Shaanxi shows the write stuff at 29th National Book Expo

"I first thought the dialect might be the problem, then it turned out to be the quoted opera passages," King says.

Jia says he's often taken translators to experience Shaanxi culture, as a way of helping them. Now, he has numerous titles translated into several different languages.

"Shaanxi is where my roots lay. I remember at the beginning of my writing career, I wrote everything I observed. I was at a loss then. By returning to my old home, I began to find my own way of writing."

The late authors, Chen Zhongshi, known for White Deer Plain, and Lu Yao, known for Life, also hailed from Shaanxi-further evidence of the province's strong tradition of raising and nurturing writers and artists. Their books were also highlighted at the expo.

Wu Mengchuan launched the fourth novel of her "flower" series, Wei Zi's Spring, about violence against teenagers. Centering on three young people with troubled backgrounds, the novel tells the story of their experiences of growing up.

"Her language is beautiful, and she can really think and write from a young person's perspective," Jia said at the release, showing support for his fellow Shaanxi writer.