Helen Liu (刘怀宇) is an award-winning author who blends intellect, imagination, and heart to craft narratives that resonate long after the last page. With a BA in British and American Literature from Peking University and Master’s degrees in Linguistics and Computer Science from UCLA, she brings a fresh, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary perspective to her work.
Her background as a venture capitalist and technologist adds unique dimensions to her storytelling, especially in The Road Afar, a two-volume historical epic exploring entrepreneurship and human resilience. Published in China in 2021, the novel received critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including a nomination for the 11th Mao Dun Literature Prize, one of Chinese literature’s highest honors.
Helen’s literary journey began with Besieged in Rome, a collection of novellas and short stories that delves into the complexities of human emotion in global urban settings. In 2022, she was named one of the most influential novelists of the year by Dangdang, China’s leading online bookseller. Now, with her debut English-language novel, she invites a global audience to experience stories that bridge cultures and celebrate the universal threads of humanity.
When she’s not writing, Helen enjoys composing and performing emotionally rich songs, vlogging about AI, and connecting with readers worldwide.
Honors & Awards
Helen has received many honors and awards, including:
Nomination for Mao Dun Literature Prize, 2023
The 2nd World Chinese Literature Award · Fiction Award, 2023
Dangdang Influential Novelist, 2022
The 16th Five One Project Award of Chongqing, 2022
First Prize of the 35th National City Publishers’ Outstanding Books, 2022
For inquiries regarding permissions and rights, publicity, or publishing, please contact Helen at: helen@goldencranemedia.com.
For all other engagements, connect with Helen on X (Helentheauthor) or Facebook (Helen Liu) .