Xia Xia Lake's Blog, page 3
September 28, 2020
The missing sex scene in Kogitsune
Yes, I did the unthinkable in Kogitsune. I wrote a sex scene with a fade to black. Mea culpa!
Kogitsune was supposed to be a short story submission for an online fantasy magazine. I had to follow the submission guidelines, which said “no descriptive sex scenes”. Boo!
After the magazine rejected the submission, I uploaded Kogitsune on my site, and focused on my next project. One week later, I started receiving requests from my friends to transform the blog post into a mobi file for an easier download. I cleaned it up a bit and uploaded it to Smashwords. That was the last edit the story received.
When I published Kogitsune, the reception from the blogosphere was harsh in the first months. Over 25 blogs rejected my request for review, and only one blog from Australia picked it up called On top Down Under Reviews. It was disappointing, but I had expected little, since I’m a white Romanian author writing Asian mythological retellings. Seriously, even I would react with a quizzical brow at seeing Kogitsune for the first time.
That was 2 years ago. Since then, Kogitsune had over 1000 downloads/website reads/ Amazon purchases and made an appearance in Book Riot. Shinigami (book 2 in the series) ended winning two Rainbow Awards. The support in the past years was both unexpected and overwhelming. Thanks to everyone who gave the series a chance!
Why am I writing this blog post? To let you know I started working on the missing sex scene and you will have access to it via On top Down Under Review blog.
The On top Down Under Review blog is celebrating its 8 Years Anniversary and Kokaji and Kogitsune will be there to help with the celebration.
I’m writing a short story from Kokaji’s POV which will be published on the blog on 23rd of October. The story starts from the moment Kokaji returns to the mountain to finish the Inari shrine. A special guest from Shinigami will also appear. *evil giggle* Those of you who have read Shinigami will know who that is. The rest might just be creeped out and confused. *2nd evil giggle*
If you want to read the short story, make sure you follow the On top Down Under Review blog’s social media accounts.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/On-Top-Down-...
Twitter: @ontopdownunder1
Website: https://ontopdownunderreviews.com/.
Cheers,
Xia
Kogitsune was supposed to be a short story submission for an online fantasy magazine. I had to follow the submission guidelines, which said “no descriptive sex scenes”. Boo!
After the magazine rejected the submission, I uploaded Kogitsune on my site, and focused on my next project. One week later, I started receiving requests from my friends to transform the blog post into a mobi file for an easier download. I cleaned it up a bit and uploaded it to Smashwords. That was the last edit the story received.
When I published Kogitsune, the reception from the blogosphere was harsh in the first months. Over 25 blogs rejected my request for review, and only one blog from Australia picked it up called On top Down Under Reviews. It was disappointing, but I had expected little, since I’m a white Romanian author writing Asian mythological retellings. Seriously, even I would react with a quizzical brow at seeing Kogitsune for the first time.
That was 2 years ago. Since then, Kogitsune had over 1000 downloads/website reads/ Amazon purchases and made an appearance in Book Riot. Shinigami (book 2 in the series) ended winning two Rainbow Awards. The support in the past years was both unexpected and overwhelming. Thanks to everyone who gave the series a chance!
Why am I writing this blog post? To let you know I started working on the missing sex scene and you will have access to it via On top Down Under Review blog.
The On top Down Under Review blog is celebrating its 8 Years Anniversary and Kokaji and Kogitsune will be there to help with the celebration.
I’m writing a short story from Kokaji’s POV which will be published on the blog on 23rd of October. The story starts from the moment Kokaji returns to the mountain to finish the Inari shrine. A special guest from Shinigami will also appear. *evil giggle* Those of you who have read Shinigami will know who that is. The rest might just be creeped out and confused. *2nd evil giggle*
If you want to read the short story, make sure you follow the On top Down Under Review blog’s social media accounts.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/On-Top-Down-...
Twitter: @ontopdownunder1
Website: https://ontopdownunderreviews.com/.
Cheers,
Xia
September 23, 2020
Prolificworks Books Are Magic Giveaway
Howdy!
In case anyone is interested, Shinigami will be free via Prolificworks between Sept 23rd and Oct 7th in the Books Are Magic Group Giveaway
https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/G...
Cheers,
Xia
In case anyone is interested, Shinigami will be free via Prolificworks between Sept 23rd and Oct 7th in the Books Are Magic Group Giveaway
https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/G...
Cheers,
Xia
July 19, 2020
What happens when I want to be lazy
So... I wasn't in the mood for anything productive this weekend like reading or writing. I just wanted to be lazy on the couch, watch anime, play my gardening app, and eat some crackers dipped in guacamole.
Then I got an idea to re-design my website, so my lazy plans went down the drain.
After 14 hrs spent in front of the Wordpress app, 90% of the site is just as I always wanted it to be.
You will now find on the website:
1. Kogitsune
2. The first 22 chapters from Shinigami
3. Starting from August, those who have supported me with 1 coffee via Ko-fi in the past year will get access to the password protected posts containing the draft chapters of the Moonlight Flower (Kurahona's story). This story will be published only after Shinigami 2 will be finalized (no idea when that will happen - sorry), but I'm writing it now since the inspiration muse struck me on the head, so I'm taking advantage of this.
https://xiaxiastorylake.com/takamagah...
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Xia
Then I got an idea to re-design my website, so my lazy plans went down the drain.
