Congratulations to the 10 authors selected for this year's Best Asian Speculative Fiction anthology! See the full Table of Contents below. Congratulations! Insignia 2022: Best Asian Speculative Fiction is a selection of 10 fantasy & science fiction stories set in various Asian countries. Insignia 2022 Release date: December 2022. TABLE OF CONTENTS Fantasy Stories: ‘Tea Party for... Continue Reading →
Mythical Drabbles: ‘To Catch a Cryptid’ by John H. Dromey
We're back this week with more Mythical Drabbles! Enjoy this one from regular Insignia Stories contributor, John H. Dromey. To Catch a Cryptid John H. Dromey A car salesman eyed his bookish, bespectacled customer with skepticism. “Dune buggies?” “Yes. I’m Professor Chinbatiin. I’m planning a cryptozoological fishing trip to the Gobi Desert.” “Hold on! You... Continue Reading →
Author Spotlight: YUKI FUWA
Today's Author Spotlight is presented by regular contributor and translator, Toshiya Kamei. I take great pleasure in introducing to you one of the brightest up-and-coming Japanese writers. Originally from Osaka, Yuki Fuwa later moved to Tokyo and studied Chinese literature at Waseda University. Her favorite writers include Shinichi Hoshi (1926-1998, a master of short shorts)... Continue Reading →
Mythical Drabbles: ‘Who Sits Beneath the Unlit Lantern’ by Nick Tan
Enjoy this moody drabble from Malaysian writer, Nick Tan! Who Sits Beneath the Unlit Lantern Nick Tan Qi Jin set the bowl of steaming noodles beneath the unlit lantern at her doorway. The landlord was coming up the street, banging at his tenants’ doors, collecting the rent she could no longer afford. She hurried inside... Continue Reading →
Mythical Drabbles: ‘And Yet…’ by Joachim Heijndermans
Today we have Joachim Heijndermans making his Insignia Stories debut! I'm a big fan of Joachim's drabbles and stories over at Black Hare Press, and thrilled to be able to include his work in our newest anthology, Mythical Creatures of Asia. Enjoy this dark drabble featuring Korean beasts! And Yet... Joachim Heijndermans They kept us... Continue Reading →
INSTINCTS #21: ‘Mebu’yan Writes a Letter to an Old Friend’ by Alton Melvar M Dapanas
A new poem today, by Filipino poet Alton Melvar M. Dapanas. Enjoy! Mebu’yan Writes a Letter to an Old Friend You are here with meas a daydream in a languagelong gone, like poetry, a birdsong, or a ritual to appease. Mapping you out in inconstant terrains—a looming mountain range,the still mangroves from a distance,the ninth... Continue Reading →
WiHM Drabble: ‘The Nail in the Nape of Her Neck’ by McKenzie Richardson
I'm sharing a second drabble from Mythical Creatures of Asia today, this is by one of my favorite Black Hare Press drabblers, McKenzie Richardson. Enjoy her Indonesian myth-inspired drabble! The Nail in the Nape of Her Neck McKenzie Richardson They say Harum was the perfect wife, Bejo’s prized possession. The child hadn’t known any better... 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 →
January News: Open calls & plans for 2021
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and summer/winter break. I went up in the mountains, to Takayama in Gifu. One of my favorite places in Japan! It has a lovely historical town, plus nice onsen (hot springs) and snowy mountain peaks. And the food is amazing. I highly recommend a... Continue Reading →
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
Hi everyone! Submissions are now open for the new drabbles anthology:' MYTHICAL CREATURES OF ASIA Please read the FULL submission guidelines on the Submissions (Drabbles Series) Page. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's stories! Good luck! ~Kelly Matsuura~