Ann Liang is a New York Times and Indie bestselling YA author. Her novels include This Time It’s Real, If You Could See the Sun, and I Hope This Doesn't Find You. Her literary contributions have reached audiences in over twenty foreign territories.
Ann Liang was born in Beijing. Her childhood was split between China and Australia. Liang is a University of Melbourne alumna. Despite her global upbringing, she has an American accent.
This Time It’s Real (2023) marks her second young adult novel, featuring new student Eliza Lin and celebrity actor Caz Song in a high school setting. Following a controversial essay, they form a "mutually beneficial and romantically oriented alliance" to restore Eliza's reputation. This narrative explores themes of identity, friendship, and the complexities of young love within the private school milieu.
The novel incorporates classic romance tropes, drawing inspiration from Chinese dramas (C-dramas) and rom-coms, creating a modern school romance narrative filled with iconic moments and cultural references.
Liang attributes her inclination towards writing romance to her enjoyment of the genre as a reader, despite initially resisting the idea. The pandemic period, marked by uncertainty and bleakness, steered her towards writing something joyful, culminating in This Time It’s Real.
Throughout her writing process, Liang maintains a structured approach, starting with a premise and developing scenes that anchor the plot. Her other works often feature elite boarding school settings, reflecting her educational background and providing a rich backdrop for her stories.
Liang is working on another YA romance novel, I Am Not Jessica Chen, set for a 2024 release, promising a darker, academia-driven narrative exploring imposter syndrome, academic validation, and burnout.
Ann Liang now lives in Melbourne.
Photo credit: www.annliang.com
