So I’ve been sitting on this news for over a year…

And I’m ecstatic to share that my my Asian fantasy novel, LAND OF SAND AND SONG, will be published by Penguin Random House (SEA) in July 2021!!! 😍

Yes, this is the novel I’d been working on from March 2016 to March 2019, have written multiple (terrible) drafts for, and spent a year querying. The one I had grand plans for (currently working on the sequels and planning a spinoff duology whaaat) but didn’t know how it would be received, by agents, editors and publishing houses alike. The one that I almost gave up on because it was too big, too ambitious, too Asian, for me to wrangle or for the market to ever accept it.

LAND OF SAND AND SONG was born out of the guilty pleasure I take in watching Korean saeguk (historical dramas) and Chinese wuxia dramas, as well as my desire to see more Asian-inspired fantasy on the shelves.

This is a book about a girl who ventures beyond the world she has always known with a singular goal in mind, and I found myself living vicariously through her as I explored this world of my own making. It took my imagination to places I never thought I could roam, and had me researching the treacherous wilderness of the Taklamakan desert and figures like Emperor Qin Shi Huang (who was obsessed with acquiring immortality), and physically discovering the nooks and crannies of the Forbidden City.

So writing this book was a trip, to say the least. I enjoyed writing it so much because I got to delve into so much research and discover new things.

I am honestly verklempt right now, especially after seeing my author and book pages up on Penguin’s website. It’s happening. It’s finally happening. 😭😭😭

I’m so thankful, and can’t wait to share more with you guys in the coming weeks, so please watch this space for the cover reveal, pre-order and official launch dates (and possibly more sappy posts)!

In the meantime, you can add the book to your “Want to Read” list on Goodreads, vote it on a list or two, or write a pre-review (or add me as a friend! I don’t bite). You might also want to check out the Pinterest board and Spotify playlist I curated while writing the book, to get a sense of the mood and setting.

That’s all for now! I’ll keep everyone posted ❤️