In a life long ago, when print was still king, I was a magazine editor in China, from entertainment titles in Shanghai to Beijing's first design and architecture monthly
Terrific story and great writing Simon. Some may call it serendipity or being in the right place at the right time but I envy the mindset and courage you have to give something a go (called having a crack in Australian!) and take on new challenges and adventures throughout your time in China and Asia more generally. Love your work!
Marvellous story with a touch of nostalgia I believe. I do remember browsing through City Weekend and that’s Shanghai for food and leisure tips during my trips to China in the beginning of 2000s. ..
Thanks Igor - all the various English-language magazines really did serve up a wealth of city information, though I don't miss editing all those listings!
I just wanted to let you know that City Weekend Shanghai has a very fond place in my heart.
In 2014, about 6 months after I had self-published my novel Gangsters of Shanghai, my wife Googled the book title to see if there was anything happening that might be interesting.
To our great surprise and pleasure, we saw that City Weekend had given the book a fantastic review. The review was written by Peter Desmond and I still use his comment in my book blurb.
A few months later, City Weekend picked Gangsters of Shanghai as a 'Top 10 Book of The Year'. (Admittedly, there were probably only 10 books published about Shanghai at the time, but anyway, It was a thrill).
Hi Gerry - I'm sure the editors were glad to have your book to review! Sadly, I've been informed by a friend that there's only a couple of expat editors still involved in the Shanghai magazine scene now. A long way from when we used to be able to fill up a cocktail reception!
That's a very impressive and geographically diverse CV ! Fantastic that you could revisit and pay homage to the humble place where it all started - the wheel of life !
Well, that's actually just the China magazines - at some point I'll write about my experiences in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Phuket (wow, some stories to tell about the latter)!
I really enjoyed reading your story and I can't imagine the amount of fun you had then and am so happy for you for your successful family.
As I read the article am stuck about how my journey though different seems to be inline with yours. Both wanting to tell the story of a city. Being allowed to spotlight a city every week is an honor. And like you will do a great job. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Today am beginning week 2, focusing on Xiong'an having finished City one which was HEFEI.
Thanks Debbie - I think all of the city magazines really did open up doors for the foreigners living in China at the time. Plus it was an amazing privilege to actually work at them!
This was such a joy to read and brought me right back to my own expat years in China during the 2010s. that’s Shanghai was a regular part of my life then. It reminded me why so many of us stayed longer than planned. Shanghai was absurd, fast-moving, and so addictive. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Terrific story and great writing Simon. Some may call it serendipity or being in the right place at the right time but I envy the mindset and courage you have to give something a go (called having a crack in Australian!) and take on new challenges and adventures throughout your time in China and Asia more generally. Love your work!
Thank you GB! Yes it's true, sometimes you do have to put yourself in the right position, but then a fair share of luck helps as well.
Marvellous story with a touch of nostalgia I believe. I do remember browsing through City Weekend and that’s Shanghai for food and leisure tips during my trips to China in the beginning of 2000s. ..
Thanks Igor - all the various English-language magazines really did serve up a wealth of city information, though I don't miss editing all those listings!
Great article, Simon. Rally enjoyed it.
I just wanted to let you know that City Weekend Shanghai has a very fond place in my heart.
In 2014, about 6 months after I had self-published my novel Gangsters of Shanghai, my wife Googled the book title to see if there was anything happening that might be interesting.
To our great surprise and pleasure, we saw that City Weekend had given the book a fantastic review. The review was written by Peter Desmond and I still use his comment in my book blurb.
A few months later, City Weekend picked Gangsters of Shanghai as a 'Top 10 Book of The Year'. (Admittedly, there were probably only 10 books published about Shanghai at the time, but anyway, It was a thrill).
Hi Gerry - I'm sure the editors were glad to have your book to review! Sadly, I've been informed by a friend that there's only a couple of expat editors still involved in the Shanghai magazine scene now. A long way from when we used to be able to fill up a cocktail reception!
That's a very impressive and geographically diverse CV ! Fantastic that you could revisit and pay homage to the humble place where it all started - the wheel of life !
Well, that's actually just the China magazines - at some point I'll write about my experiences in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Phuket (wow, some stories to tell about the latter)!
I'll look forward to that !
I really enjoyed reading your story and I can't imagine the amount of fun you had then and am so happy for you for your successful family.
As I read the article am stuck about how my journey though different seems to be inline with yours. Both wanting to tell the story of a city. Being allowed to spotlight a city every week is an honor. And like you will do a great job. Thanks so much for the inspiration. Today am beginning week 2, focusing on Xiong'an having finished City one which was HEFEI.
aah.. the That's.. who could live without them, back in the day. Fascinating article of a fascinating time.
Thanks Debbie - I think all of the city magazines really did open up doors for the foreigners living in China at the time. Plus it was an amazing privilege to actually work at them!
This was such a joy to read and brought me right back to my own expat years in China during the 2010s. that’s Shanghai was a regular part of my life then. It reminded me why so many of us stayed longer than planned. Shanghai was absurd, fast-moving, and so addictive. Thanks so much for sharing this.
It's so true. As I mention in the second last paragraph, some foreigners never actually left...