“In fevered haze, the warmth I hold,
Neo-citron sips, as night’s grip takes hold,
The seaside’s breath, both damp and cold,
Through window’s crack, dark tales retold.
The purple dusk, the waves deceive,
Whispers carried by the breeze,
Of slumbering gods beneath the seas,
A chill of fate, where hope deceives.”
Hello everyone,
I hope this message finds you well! Thanks for taking a moment from your frenetic doomscrolling to see what nonsense I’ve cooked up today. They say to fail to plan is to plan to fail, but what about planning the absurd? Is it as sure to fly as a feathered bird? Or perhaps the challenge of the spoken word is that it rarely gets properly heard. Alas, I digress.
It is September 1st, and a clock is ticking. On October 1st, I will reveal the cover for my new book, and the preorder page will go up on the spookiest of days—October 31st! I’m excited. But today, I will share the title with you and give a sneak peek at a couple of other unfinished projects.
I’ll start with a story. When I used to go back to Canada, I’d be hungry for everything familiar—new shoes that fit (my huge canoe-sized feet make shoe shopping a challenge here in China), ketchup chips, and other Canadian-specific oddities… not to mention copious amounts of coffee beans. These days, I’m proud to say that I can take care of myself in China, so my shopping list has been whittled down to just two things: interesting socks and quality books.
I’ll save the sock talk for my next post. Today, I want to share some of the books I brought back with me, including a few signed by literary heroes, friends, or in some lucky cases, a combination of the two. First off, here’s a glimpse of my library at home—not the campus apartment, but the one I slip away to in Chongqing when I have a moment to breathe away from students and lecture halls.
I’ve always dreamed of having a beautiful library, and while this one doesn’t have a ladder yet, it’s pretty awesome to have so many great books to inspire me when I’m relaxing in China on the weekends.
I’ve expanded my shelf of published books to include a ‘signed by author’ section—many of them are also lovely hardcover editions. Here, let me show you a couple:
“The Name of the Wind,” in its 10th-anniversary illustrated edition, is a lyrical and evocative novel by Patrick Rothfuss. It tells the story of Kvothe, a legendary figure, through Rothfuss’s meticulously polished prose. His perfectionist writing reminds me to revel in editing and to keep polishing until they pry the book from your hands. Owning this autographed copy is a real pleasure.
“Neuromancer,” in the green hardcover edition signed by William Gibson, is a seminal cyberpunk novel that deeply influenced me growing up. Living in the secret cyberpunk supercity of Chongqing continues to transform my literary journey. After foolishly giving away my first autographed copy in Toronto, I’m finally thrilled to own one again.
Meeting Canadian sci-fi superstar Robert J. Sawyer and Chinese King of Sci-fi Liu Cixin at the 2023 Chengdu Worldcon was an incredible and inspiring experience. I loved Robert’s new book, “The Downloaded,” which explores themes of consciousness and technology. Receiving a signed paperback copy from him this summer was a thrilling addition to my library.
The “Three-Body Problem” trilogy, in the hardcover omnibus edition by Liu Cixin, is a highly influential series in China and now a hit TV show worldwide. Meeting him was inspirational; he is a quiet, thoughtful genius. People waited hours for his autograph, and I was finally able to get this book in my preferred format, to my great pleasure.
“The Orc King” by R.A. Salvatore, with its powerful and dynamic action-packed cover, is emblematic of his evocative fantasy storytelling. As a counterbalance to Patrick Rothfuss, Bob taught me not to wring my hands: just create great characters, send them on adventures, and adverbs be damned—people will still love your stories. He’s a prolific and talented author, and when my own book, “Amos the Amazing,” was finally finished, he personally congratulated me on Twitter. We’ve had some correspondence over the years; he was my first bona fide childhood superstar writer to treat me like one of the gang and encourage me to keep reaching for my dreams. It’s just a delight to have his books on my shelf.
“Stardust” by Neil Gaiman is a masterful fairytale that showcases his lyrical storytelling—a natural who painstakingly makes it seem easy. This wonderful gift edition captures the essence of a timeless tale crafted by a modern living master of the craft. Gaiman weaves a magical journey that feels both fresh and classic, making it a treasured addition to any library.
Sandy Petersen, the visionary who brought Cthulhu to gaming tables, has crafted a beautiful leatherbound hardcover edition of “Cthulhu Mythos for D&D 5E.” This signed copy is not only a lovely book but also an invaluable resource for my nightmarish writings and game sessions. Petersen seamlessly integrates Lovecraftian horror into the D&D universe, enriching gameplay with cosmic dread and eldritch lore. Owning this edition is a true delight, inspiring me to delve deeper into the realms of horror and fantasy.
“The Little Gamemaster” by Randal Hampton is a delightful D&D-inspired children’s book by a great cartoonist who did a lot of work to help me get the concept for my “Amos” books off the ground. His lovely signed and personally illustrated gift is a treasure. The book is a charming adventure that introduces young readers to the magic of tabletop gaming, making it a cherished addition to my collection.
An important book that I’m excited to bring back this summer is “This Changes Everything” by Naomi Klein. The book offers a powerful critique of the intersection between climate change and capitalism. Klein argues that the climate crisis cannot be solved within the current free-market framework and calls for a fundamental restructuring of our economic and political systems. As a #solarpunk, I find this transformative work important as it emphasizes the urgency of collective action to protect the planet, making it an inspiring and significant read.
“Fighting for the Future: Cyberpunk and Solarpunk Tales,” edited by Phoebe Wagner, is an anthology that brings together a collection of stories exploring the contrasting themes of cyberpunk and solarpunk. The book examines the intersection of technology, society, and the environment, presenting dystopian visions alongside hopeful alternatives. Through these narratives, the anthology encourages readers to reflect on the impact of technological advancement on humanity’s future, highlighting both the challenges we face and the possibilities for positive change.
“The Book of Elsewhere” is a genre-bending new epic co-authored by Keanu Reeves and China Miéville. The novel explores themes of ancient powers and modern warfare, centered around an outcast who cannot die. This collaboration combines Reeves’s storytelling prowess, known from his work on the “BRZRKR” comic series, with Miéville’s imaginative and genre-defying writing style from novels like “Perdido Street Station” and “The City & The City.” The book offers a compelling new narrative that merges elements of fantasy, science fiction, and philosophical inquiry, making it a highly anticipated addition to contemporary literature.
Here is a snap of some of my favorite new books, next to some that I’ve written in the past 5 years. Anyway, can you guess the name of my next book? It was hidden in plain sight. That’s all for today! Come back on October 1st for the cover reveal.
Lots of spooky love to you all. <3
Your pal,
Jorah Kai
“So all I can do is do my best and hope somehow in the end we all get a happy ending”
