The Evolution of a Master Storyteller from China: In Conversation with Mai Jia
Join Mai Jia, one of China’s most celebrated authors renowned for the spy novel, as he talks about leaving behind the world of espionage fiction for a deeply personal storytelling approach!
About The Evolution of a Master Storyteller from China: In Conversation with Mai Jia
Born in 1964 in Zhejiang province, Mai Jia is one of China’s most celebrated authors, renowned for his mastery of the spy novel. A best-selling writer and recipient of China’s highest literary honour, the Mao Dun Literature Prize, his works have captivated millions.
His international breakthrough Decoded was published by in the UK by Penguin Modern Classics in 2014. The novel earned global acclaim, with the Economist hailing it as “a great Chinese novel” and the Wall Street Journal praising it as “a novel that challenges the reader’s mind while achieving literary stature.”
However, in 2019 the author took an unexpected turn—leaving behind the world of espionage fiction to embrace a deeply personal storytelling approach. His novel The Colonel and the Eunuch is a poignant coming-of-age story, a multi-generational family saga and a profound exploration of heroism. This bold departure from his signature style resonated powerfully with readers, selling over 4 million copies.
Hosted by the Confucius Institute for Scotland at the University of Edinburgh, Mai Jia shares the story behind his creative transformation—why he stepped beyond the realm of thrillers, what inspired him to craft this deeply human narrative, and how his new novel became an extraordinary success.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Scottish Storytelling Centre
Moonspinners
Join us for a new quarterly series of full-moon celebrations, with live storytelling, music and a rotating programme of incredible performers.
READ MORE
Guid Crack: Wicked Ways Into Fame and Fortune
Join guest storyteller Riikka Palonen for another session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar on Friday 25th April!
READ MORE
Starting with Stories: Workshop with Ruth Kirkpatrick
Storyteller Ruth Kirkpatrick leads this participatory session for anyone curious about discovering and developing their own storytelling talent at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 26th April.
READ MORE
Loud Poets Showcase
Don’t miss the next fantastic show from Scotland’s best spoken word night 'Loud Poets' on Thursday 1st May with Inga Dale, Sarah Grant, Bradley Taylor & Stephen Watt!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: MAIK
Jamie Cook and Kirsty Law have joined forces to bring some of their most beloved songs together as brand new folk duo MAIK. Catch them at the Scottish Storytelling Centre as part of Tradfest!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: A Necklace of Stories from the Highlands & Islands
With story, music and imagery, storytellers Bea Ferguson and Heather Yule explore the captivating tales of these lands, and the people and strange creatures who dwelt there.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Mini Mummers Parade Prep
Join the Family Beltane crew for a morning of mask decoration, crafting and face painting ahead of the May Day Parade.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: An Introduction to Gaelic Storytelling
Join Gaelic storyteller Martin MacIntyre for an introductory session exploring the history, importance and joy in Gaelic storytelling culture in Scotland.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Family Beltane
This delightful Beltane Fire Society tradition allows parents to share in the magic of the Beltane story with their little ones through storytelling, face painting and arts & crafts.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Easy Sundays: Family Ceilidh
Come with family and friends to dance Scottish dances and sing well-known songs with the Minnow Ceilidh Band at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on 4th May!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Dowally + Philippe Boudot: Ici et Là-Bas
Don't miss cinematic-folk duo Dowally and innovative French drummer Philippe Boudot as they celebrate the release of their album Ici et Là-Bas, recorded last year in Edinburgh!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Hip Hop Story Stop! Old Edinburgh Street Games & Stories
Join Claire McNicol and Fergus McNicol for a lively, family-friendly session of traditional street games, playful rhymes, toe-tapping songs, and captivating tales from Old Edinburgh!
