Interview With Author Wei Qin
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the Head of Global Insights at an Ingredient Manufacturer. I am a Gen X Chinese who immigrated to the US in 2001 for her PhD on consumer perceptions towards new food technologies at Pennsylvania State University. I spent over 25 years as a consumer researcher guiding product innovations and technology development in leading consumer packaged goods companies and flavor and fragrance manufacturers.
This is my first book, but I have eleven peer-reviewed social science journal papers.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is titled “Gen X Asian Americans: From Learning to Thriving”. Gen X (1964-80) is a cohort that has received little public attention and business interest, even though it is not as small of a group as many think. There are 66 million Gen Xers in the US, compared to 72 million Millennials and 70 million Baby Boomers. As a consumer researcher, I studied Baby Boomers in graduate school, then worked for various companies to understand behaviors of Millennials and later Gen Z. In my early 40s, it became clear to me that our generation has never been the center of attention, and probably never will be. I felt it was my duty to use my professional experience to document this cohort. This book is just the start of the Gen X series. I hope to expand my research to other Gen Xers in the US and other parts of the world.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the morning when my mind is clear.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a lot of social science books. My book cover is inspired by the cover of my favorite books: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
What are you working on now?
I am working on my golf skills. I did not play as often this year and lost my consistency.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am learning. Currently, I have a Google Site. I am considering book promotion sites and Amazon advertisement. Additionally, I would like to reach out Asian Study programs. My book offers a new immigrant’s perspective about Asian Americans, which is quite different from “classic” Asian American literature.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Spending a few hours per week is a good strategy for someone like me who has a full-time job. When I completed the book, I still adopted a peer-reviewed strategy. I invited people with different backgrounds to review my book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Transitioning from academic writing to crafting a book for a broader audience was both challenging and liberating. Instead of anchoring every insight in data and exhaustive detail, I had to focus on narrative flow—shaping a storyline that felt engaging, relatable, and emotionally resonant. My editor was a great help in guiding me through the process.
What are you reading now?
I am reading “The Innovators” by Walter Isaacson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to translate this book to other languages before starting my next book project. The next project will focus on Gen X Americans.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
This is a tough question. I rarely go back reading a book twice… I have always been curious about the difference between traditional medicine and western medicine. I would bring the Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon and the Hippocratic Corpus.
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