Zi-Fan Shieh studied Chinese literature at university. She is now based in Taipei, having previously lived in Hsinchu, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Hong Kong. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked for an advertising agency, where she wrote copy for product ads. Thanks to this experience, observing, analysing and commenting on things have long been second nature to her. This ability to perceive her environment in minute detail is also reflected in her literary works. She has won a number of awards, including the City of Taipei 2016 literature prize.