•Heavy promotion with Chinese Literature Today and to Chinese professors.

•Novel was left unfinished when Xiao passed away, so her longtime translator Howard Goldblatt completed it based on her notes and his understanding of her style.

•Galleys (and e-galleys) will be available six months ahead of publication.

•Books by women writers—especially from less-frequently translated languages—do well for Open Letter and attract more reviews.

•Will include blurbs from several key booksellers on the finished copy.

•Will have at least one event featuring both Ma Bole and The Golden Era, the biopic about Xiao's life by director Ann Hui.