I was recently elected (yes, I won an election in China and not many people can say that!) as the Honorary Research and Publications Director of the Royal Asiatic Society in Shanghai. My remit is to get a series of books underway for the RAS, hopefully starting next year. Here’s the note that went out to RAS members in China but if anyone reading this any interesting ideas I’d love to hear them.
Royal Asiatic Society China in Shanghai and Hong Kong University Press ‘China Monographs’ Series
Starting in 2011 the RAS China in Shanghai in association with Hong Kong University Press will be launching a series of books on various subjects within the Society’s range of interests. As you know, various RAS branches around the world also have publishing programmes, usually in conjunction with universities or academic presses, and we will too.
However, we’re hoping to be slightly different and involve many more members and friends in writing books for the series. Therefore the aim is to produce several books a year in a smaller format – 25-30,000 words with images – to allow for members to express their niche interests without feeling the need to produce a vast tome. We hope these books will be readable, interesting and build up to form an attractive, reasonably priced series covering subject areas of interest to members and the wider public. A major aim is to unlock all that knowledge we know is out there amongst the membership, develop it and take it to a wider audience. With Hong Kong University Press, we have a partner that is also very interested in bringing new subject areas and topics to the book shelves in an attractive form. We also hope to involve a Chinese partner so as to ensure that the series becomes available in the Chinese language as well as English.
So – the system exists! What is required now is ideas…from you. We already have several fascinating ideas suggested but need more. The remit of the RAS is fairly broad as you know and historical, cultural and contemporary subjects all fall within it. Most important is a passion for the subject and a desire to write about it. Any idea considered. To give a few ideas of what is potentially in the mix at the moment to hopefully spur some more ideas and wet an appetite or two:
- The Influence of Western Music in China from the Ming to the Qing
- The reinvention of Shanghai’s art-deco heritage
- Treaty Port Justice – a study of one infamous murder trial in Kiukiang
- A biography of one remarkable female Sinologist
- A study of Yangpu district
- Shanghai’s influence on the writing of JG Ballard
- Lao She’s London Experience
- The Free French in Shanghai
- An in-depth exploration of Kashgar
The process is a relatively simple one. Just let me know a rough outline and we can work up a proposal. We’ve called the series ‘China Monographs’ in the hope of attracting engaged and committed writing from people who love their subject and have knowledge and ideas that really needs to be brought to a wider audience and ultimately increase everyone’s awareness and knowledge. We are able to offer help in developing the idea and Hong Kong University Press’s team of professional editors too.
The holidays are upon us…the new year approaching…a time for reflection and considering new projects. Hence this email. Do please have a sift through your brain over the break and do let me know if you think you have some knowledge that should be shared. Just email me any ideas on ：
Paul French, Honorary Research and Publications Director
