Farmers harvest a crop of poetry

Wang Xueyi, 52, who has been paralyzed for many years, published his first story in 1987. His home is often a gathering place for lovers of literature.

Culture and tradition

Xiji has a population of 510,000, but there are 37 literature clubs and more than 200 published writers, including six members of the Chinese Writers Association and 31 from the provincial association, according to Guo Ning, director of Xiji's Literature and Art Association. As editor-in-chief of the biggest local literary magazine, Guo said he has received more than 25,000 e-mails from aspiring contributors during the past three years.

"Reading and writing is our culture and tradition," said Guo, "People also forge close links through literature."

Wang Xueyi, a 52-year-old who has been paralyzed since a scaffolding accident when he was 19, said he got his social life back through writing.

After the accident, he was bed-ridden for several years. Reading and writing became one of few things he could do. In 1987, he published his first story and made 40 yuan.

When an editor called him for more stories, he felt he was useful for the first time in his life.

"Without reading my stories, who would know about a paralyzed person like me?" he said. "When I was first visited by other lovers of literature in my town, I felt like an antique that had finally been excavated after centuries.

"Most of the visitors were also farmers. We talked about our crops, cattle, and, of course, literature," he said.

Yang Xiuqin writes for rural women like herself. Her short novels, mostly romances, are popular with a lot of female readers in Xiji.

"In the rural areas, women are not even supposed to go to school, but I want to prove that women should have decent education and can be writers," said the 40-year-old woman.

Her success has encouraged her daughters, 18 and 16, to stay in school, although her husband complains that writing keeps Yang from doing farm work but doesn't bring in more income for the poor family.