Kosuke Fujiki is a new Insignia Stories contributor from one of my favorite areas of Japan, Okinawa! I was thrilled to receive 3 Okinawan-myth drabbles for the Mythical Creatures of Asia anthology. Here is one today. Enjoy! She Saw Shisa Kosuke Fujiki When Machiko saw Shisa, a big, mottled viper was about to attack her.... Continue Reading →
WiHM & AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: FUSAKO OHKI
Today's Author Spotlight is presented (and translated) by guest editor, Toshiya Kamei! It is my great pleasure to introduce you to Fusako Ohki, an up-and-coming Japanese writer of fantasy and horror. She has three drabbles (originally titled, respectively, “Kappa,” “Nekomata,” and “Shuten-dōji”) in the forthcoming Mythical Creatures of Asia anthology. Poised to make a literary... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #17: ‘Hot Pursuit Goes Underground…’ by John H. Dromey
First INSTINCTS poem for the year! Please enjoy another haiku (double) by regular contributor, John H. Dromey! Hot Pursuit Goes Underground, Hostage Unharmed John H. Dromey His sweetheart kidnappedA spelunking samuraiRushed to her rescue With his katanaHiro slew the abductorInter the dragon ~~~ About the Author: John H. Dromey was born in northeast Missouri,... Continue Reading →
Horror Matsuri #9: ‘A Yōkai’s Haiku Halloween Abroad’ John H. Dromey
HORROR MATSURI #9 / INSTINCTS (POETRY) #14 It's Week 5 of Horror Matsuri, and sadly today is the last poem, but it's a good one! This is John H. Dromey's second poem for the month. The first, 'Spooky Yuki-onna' can be read here. A Yōkai's Haiku Halloween Abroad John H. Dromey Just one day... Continue Reading →
Horror Matsuri #3: ‘Spooky Yuki-onna‘ John H. Dromey
HORROR MATSURI #1 / INSTINCTS (POETRY) #11 It's Week 2 of Horror Matsuri, and time for more poetry! John H. Dromey is a regular Insignia Stories contributor, with micro-fiction in both Insignia Drabbles volumes and a great Japanese story in our recent Castles & Kimono anthology. He also has another poem scheduled for Horror Matsuri... Continue Reading →
INS8 Excerpt #4: ‘Dream Sequence’ by John H. Dromey
This excerpt is from a story by John H. Dromey, who is also a contributor in both Japanese Fantasy Drabbles and the upcoming Southeast Asian Fantasy Drabbles (Out Sept 24th). And look out for his poetry during Horror Matsuri in October! 'DREAM SEQUENCE' BY JOHN H. DROMEY Excerpt: Hoshiko was a born dreamer. As she... Continue Reading →
INS8 Excerpt #3: ‘Waiting by the Otogawa River’ by Kelly Matsuura
Today's excerpt is from me, Kelly Matsuura! It's a little weird promoting as the editor and also being a contributor, but this particular anthology is special to me because I LOVE Japanese castles, plus I have 2 stories in this collection. I also have a story in Japanese Fantasy Stories called 'The Waiting World' that's... Continue Reading →
INS8 Excerpt #2: ‘King Anisika’ by Tetsuya Sato & Toshiya Kamei (translator)
This second excerpt from 'Castles & Kimono' is from Japanese SFF author, Tetsuya Sato. Translated by Toshiya Kamei, it's a traditional-style Japanese piece and I'm proud to include it in the anthology. There was a short write-up about Tetsuya's story on the Japanese site Virtual Gorilla Plus recently (in Japanese only): https://virtualgorillaplus.com/nobel/king-anisika-insignia/ 'KING... Continue Reading →
INS8 Excerpt #1: ‘Portal to Miyashita’ by Carmen Indalecio
As you might have noticed, I love sharing excerpts! Well, Insignia: Castles & Kimono was just released on Sep 27th, so I'd like to introduce the authors and share a few teasers from the wonderful Japanese fantasy stories in this collection. This first excerpt is from new contributor, Carmen Indalecio. She also has work featured... Continue Reading →
Happy Release Day! ‘Insignia: Castles & Kimono’ (Insignia Series #8)
HAPPY RELEASE DAY! I'm really excited about this anthology, it's one of my most favorite themes! Thank you to the wonderful contributors who worked with me on this book. CASTLES & KIMONO INSIGNIA VOL.8. includes 8 stories and 1 poem with historical Japanese settings. Release Date: August 27th, 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 'Waiting... Continue Reading →