GENRE: **Diverse, Character Driven, Historical Fiction
WORDS: 400
Query:
Dear Judges, Agents, and Editors,
Thank you for participating in PB Party and for your interest in my manuscript, I SWIM FOR FREEDOM, a 400 words historical nonfiction picture book.
Set in the 1970’s during the Cultural Revolution in China, I SWIM FOR FREEDOM describes the journey of Mei Mei as she swims across the Pacific Ocean in order to escape the dire situation in her home and to reunite with her older sister, Jie Jie, who lives in Hong Kong. Will Mei Mei swim to freedom as she endures days in the mountains, hours at sea, and with only a buoy to keep her afloat?
Throughout my childhood, family members shared in hushed, somber voices about their harrowing escape to Hong Kong by swimming in the South China Sea. For a long time, I thought that their stories were unique. But as I conducted research for this story, I learned that half a million Chinese immigrants experienced similar voyages. Over time, these individuals became known as the “freedom swimmers.” Writing this story is both a love letter to my family for their incredible bravery. And an ode to the Chinese immigrant community for surviving this difficult time in history.
Combining the lyricism of Wishes by Muon Thi Van and Victo Ngai with the poignancy of Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin, I SWIM FOR FREEDOM explores themes of family, immigration, and resilience. As a first generation Asian American, I am deeply passionate about creating stories that empower young people to find strength and hope in their heritage.
This spring 2024, I received an honorable mention from PB Rising Stars for my STEAM picture book, LET’S RIDE THE SOUND WAVE COASTER. I’ve also written for the East Bay Express, an alternative weekly based in the Bay Area. Beyond writing, I work as an Elementary School Counselor, where I love to use picture books to teach young people about the importance of diversity and representation. In the past, I’ve also volunteered for Hyphen magazine, a publication focused on Asian American topics.
If you would like to see additional manuscripts, I’d be happy to share them. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Excerpt:
On a pitch-black night,
inside a mud brick house,
I gather my belongings.
A buoy made of rope and tape,
a pouch of toasted flour,
and a photo of my older sister, Jie Jie,
with her arms around me, her Mei Mei.
For seven days,
I trek past jagged mountains,
howling coyotes,
and sirens loud as thunder.
In search of the shimmering sea,
where I will swim for freedom.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
In the 1970’s, several family members swam across the South China Sea in their desire to flee China and build a new life in Hong Kong. In each of their attempts, they described treacherous conditions-days hiking in the mountains, freezing temperatures, the threat of being jailed if caught, and the constant fear of drowning. Through my research, I learned that their stories mirrored the experiences of half a million Chinese immigrants. I wanted to write this story as a way to honor my family’s resilience and to chronicle this important moment in history.
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