Writing

Why I write

I love to write. To tell a story. To draw on my life experience and find the universal truth that resonates with a responsive audience.

Being a best selling author is, of course, wonderful. But the true joy comes with knowing that what I have to say is connecting with people, challenging and communicating.

That’s why I write books, blog on a variety of subjects, give talks and, any chance I get, put fingers to keyboard.

I want to bring understanding and joy to as many people as possible and, yes, inspire them to embark on their own creative adventure.

So, take a look around this website, check out My World or get in touch with me – and I hope you will be inspired to say ‘hello’ to your creativity again and release your Actionista.

Yang-May Ooi
Writer, Speaker and Creative Actionista

My books

A moving, ground-breaking autobiographical story using the metaphor of shoes and bound feet as a way to explore female desirability and empowerment.

What the public said:

A fascinating memoir… compelling” – 5 star Amazon review

“For anyone who loves reading about Asian history, the accounts of Yang May’s family, right from when her ancestors left China for Malaya, all passed down the generations through the tradition of story-telling, is wonderful and real.” – another 5 star Amazon review

“Inspiring, brave, enthralling” – and another 5 star Amazon review

Read more at www.boundfeetblues.co.uk

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Jasmine Lian is a brilliant young partner in a law firm. Then one of her clients bids for the most visionary construction project in Asia – Titiwangsa University, a town and campus in the rainforests of Malaysia. Jasmine is forced to choose between old life and new, East and West, right and wrong.

The Flame Tree was first published by UK Publisher Hodder & Stoughton and became a bestseller in Malaysia, outranking Ken Follett. The novel is now published in its third edition by Monsoon Books as a paperback and as an ebook.

Reviews:

“Yang-May Ooi has has a rare descriptive talent that brings the surroundings of her story… to vivid life” – New Straits Times, Malaysia.

“An accomplished first novel by Yang-May Ooi brings idealism and passion to bear in the heat of the Malaysian rainforest” – Jessica de Rothschild, Tatler Magazine, London.

“Ooi Yang-May took a risk when she gave up a secure law career to become a full-time novelist. But it was a good decision, for her very first book is a brilliant read” – Lynette Ng, Sun Magazine, Malaysia

Buy the paperback

Buy the ebook

Ambitious young lawyer Fei-Li Qwong has steered her major clients to the successful launch of their visionary sanitorium just outside Kuala Lumpur. Piers and Ginny Wyndham claim their Centre for Mental Health and Excellent will revolutionise Asia’s health care practices. Fei is proud to be part of the team. But as Fei begins to uncover the dark reality behind the Wyndhams’ public front, she finds herself drawn deep into a pall of intrigue and murder to a secret experiment that could enslave Asia under a terrifying new tyranny.

The novel was published as part of a two-book deal with UK publisher, Hodder & Stoughton. It is now re-issued by Monsoon Books as an ebook.

Reviews:

“A slow-burn thriller with a satisfyingly ambitious scope which climaxes with horrifying revelations” – Anna Sayburn, Bloomsbury Bluestocking

“Once you start reading the first lines of this novel, you just can’t put it down until you’ve finished it.” – Amazon reader

Buy the ebook

Blogging

Blogging is exciting. It’s a wonderfully immediate way to circulate ideas and share thoughts.

Occasionally I see things that give me that ‘Wow!’ moment and I think ‘people will love this’. So in the blog it goes.

Writer and creative actionista Yang-May Ooi signing her memoir Bound Feet Blues