work, including novels, short stories, novellas, essays, and scripts.
Geling Yan's notable works in English include Little Aunt Crane, The Flowers of War, The Banquet Bug, and The Lost Daughter of Happiness, which have been translated into multiple languages and adapted into films and television shows. Her novella and short story collection, White Snake and Other Stories, has also been widely praised.
In addition to her literary accomplishments, Geling Yan has written numerous scripts for films and television shows, including Xiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl, Siao Yu, The Flowers of War, Coming Home, and Forever Enthralled. She has also collaborated with renowned directors such as Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, and Chen Kaige.
Geling Yan is affiliated with the Chinese Writers' Association of the People's Republic of China and the Writers' Guild of America, West. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature from Wuhan University and a Master's in Fine Arts in Fiction Writing from Columbia College, Chicago.
Throughout her career, Geling Yan has published over 20 books in various editions and has won over 30 literary and film awards. Her work has been translated into 16 languages, and she continues to write and produce new content, living in Berlin, Germany, and traveling frequently to China.
