In Between Worlds

Still getting ready for the launch of the space opera with werewolves - Starfang - and trying to recover from a bad bout of viral stomach flu (that’s what the doctor said). So, I am using this space to signal boost one of my earliest YA novels, Oysters, Pearls and Magic.

***

Excerpt:

So I was surprised when Benyi gave me a small mirror with an ornate black iron-wrought frame, bought from the blacksmith who has his workshop at Lambs Quarter. I thanked him and he smiled at me shyly before darting off into his class.

It came wrapped in gossamer-thin paper and I peeled the layers open, only to see my face reflected in the mirror. Only except I did not know that was my face, until I blinked and the reflection blinked back at me. I touched my right cheek and the reflection did so by touching her left.

I have the black hair so typical of my village, worn long and tied in a severe ponytail. My face is slender, almost thin, and my skin color is brown, no doubt a product of being under the sun for a long time. My ancestors hailed mainly from Asian and Southeast Asian extraction. That was way back on Terra Firma and even now, we could perceive distinctive physical features: oblique eyes, dark hair, petite stature. I pouted my lips; they were a dark ruby red, glistening with my saliva.

I tilted my face to the left and my hair caught the light from the candles: edged with gold and shimmering away, tinged with fire. I was intrigued by my own physical appearance.

For a long time, I have decided to be Apart. That is to say that I have chosen to walk the path of singlehood. I have never thought of being part of a pair or triad or – like the families in my village – marrying husbands. I have not taken account of how I look like to people. I have now reached twenty-one sun-circles. Marriageable age, as Grandmother would say with a twinkle in her eye. My cousins have married once they are old enough. I remain repulsed by the concept after witnessing what Second Father has done.

***

I specifically intended Oysters, Pearls and Magic to be POC-centered, inspired by my heritage. If you read on, the oysters (yum) and the colorful head scarves are reminders of the Hui An people from Fujian. Though nominally Han, they are more like a minority group with their own distinctive ethnic costume/wear.

The (free) novel on Wattpad:

http://www.wattpad.com/7206402-of-oysters-pearls-and-magic

On Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6978

So, if you want to support POC-centered YA novels written by POC, try Oysters, Pearls and Magic.

I will be off to discuss all-important terms and stuff. Work, yes. Hopefully, by the end of today, I will be entering the workforce again.

And for today: Oysters, Pearls and Magic on Smashwords is free.

I am back from Pulau Ubin, an island with the last remnants of old Singapore (where people were kinder and more generous) and fantastic wildlife (I saw a lot of fauna).

Photos will be uploaded. But I will be scarce for the rest of the week, as I need to kick the pile of marking into submission.

Midautumn Festival is around the corner. I have already started eating mooncakes. I suspect I will buy more of them.

At the moment, please enjoy Path Of Kindness: One: a sequel to Oysters, Pearls and Magic. It is a teaser, of sorts, at the moment.

Kindle users: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q9TMJG and http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PYDIUG #kindle #OPMya #WingedYA - #supporthelittleguy

Rainy day here. Good day to sleep in. Bronchitis slowly going away (but still coughing up lime-green phlegm - ugh, gross, I know...). D let me to sleep in.

Found myself going to an interview to a local junior college (high school for you guys in US). I will be teaching again for a term. Right now, we are going through paperwork and approvals. So, yes, I have a job.

An email conversation with a friend reminds me that I need to come up with a marketing plan for my book release. Wait, I got it written down somewhere... *rummages through her notes* Marketing is always the hardest...

Still working on My novella signal boost. Added social media aids.

***

Still feeling vulnerable. I want to curl up under the blankets and hide. But of course, I can't. I have to be wife, mother and daughter.

I have to be strong.

Is up and running.

Excerpt:
Rakshya fed me nourishing soups, made with fish and herbs. How she managed to get fish remains a mystery. Occasionally, Dorje Dawa would come and massage my body with warm fragrant oils, murmuring words of healing as she did so, her fingers kneading all the knots of pain away.

... here ends Oysters, Pearls and Magic, both Books 1 and 2. Thank you for being readers and supporters of this web-based novella. Throughout January, I will post Bonus Tales. Hopefully, by the end of the year, Oysters, Pearls and Magic will emerge as a print book. Likewise, if you like the novella, do help me give it a signal boost. Perhaps, we can pitch it to publishers.

As a gift, I will offer you the whole Book. Free and web-based.

... is up.

Excerpt:
"It was the silver fish. “I fixed it for you. Managed to salvage most of the parts.” Rakshya patted the metallic side with a satisfied grin. “Fortunately, the cognition module has not been damaged.”

is up and running.

Excerpt:
"It was extremely cold where we crashed. Snow. White ice that bit my ankles, my skin. The wind screamed at my face, tearing at my limbs like some wild creature straight from the stories."

Ninth Branch: Anger is posted.

Excerpt:
Grandmother’s face hovered above me. She had come to see me. Elation surged through me, coupled with relief. “Ah-ma,” I whispered, ghost daggers of pain stabbing into my bandaged side. “Ah-ma.” I really want to go home.