#ay chao

[miatsai]

upcoming things

just putting everything in a single post, apologies because i've triple-posted across social media already

BOOKS FOR MAUI: I've got stuff up for auction! A signed, personalized copy of Bitter Medicine (open to international) and a short story critique (up to 25k words) plus an AMA. I'm the submissions editor at Giganotosaurus and I'm fresh off a stint guest-editing at Strange Horizons, in case you wanted my bona fides. I read so, so, so much short fiction. So much.

And then tomorrow, August 22, at 7 PM ET, I'm helping launch S.L. Huang's The Water Outlaws along with A.Y. Chao! This is a virtual event. Registration is required to join us: https://tubbyandcoos.com/event/wateroutlaws/?instance_id=5604

Do you like wuxia? Do you like reinterpretations of classic Chinese literature? Do you support women's rights, and more importantly, DO YOU SUPPORT WOMEN'S WRONGS? Because I do. See you tomorrow.

[fullibooked]

I saw a lot of love for the aesthetic of Shanghai Immortal when it was released, but not much about the contents. I am now here to tell you that the inside of the book is even better than the outside.

Lady Jing lives in Shanghai, though not the mortal one. Under the discerning eye of the King of Hell, Lady Jing has spent the last 90 years running errands in difficult clothing, getting into fights with spiteful immortals, and trying not to lose herself in the frenzy of fresh blood. (Oh yeah, she's half vampire, half fox spirit. Imagine the shenanigans!!) When a mortal man arrives on the docks of her immortal city, Jing will have her chance to get back at the courtiers she hates with a passion… just as long as she doesn't eat him first.

This. Book. Is. So. Much. Fun! The jazz age aesthetic is all glamour. The rainless underworld is shadowy and delicious. The hulijung are haughty, venomous, kind, silly, and dangerous. The King of Hell is a mob boss vibing in his power. Lady Jing is an absolute ratbag and my new favourite character. I lost it every time she complained about all the courtiers wandering around with "their ta-ta's out". All the characters made this book stand out. A.Y. Chao has made this a stellar debut, and I need more! My sweet tooth is not sated, and I will be returning for more deities, please and thank you. I have my caramels ready.