Mind, Body + Spirit

Kirsty Manning

Writing, Author of The Midsummer Garden, Publsihed March 29, 2017, writers on writing, how to be an author, how to get a book published, how to write a novel, book reviews, latest book releases, best selling books, Australian Books, Best Books, Best fiction, Latest fiction, Australian Crime Writers, Crime writing, how to be a writer, how to get a book published, advice from publishing professionals, Australian books Australian fiction, Freelance writing, freelance travel writing, custom publishing, how to make money from writing, find a book editor, manuscript appraisal, manuscript assessment, book festivals, good books, kirsty mannin

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Instagram

I was very honoured, and humbled, to have these two gentlemen at the Melbourne launch for The Jade Lily last night. Both men spent so much time explaining Shanghai history and Jewish rituals to me. Sam Moshinsky (left) was a Russian refugee who grew up in the French Concession. Horst Eisfelder (right) was a German refugee who lived in the Shanghai ghetto.
Both were so generous, Taking time to read my manuscript and give feedback.
SYDNEY folks, there’s still time to join me at Prince Wine Store, Zetland on Thursday night. (Link in bio)
#thejadelily #booklaunch #booktour #author #bookstagram

This photo of three little girls laughing, was the starting point for my two central characters, Li and Romy, in The Jade Lily.
I decided my central characters would be best friends from two different countries.
I also thought it would be best to capture the fear and magic of Shanghai through a child's eyes - but my Romy is a little older at 13.
I wanted Romy, a Viennese refugee who'd endured so much, to form a fierce bond with her Chinese next door neighbour, Li and come to love Shanghai as her own.
I had no idea where this beautiful pair would take me, but The Jade Lily took me on quite the journey as these girls grew up and I began to learn a bit about the history of Shanghai during WW2.
Pic; Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum

#thejadelily #shanghaighetto #shanghaijewishrefugeesmuseum #shanghai #friendship #inspiration

A red door, down a narrow lane in Shanghai. Look closely and you’ll see a rusty Star of David. This prompted me to ask some questions about Hongkou (formerly Hongkew) when I was back at my hotel.
It was only then I heard for the very first time that I’d been walking through lanes that were part of a Jewish ghetto.
I immediately had to know: why was there a Jewish ghetto in Shanghai?
That search led me to the start of The Jade Lily.
#thejadelily #jewishghetto #Shanghai #shanghaighetto #historicalfiction #jewishtour

The only time I’ll hang out with Megs + Haz. 🤣
Thanks @dailytelegraph for this wonderful feature in the Saturday mag.
Sydney peeps, check out the free book launch event with plenty of bubbles 🥂@princewinestore Zetland this Thursday. Bookings via my website.
#booklaunch #thejadelily #booktour #party

Thanks to @catrionarowntree and @journeystocome for inviting me to share travel tips and recommended tours to Shanghai!
#shanghai #ilovetravel #thejadelily #authortour #traveltips #historicalfiction #foodstagrammer #chinabook #author #novel #bookish #bookstagram

Some of the history books, academic texts and memoirs I read when researching #TheJadeLily
#research #thejadelily #shanghai #shanghaighetto #shanghaijews #frenchconcession #chinesemedicine #historicalfiction #dimsum #dumplings #traditionalchinesemedicine

When your mum spies your book at Sydney airport ... 🤣🤪 ......
#number1fan #TheMidsummerGarden @sydneyairport

Plane trees towering over the chic streets of the former French Concession, Shanghai.
#formerfrenchconcessionshanghai #frenchconcession #shanghai #artdeco #thejadelily #shanghainovel #travel #writersofinstagram #historicalfiction #research #novel #china #shanghainovel

Pip and Artemisia hit Germany this week. 🥂Love the embossed herb detail in gold! 🙏 @droemerknaur ❤️ #dergartenderdüfte #TheMidsummerGarden #deautchland🇩🇪

Featured

Mar 22, 2018

'The Jade Lily' rights sold into North America, Germany, The Netherlands and Hebrew.

Mar 22, 2018

My favourite Chinese dish: Mapo Tofu

Recipes

Featured

Feb 1, 2017

Cooking in the Fire Pit with the Bosnian Sutch

Feb 1, 2017

We have a Bosnian Sutch that makes feeding a crowd super-easy. Throw in different cuts of meat, vegetables, tins of tomatoes, garlic, herbs from the garden and a few pinches of smoked paprika, cover with coals, and a few hours later we have a one-pot dinner.

Feb 1, 2017

Nov 23, 2016

Baked Lemon and Rosewater Cheesecake

Nov 23, 2016

No family celebration happens in our household without cheesecake (and Champagne!). It had to be baked, NY-style and quite often I make two. Here's the recipe from by book, We Love Food.

Nov 23, 2016