Snow Flower and the Secret Fan author Lisa See (pictured, via) has inked a two-book deal with Random House.

Her next novel, Dream of Joy, will be released on May 31st. The book continues the story of two characters introduced in Shanghai Girls, Pearl and May. Executive editor Bob Loomis negotiated the deal with Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency president Sandra Dijkstra.

See had this statement in the release: “I was a midlist writer with not much of a future when I first came to Random House. Bob Loomis pushed me to work deeper and harder. With his guidance and with the support of everyone at Random House, I’ve blossomed as a writer.”

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A film adaptation of Lisa See‘s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan will hit theaters in July 15th. The official trailer is embedded above–what do you think?

According to Word and Film, the film stars Bingbing Li, Gianna Jun, Vivian Wu, and Hugh Jackman. Director Wayne Wang helmed the project.

In an essay about the writing the book, See explained: “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a story about friendship and what it means to be a woman. Yes, our lives are completely different from those lived by the nu shu writers, but inside we are the same. We want people to hear our thoughts, appreciate our creativity, and feel empathy for our emotions.” (via Shelf Awareness)