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Artwork for BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press

BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press

John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith
Koxinga
Taiwan
Dutch East India Company
China
Zheng Maritime Empire
A Tale Of Three Tribes In Formosa
Fort Zeelandia
Formosa
Japan
Maritime Trade
Dutch VOC
Zheng Chenggong
Taiwanese Labor and Immigration
The Crushed Can
Yamaguchi
Delft, Netherlands
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Anping, Taiwan
VOC
Chen Ze

A fun look at fiction and non-fiction on East Asia and further afield. Hosts John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith (co-founders of Plum Rain Press and the Formosa Files Taiwan history podcast) share their love of this fascinating region by exploring the best books on Asia’s culture and history.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes31Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MZGenre.Podcasts.BooksArtsBooks

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Artwork for BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press

Latest Episodes

With Episode 10 we’ve reached the end of our journey through Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s Three Tribes. Rather than give too much away about the novel’s final chapters here, we simply want to say thank you to everyone who has followed along with us. And spec... more

Things move quickly as various threads come together in this gripping episode. The Dutch colony is nearing its end. Maria Hambroeck learns the fate of her family.

If you’ve come this far in our trial ten-part series, we’re very grateful. Thanks. An... more

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. This section of the novel, called “The Siege,” takes us deeper into 1661. Governor Frederick Coyett and the remaining VOC... more

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. Part Six of the novel, “At War,” brings us to 1661 and the invasion of Dutch Formosa. Koxinga’s fleet appears out of the ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Similar Podcasts

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The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
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Recent Guests

Scott Crawford
Novelist and historian, fellow writer featured in the episode
Independent/Plum Rain Press connection implied in discussion
Episode: SPECIAL SERIES: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – Ep 1
Lee Moore
Author of China's Backstory, The History Beijing Doesn't Want You to Read
Unsung Voices Books
Episode: E-20 - CHINA’S BACKSTORY: THE HISTORY BEIJING DOESN'T WANT YOU TO READ, by Lee Moore (Unsung Voices Books, 2025)
Sarah Coomber
Author of The Same Moon
Camper Press (re-release) and Nova Book Design (book design)
Episode: E-19 - THE SAME MOON: A YOUNG WOMAN’S SEASON OF ENTANGLEMENTS IN RURAL JAPAN - By Sarah Coomber (2026, Wild Geranium Press)
FE. Beyer
Author of The Crushed Can
Self-published author under FE. Beyer
Episode: E-18 - THE CRUSHED CAN by F.E. Beyer (2025, Sandfly Press)
Jenna Cody
Blogger and reviewer, runs Lao Ren Cha
Lao Ren Cha / Substack
Episode: E-17 - JENNA CODY’S FAVORITE TAIWAN FICTION
Tim McGirk
Author of The Wondrous Elixir Of The Two Chinese Lovers
Plum Rain Press
Episode: E-16 - THE WONDROUS ELIXIR OF THE TWO CHINESE LOVERS by Tim McGirk (Plum Rain Press, 2025)

Hosts

John Ross
Host of the show, guiding conversations and introducing topics; co-founder of Plum Rain Press. Frequently discusses historical fiction set in East Asia and related publishing context.
Scott Crawford
Co-host with a focus on guiding discussion and providing cross-episode continuity; often discusses historical contexts and book club-style analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#243
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#168
Hong Kong/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E-17 - JENNA CODY’S FAVORITE TAIWAN FICTION
Q: Has Shawna Yang Ryan published anything since Green Island?
No, Green Island appears to be her latest novel to date, and the hosts express hope she is working on new material.
E-17 - JENNA CODY’S FAVORITE TAIWAN FICTION
Q: Why is Green Island a good introduction to Taiwan for readers curious about its history?
Because it provides an accessible overview of 20th-century Taiwan history through a intimate, character-driven narrative, bridging personal trauma with large-scale political changes, and it invites readers to understand the complexities of identity, state power, and diaspora without losing emotional resonance.
E-19 - THE SAME MOON: A YOUNG WOMAN’S SEASON OF ENTANGLEMENTS IN RURAL JAPAN - By Sarah Coomber (2026, Wild Geranium Press)
Q: How did the pre-digital environment affect your experience and the memoir's storytelling?
Without maps, apps, or instant online help, everyday tasks like navigation and learning garbage disposal practices forced deeper engagement with local life, making the experience and the story feel more authentic and immersive.
E-19 - THE SAME MOON: A YOUNG WOMAN’S SEASON OF ENTANGLEMENTS IN RURAL JAPAN - By Sarah Coomber (2026, Wild Geranium Press)
Q: What were the publishing challenges that almost ended the book, and how did Camper Press come into the picture?
The initial publisher failed to deliver books and communicate effectively, leading to a contract termination; Camper Press invited her to contribute to an anthology and later picked up the memoir, helping it find a renewed life.
E-19 - THE SAME MOON: A YOUNG WOMAN’S SEASON OF ENTANGLEMENTS IN RURAL JAPAN - By Sarah Coomber (2026, Wild Geranium Press)
Q: What was the age and personal context you were in when you first arrived in Japan?
She was about 25, recently divorced, and using the experience to regroup and explore rather than pursue quick romance; the timing made the immersion more intense and meaningful.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press

What is BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A literary-leaning show that explores fiction and non-fiction about East Asia and beyond through author interviews, book discussions, and historical context. Across episodes, hosts blend deep dives into narrative craft, regional history, and cultural nuances with behind-the-scenes publisher insights, often tying conversations to specific books, authors, and eras. Notable for pairing historical or regional themes with accessible storytelling, the show frequently features guests who are authors, editors, or critics, and frames conversations around how books shape understanding of Asia's cultures, politics, and literary landscapes. The format tends to be conversational, book-club style, with occasional travel or publishing industry anecdotes t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press?

These podcasts share a similar audience with BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press:

1. The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
2. Taiwan This Week
3. Taiwanology
4. Pekingology
5. 99% Invisible

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BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press launched 2 years ago and published 31 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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Recent guests on BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press include:

1. Scott Crawford
2. Lee Moore
3. Sarah Coomber
4. FE. Beyer
5. Jenna Cody
6. Tim McGirk

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