READ MOREEdinburgh Tradfest: Scotland’s Ancient Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight
In his new book Scotland’s Sacred Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight, Stuart McHardy explores the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scottish people.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Cafe Ceilidh
Celebrate Edinburgh's Tradfest with a free afternoon session of traditional songs, music, poems and stories with friends from the Scots Music Group in the Scottish Storytelling Centre!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Stories and Songs in the North-East Bothy Tradition
Join ballad singer Allan Taylor, fiddler Karin Paterson and storytellers Phyll McBain and Jackie Ross for a ceilidh of land, laughter and a hearty dollop of Doric!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Let Them Be Heard: Sangstream Scots Folk Choir
Sangstream, the a cappella Scots folk choir now in its 28th year, led by the renowned Corrina Hewat, is excited to perform their rich choice of songs as part of Tradfest.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Hearth Fire Sessions
Welcome to an eclectic night of ancient myth, contemporary storytelling, post-folk music, and physical artistry!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Bog Standard
Bog Standard is the gripping true story of a tip off which led a rookie journalist to one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: The Legend of the Anonymous Poet (Or a 20th Century Barbarian Account)
This special live performance from filmmaker/storytellers Nadir Bouhmouch and Soumeya Ait Ahmed combines film, lecture and storytelling!
READ MORE
The Poet and the Moon: Lorca’s Flamenco Soul
TuFlamenco presents a tribute to Federico García Lorca, Spain’s most iconic poet, through Flamenco’s rhythm, dance, and poetry at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on Saturday 10th May.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Storytelling for Musicians
Join musician and storyteller David Francis and learn how to improve your patter and song introductions with some basic rules of storytelling on this workshop as part of Tradfest!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Transforming Auld Reekie - Walking Tour
Meeting at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, enjoy a walking tour around the sights and sounds of Edinburgh’s Old Town with artist/curator Claudia Zeiske on 10th May as part of Edinburgh Tradfest!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Sunshine Stories: Sensory Stories and Play
Join storyteller Ailie Finlay from My Kind of Book on a fun-packed, sensory adventure for May time as we head off through the green grass and squelchy bogs of Scotland!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Remembering Douglas
Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for a celebration of independent film in Scotland through the lens of celebrated filmmaker Douglas Eadie!
READ MORE
Tales of the City: Part of Edinburgh 900
Join Penpal Productions at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for this series of short pieces exploring what the city means to these diverse voices.
READ MORE
Bothan Dhùn Èideann
Join us at the Scottish Storytelling Centre for our May Bothan, a monthly session of Gaelic culture and community in Edinburgh!
READ MORE
The Port Road Railway: A Talk by Alan McLellan
Join Alan McLellan to walk the old Port Road railway line from Dumfries to Stranraer, with vintage film clips and photos illustrating his journey into the past at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
READ MOREGuid Crack: Tales of Wonder, Mystery and Imagination
Join guest storyteller Kate Walker for another session of Edinburgh’s monthly storytelling club held upstairs in the Waverley Bar on Friday 30th May!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Palace Page Turners
Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
READ MORE
An Evening with Catriona Silvey and Sam Canning
Join Catriona Silvey and Sam Canning on Thursday 24th April at Waterstones Edinburgh West End, as they chat to Katalina Watt about their new novels!
READ MORE
An Evening with Chris Whitaker
Waterstones Edinburgh West End is delighted to welcome bestselling crime author, Chris Whitaker on Wednesday 30th April as we celebrate the paperback publication of 'All the Colours of the Dark'.
READ MORE
Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books
Delve into the Museum of Childhood’s book collection and explore the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Tradfest: Scotland’s Ancient Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight
In his new book Scotland’s Sacred Goddess: Hidden in Plain Sight, Stuart McHardy explores the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scottish people.
READ MORE
Meet John Connolly
Join bestselling crime author, John Connolly on 16th May, where he will be signing copies of the highly anticipated, twenty-second installment in his Charlie Parker series, The Children of Eve!
READ MORE
Benji Waterhouse: You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here - Book Tour 2025
NHS psychiatrist, award-winning comedian, and Sunday Times best-selling author Benji Waterhouse — is going on his first book tour and brings it to the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 17th May!
READ MORE
An Evening with Kate Foster
Waterstones Edinburgh West End is thrilled to welcome bestselling author Kate Foster on 28th May, to celebrate the publication of her masterfully gripping new novel, The Mourning Necklace!
READ MORE
Pride & Prejudice - Queer Book Fair at The Georgian House
Join us at The Georgian House this Pride Month as we celebrate the opening of Below Stairs Books, our new secondhand bookshop, with a special Queer Book Fair on Friday 6th June!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links