By the end of their junior year, Hsu and Han had sent their manuscript to a variety of publishers, and in August the book was published by the University of Michigan Press, three years after its inception.

Since sorting out her self-described identity crisis, Han, who graduated from Boston College in 2003 with a degree in Philosophy and Human Development, has been working at Harvard Business School as a research associate.

Hsu, who is currently doing non-profit and government consulting and engagement work for McKinsey, concentrated in Environmental Science and Public Policy while at Harvard and helped create the Resource Efficiency Program, as well as being a Crimson photographer.

Hsu and Han agree that the project would have been impossible had either of them attempted to undertake it individually. Han highlighted their complementary approaches as a key factor in the book’s completion, and jokingly referred to the book as a love child. Like doting parents, Hsu and Han watched their project grow and develop with a mutual interest in its success.

“We were grounded by the same desire to see this project to completion, and I think that was enough to keep the thing going,” Han said. “Don’t get me wrong: There were times when I wanted to reach through my computer screen and bop him on the head, but…at the end of the day, the book is complete with both of our efforts.”

Hsu and Han collaborated primarily through e-mail, which establishes Asian American X as a thoroughly modern enterprise, from conception to delivery. Han first became aware of Fong’s “Invasion” through a listserv, and Hsu and Han relied almost exclusively on e-mail correspondence during the compilation process.

Hsu and Han have received lots of positive feedback on the book. Hsu said that many of the essayists said they are pleased with the book, and that several professors have already added it to their syllabi. He said that young Asian Americans, their parents and non-Asian Americans alike have also responded favorably.

Hsu and Han believe the collection will appeal to many American readers because it espouses American ideals in content and form. “It’s a great way of taking a snapshot of the Asian American experience. It sort of highlights that diversity,” Hsu said.

“What the essays are actually accomplishing is the pursuit of knowledge, the pursuit of freedom to really understand who one is, and that has an American parallel throughout history. It’s a very American thing to chart your own identity,” Hsu said.

Hsu and Han say they hope Asian American X will spark dialogue about the issues it raises. They are currently involved in a nationwide promotional tour, and the Harvard Asian American Association is hosting a discussion about the book with John and two essayists today from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Adams Lower Common Room.