Random Epiphanies

Book Launch for “Song of the Mango and Other New Myths”!

Apologies for the silence of the last few months. I got very busy with, among other things, the book production process of my first traditionally published short story collection. And now... ...it's finally here, in all its glory. In recent years, I've come to believe that authors should be able to append notes to their… Continue reading Book Launch for “Song of the Mango and Other New Myths”!

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Travel, Writing

Publication Day: ‘Ink: A Love Story’

Yesterday, the ebook version of issue seven of Lontar: The Journal of Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction was finally released! I'm thrilled to announce that: I have a story there. It's my week 2 Clarion piece, "Ink: A Love Story", about two writers who write their perfect lovers into existence. I'm sharing the TOC with Clarion classmate Manish… Continue reading Publication Day: ‘Ink: A Love Story’

Random Epiphanies

Why I’ll Never Be a Witch in Harry Potter’s World: Language, Politics, and the Elitism of a Magical Education

I. I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the year I turned 11. Like so many other Harry Potter fans, I was hoping against hope that Hogwarts was real and that I'd get a letter inviting me to attend (of course, no such thing happened). But then, I read a phrase that I didn't… Continue reading Why I’ll Never Be a Witch in Harry Potter’s World: Language, Politics, and the Elitism of a Magical Education

Analysis/Reviews

Book Review: ‘Seraphina’ by Rachel Hartman

If you read only one novel this year, make it Rachel Hartman's debut novel Seraphina. I was first attracted by the gorgeous cover of the 2014 reprint edition, and then by this interesting article on inventing gender systems by Hartman herself. When I finally dove into Seraphina, the first book in the duology, it was thankfully much, much more… Continue reading Book Review: ‘Seraphina’ by Rachel Hartman

Random Epiphanies

Book Review: ‘The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic’ by Emily Croy Barker

WARNING: SPOILERS AHOY. I bought this book for four reasons: Finding this book (and its unusually bright cover) in the usually snooty Literature section of the bookstore, The blurb from the amazing Kelly Link at the back, Finding out that the author's day job is that of a journalist, And the summary stating that this would… Continue reading Book Review: ‘The Thinking Woman’s Guide to Real Magic’ by Emily Croy Barker

Writing

Where Ghost Words Dwell: In which I share a discarded scrap from my novella

Things have been pretty quiet around here. Bear with me while I adjust to some life changes, including a new job and a rowdy litter of puppies. But I've also been writing a novella at the same time. It's kept me sane since January, for which I am grateful considering some of the really shitty… Continue reading Where Ghost Words Dwell: In which I share a discarded scrap from my novella

Clarion 2014

Clarion 2014, week 4: In which everything breaks down and is eased back together

Before the actual post starts, let's be clear here: Week Four Syndrome is a thing. But one will never be prepared for it no matter how many Clarion blogs one reads. I know I certainly wasn't. In general, it's usually the week when all the physical, mental, emotional, and psychological exhaustion comes to a head in… Continue reading Clarion 2014, week 4: In which everything breaks down and is eased back together

Analysis/Reviews

Book Review: ‘Sourdough and Other Stories’ by Angela Slatter

Readers can dive into a short story collection at any point in the book--unlike with novels, which are usually read from cover to cover. Not so with Angela Slatter's Sourdough and Other Stories. You could read the 16 gems in this book in any order, but to get the full effect of her nesting doll-like structure,… Continue reading Book Review: ‘Sourdough and Other Stories’ by Angela Slatter