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 →
INS2020 Excerpt #3: ‘Railroad to Potalaka’ by Juan Takai & Toshiya Kamei
How about a Japanese *tsukumogami story? This is a great piece by Juan Takai, translated by our resident Japanese translator, Toshiya Kamei. You can also enjoy Juan's writing in both of our drabble anthologies: Japanese Fantasy Drabbles (now available) and Southeast Asian Fantasy Drabbles due out in September. RAILROAD TO POTALAKA By Juan Takai Translated... Continue Reading →
Author Spotlight: EISUKE AIKAWA
It's my honor to introduce Eisuke Aikawa, contributor to our newly-released anthology, Japanese Fantasy Drabbles. Born in Chiba in 1977, Eisuke Aikawa is a writer based in Fukuoka. He has published two collections of short stories, Hiking (2017) and Kumo wo hanareta tsuki (2018). His short fiction has appeared in venues such as Bungakukai,... Continue Reading →
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! ‘Japanese Fantasy Drabbles’ is OUT NOW!!
CONGRATULATIONS to all the authors who provided the incredible stories for this collection! It was so much fun to collaborate with past Insignia Series contributors as well as many new international writers. And SPECIAL THANKS to Toshiya Kamei, who translated about 15 of drabbles for this book. He's an INSIGNIA STAR! JAPANESE FANASY DRABBLES (... Continue Reading →
Pre-order ‘Japanese Fantasy Drabbles’!
The Kindle pre-order link for 'Japanese Fantasy Drabbles' is now live! Releasing on April 16th, this anthology features 80 drabbles (100-word stories) inspired by Japanese folklore and yokai tales, as well as original fantasy and science fiction pieces. CONTRIBUTORS: Amy Clare Fontaine - A.S. Charly - Bayveen O’Connell - Beth W. Patterson Carmen Indalecio -... Continue Reading →
Cover Reveal! ‘Japanese Fantasy Drabbles’ (Insignia Drabbles #1)
Happy New Year, everyone! I'm very excited to share the cover for our upcoming anthology: Japanese Fantasy Drabbles. It is the first planned release in the new Insignia Drabbles series. I haven't decided the release date yet, but it will likely be mid-February. For now, enjoy the cover! ~Kelly Matsuura~ This anthology includes... Continue Reading →
Author Spotlight: HEATHER EWINGS
Next in our Author Spotlight series is one of Insignia's original contributors, Heather Ewings! Heather Ewings (whose story Kitsune was published in Insignia Vol. 1 under the name Heather Jensen) is an Australian author of speculative fiction. She has a MA in History, and a fascination with myth and folklore. Aside from Insignia, Heather’s work... Continue Reading →
Excerpt: ‘The Star Ball’ by Amy Fontaine
The second story I'd like to share tonight from Insignia: Asian Birds & Beasts is by a new contributor, Amy Fontaine. Amy's story is a fun adventure about a Japanese boy who meets a mischievous kitsune (fox-shifter). 'The Star Ball' by Amy Fontaine Excerpt: Koki’s mother had been tired when she came home from... Continue Reading →
HAPPY RELEASE DAY! ‘Insignia: Asian Birds & Beasts’ (Vol. 6.)
Cheers to our second anthology release this summer! In this volume you'll find an array of animal shifters, magical creatures, gods, and spirits. Story settings include: India, Japan, Cambodia, China, and outer-space! ASIAN BIRDS & BEASTS INSIGNIA VOL. 6. includes 8 short stories with Asian characters, settings, and magical creatures. CONTENTS ‘Reborn’ by Nidhi... Continue Reading →
Book of the Week: ‘Best Served Chilled’ by Zoe Adams
This week's book is Best Served Chilled by Zoe Adams, published by Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Publishing. It's a short horror novella featuring a Japanese alcohol demon. There's a follow-up story, Best Consumed Within, which I happened to read first, lol! It was a bit confusing, so I recommend you read them in order.... Continue Reading →