Press release

HarperCollins is thrilled to have acquired writer, actor, and director Simu Liu’s memoir, currently slated for publication in 2021. It was recently announced that Liu has been cast in the title role of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, set for release February 2021. Liu can currently be seen on the award-winning CBC comedy series Kim’s Convenience.

Liu’s memoir will recount his complicated childhood, including the weight of immigrant family expectations, his determination to follow his dream, and his gratitude for his parents’ sacrifices, love, and life lessons. Simu commented, “When Jackie Kaiser from WCA approached me almost two years ago to write my first proposal, I was taken aback; I never thought that I would be writing a memoir this young. After thinking about it, I realized that the story I had to share went beyond my own life—rather, it extended decades back to the lives of my parents as they grew up in China and then ultimately made the decision to immigrate to Canada. Their hard work and sacrifice gave me a great life and allowed me to pursue my own dreams. I’m so excited to share my family’s story with the world, including all of the bumps and bruises we experienced along the way.”

Liu has made many award-winning short films and has appeared on numerous television shows, such as Fresh Off the Boat, The Expanse, Orphan Black, Bad Blood, and more. His first major role came in the OMNI TV family drama Blood and Water, for which he was a writer on season two. He also had a recurring role on NBC’s Taken, based on the Liam Neeson films.

In 2017, Liu and his Kim’s Convenience castmates won the ACTRA Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance and were subsequently nominated for the same award in 2018 and 2019. Kim’s Convenience won Best Comedy Series at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards. Liu was also nominated for a Canadian Screen Award and an ACTRA Award in 2017 for his work on Blood and Water.

Iris Tupholme, Senior Vice President and Executive Publisher of HarperCollinsCanada, said, “Kim’s Convenience has long been a favourite. It is impossible not to cheer on Simu Liu’s character as he navigates complicated relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. When we heard that Simu loves to write, it seemed natural to encourage him to tell his story, in his own words. That he has now been signed by Marvel for a ground-breaking role is further proof of his remarkable range of talents, his determination, and his versatility. We are so proud to be publishing Simu’s first book—with, we hope, many more to come.”

Liu is represented by Westwood Creative Artists, Authentic Talent and Literary Management, and Noble Caplan Abrams. The book deal was brokered by Jackie Kaiser, President and COO of Westwood Creative Artists.

Known worldwide for the quality of its list, HarperCollinsCanada is the proud home of many bestselling authors, including Esi Edugyan, Heather O’Neill, Lawrence Hill, Kamal Al-Solaylee, Mark Sakamoto, Ayelet Tsabari, Emily St. John Mandel, Tracey Lindberg, Tara Westover, Hilary Mantel, Rachel Cusk, Anthony Horowitz, Uzma Jalaluddin, Kim Fu, Carrianne Leung, Ellen Keith, Jael Richardson, Emma Donoghue, Helen Humphreys, and Thomas King, among many more found at harpercollins.ca.

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