ORI author Soma Mei Sheng Frazier to host talks, book signing Sept. 23

The author of this year’s Oswego Reading Initiative (ORI) selection “Off the Books” – and a SUNY Oswego English and creative writing faculty member – Soma Mei Sheng Frazier will present two talks and a book signing on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
 

The first SUNY Oswego professor to author the book selected for summer campuswide reading, Frazier will provide a talk to the campus community starting at 7 p.m. in the Hewitt Hall ballroom, followed by a book signing. Prior to that, Frazier will speak as part of the university’s Living Writers Series at 3 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center auditorium. Both talks are free and open to the public.

“Oswego has had so many fabulous professors who were authors, so I feel so honored to come along at the right time to be the first ORI author from SUNY Oswego,” Frazier said.

“It is truly an honor to see one of our own become the ORI author,” Rameen Mohammadi, chair of the ORI Committee and associate provost for undergraduate and special programs, said in announcing the selection of “Off the Books” for the 2026-27 academic year. “This is the first time in 25 years for the ORI program where the book has been written by an Oswego faculty member.”

Each year, first-year students are encouraged to read the ORI selection over the summer and discuss with each other and with others when they come to campus. Various programs connect with the selection along the way.

“Off the Books” earned critical acclaim for deftly walking a tightrope of an engaging character-driven story and a serious exploration of international atrocities in China.

The plot of the book -- which earned glowing reviews from the likes of the New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle -- involves Mei, a twentysomething Chinese-American Ivy League dropout who drives clients with discreet needs (hence “off the books”), mainly around the California Bay Area. When she takes on a cross-country assignment with Henry, a handsome, mysterious gentleman with a big secret, she finds herself drawn into romance, adventure and international intrigue.

Global issue

“I think ORI-winning writers are often focusing on a microcosm that makes the story personal to some people and the macrocosm that makes it relevant to everyone,” Frazier said. “Because this book deals with a larger issue, it fits in with a close focus on a character and her personal journey, but it’s also about world issues. As MLK famously said: ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’”

Behind the playful banter of Mei and Henry is a serious, inescapable plot involving China's persecution of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. “Most of these persecuted Uyghurs live in Xinjiang, a mostly desert region that produces about 20 percent of the world’s cotton –- in large part through what is believed to be Uyghur forced labor,” Frazier said.

Frazier had to navigate the challenge of writing about a serious topic while also providing enough humor and hope to keep readers engaged. The novel also has very strong family and cultural themes.

“I mostly focus on the dialogue being lighthearted,” Frazier said, “There’s a lot of banter, and I make some accessible, interesting characters. The characters and dialogue bring light and humor to the story.”

The reception for the novel, via the prominent Macmillan Publishers house, exceeded Frazier’s dreams. “Off the Books” appeared on multiple summer must-read lists, including The San Francisco Chronicle’s summer books "perfect to pore over" and Bustle’s summer "40 Most Anticipated Books," which noted the book as "an illuminating update of the classic American road trip story, equal parts uplifting and heartbreaking, and always mindful of the journey’s underlying danger." 

Among other raves from authors and publications, the book earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, which called it “A vital, enthralling debut in which devastating social commentary is delivered with a wink.”

For more information, visit the ORI website. For those needing accommodations to attend the talk and booksigning, email Erin Timbello, [email protected].