"The Taiwan publishers move fast and pay quickly. They pay by credit card, certainly a change from dealing with the PRC and the complications of getting money out of the country."
She is also impressed that Taiwan publishers know what books they want.
In the PRC, says Lee, publishers still have more trouble working abroad. "Western publishers still are not clear about them, and often the language or cultural business practices prohibit successful deals. And then there is the negative politics in the news," Lee said.
Some people think China is a long way from being a major market for translated books, and some would disagree, but everyone concurs that China requires patience.
Joanne Wang, until recently international sales director for Watson-Guptill, managed to win 80 contracts for her company in China in one year. She recently decided to go on her own, focusing exclusively on the Chinese-language rights business and she spoke at this year's BEA on the subject.
Here is her advice: "First have faith in the Chinese language markets," she says, meaning the best is yet to come. "Second, be flexible.''
She finds that the books that are selling into China are practical books, how-to books, such as computer books, architecture, interior design and instructional books-as well as biographies of successful politicians and historical figures.
Not many publishers like giving reprint rights, but in China, with prices still so low and distribution still so difficult, that may be the only way.
Sally Taylor is a roving correspondent for Publishers Weekly, a New York trade magazine. Taylor's article was reprinted by special arrangement.
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