Picture an American-born storyteller with Chinese-Indonesian roots weaving tales that bridge cultures and genres—meet Tiffany Tsao! Now based in Sydney, Australia, Tsao is a literary chameleon, crafting fantasy novels and translating Indonesian literature with a flair that’s earned her global acclaim. Her multicultural journey and sharp storytelling make her a standout voice in contemporary fiction.
The Making of Tiffany Tsao
Born in San Diego, California, in 1983, Tiffany Tsao grew up immersed in diverse worlds, spending her childhood in Singapore and Jakarta due to her Chinese-Indonesian heritage. This vibrant backdrop shaped her storytelling, blending Eastern and Western perspectives. She earned a BA in English from Wellesley College in 2004, where she began her fantasy novel The Oddfits, and later a PhD from UC Berkeley in 2009. After teaching literature at universities like Georgia Tech and the University of Sydney, Tsao traded academia for full-time writing and translation in 2015, chasing stories that spark connection.
Tiffany Tsao’s Unforgettable Stories
Tsao’s novels are a delightful mix of fantasy, thriller, and cultural depth. Her Oddfits series, starting with The Oddfits (2016) and followed by The More Known World (2017), follows a quirky young hero navigating a magical, misfit-filled world, infused with humor and heart. Her standalone novel The Majesties (2018, originally Under Your Wings) is a gripping thriller about family secrets and betrayal among Chinese-Indonesian elites, longlisted for the 2019 Ned Kelly Award. Tsao’s translation work shines just as brightly, bringing Indonesian voices to English readers. Her translation of Norman Erikson Pasaribu’s Happy Stories, Mostly (2021) won the 2022 Republic of Consciousness Prize and was longlisted for the International Booker Prize, while Budi Darma’s People from Bloomington (2022) earned the 2023 PEN Translation Prize.
Her writing style is vivid and immersive, weaving cultural nuances with universal themes like identity and belonging. Whether crafting fantastical worlds or translating poignant Indonesian tales, Tsao’s work invites readers to see the world through a multicultural lens, making the unfamiliar feel intimate.
Why Tiffany Tsao Matters
Tsao’s impact lies in her ability to bridge cultures through literature. Her translations amplify underrepresented Indonesian voices, fostering cross-cultural understanding in a globalized world. Her novels, rich with Chinese-Indonesian perspectives, challenge stereotypes and enrich the literary landscape. By championing diverse narratives, Tsao inspires readers and writers to embrace stories from the margins, cementing her as a vital force in science fiction, young adult fiction, and literary translation.
- Born: 1983, San Diego, California
- Key Works: The Oddfits, The Majesties, Happy Stories, Mostly (translation)
- Awards: 2023 PEN Translation Prize, 2022 Republic of Consciousness Prize
Ready to dive into a world of fantasy and cultural richness? Snag The Oddfits or The Majesties and let Tiffany Tsao’s stories whisk you away!