After 14 hrs spent in front of the Wordpress app, 90% of the site is just as I always wanted it to be.
You will now find on the website:
1. Kogitsune
2. The first 22 chapters from Shinigami
3. Starting from August, those who have supported me with 1 coffee via Ko-fi in the past year will get access to the password protected posts containing the draft chapters of the Moonlight Flower (Kurahona's story). This story will be published only after Shinigami 2 will be finalized (no idea when that will happen - sorry), but I'm writing it now since the inspiration muse struck me on the head, so I'm taking advantage of this.
https://xiaxiastorylake.com/takamagah...
Enjoy!
Cheers,
Xia
May 31, 2020
Shinigami, Il dio della morte #nuovauscita
SHINIGAMI, IL DIO DELLA MORTE (Cronache del Takamagahara Vol. 2) is LIVE! @AMAZON AND KOBO
May 21, 2020
Shinigami, Il dio della morte
Hello everyone,
Some important news to share.
One, Cristina and I are happy to let you know we have a date for the Italian translation of Shinigami, "Shinigami, Il dio della morte". The book will be available for purchase online as of 1st of June, 2020.
Two, there will be a giveaway announced together with the release. Follow my social media accounts and watch out for more details.
And three, "Shinigami, Il dio della morte" will have its own book cover. I have worked with two very talented artists, an illustrator and a book cover designer, to create an unique and beautiful cover.
Translation: Cristina Massaccesi | Cristina Massaccesi | https://www.cristinamassaccesi.com
Illustration: Kira L. Nguyen | https://deviantart.com/kiralng
Cover Design: Adrijana Cernic | https://www.adriaticacreation.com
Ciao!
Some important news to share.
One, Cristina and I are happy to let you know we have a date for the Italian translation of Shinigami, "Shinigami, Il dio della morte". The book will be available for purchase online as of 1st of June, 2020.
Two, there will be a giveaway announced together with the release. Follow my social media accounts and watch out for more details.
And three, "Shinigami, Il dio della morte" will have its own book cover. I have worked with two very talented artists, an illustrator and a book cover designer, to create an unique and beautiful cover.
Translation: Cristina Massaccesi | Cristina Massaccesi | https://www.cristinamassaccesi.com
Illustration: Kira L. Nguyen | https://deviantart.com/kiralng
Cover Design: Adrijana Cernic | https://www.adriaticacreation.com
Ciao!
March 21, 2020
Shinigami inspiration: Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu & Layered Storytelling
In this post I would like to talk about the inspiration that came from an anime called Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.
This anime taught me about storytelling, but most importantly, taught me about layered storytelling and "the story withing a story". It helped me understand how to shape a story around secrets that unravel slowly with each page. A story about love, art, and storytelling, the likes I have rarely experienced.
This anime taught me about storytelling, but most importantly, taught me about layered storytelling and "the story withing a story". It helped me understand how to shape a story around secrets that unravel slowly with each page. A story about love, art, and storytelling, the likes I have rarely experienced.
March 17, 2020
Shinigami freebie 17-18 March
https://www.amazon.com/Shinigami-Taka...
Hey friends,
I wanted to have Shinigami as a freebie during the Japanese celebration of Tanabata from 7th of July (because it's a celebration for star crossed lovers and fits Shinigami perfectly), but considering that many of my favorite authors are providing freebies of their books to help us go through quarantine/ social distancing, I thought maybe some of you might want to read Shinigami. So here you go, freebie on 17 and 18th of March @Amazon.
Hey friends,
I wanted to have Shinigami as a freebie during the Japanese celebration of Tanabata from 7th of July (because it's a celebration for star crossed lovers and fits Shinigami perfectly), but considering that many of my favorite authors are providing freebies of their books to help us go through quarantine/ social distancing, I thought maybe some of you might want to read Shinigami. So here you go, freebie on 17 and 18th of March @Amazon.
March 11, 2020
Shinigami inspiration: The Fujiwara Clan
Why was Shinigami built around the history of the Fujiwara clan? It all started with a ghost.
March 1, 2020
Hello, Spring!
I can't believe it's March. I also can't believe it's been six months since Shinigami was published.
January 8, 2020
Australia Emergency Donations to Help Wildlife
Update 19th January 2020:
Final total of donations received: 202 AUD. Thank you very much everyone! Your kindness is much appreciated! Just made my 202 AUD donation match. I'll be sending the original receipts for my match and my friend's match over email to all the donors.
Original 8th of January:
Hi everyone,
During the worst drought on record, catastrophic fires have ravaged Australia for months. Over 4.9 million hectares of land has been burnt and over 120 fires are still burning and surviving animals are facing dire food and water shortages and loss of habitat.
If you donate 2$ to WIRES and send the receipt to my email, I will send you back the ebook versions of Kogitsune and Shinigami for free.
Myself and a friend of mine will also match the total AUD value of all donations you will send me up to a maximum of 500 USD. That means if you donate 2 AUD, the final donation will be 6 AUD as my friend and I will match it, and you will also get the books for free.
Email: xiaxialake@gmail.com
WIRES donation details:
https://www.wires.org.au/blog/emergen...
Donations via Visa or Mastercard can be made on WIRES website using the forms below:
https://www.wires.org.au/donate/online
https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emerg...
For those wanting to use the Paypal Giving Fund: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/...
For those wanting to donate via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donate/13861...
Please be aware that donations thru PayPal and Facebook take anywhere from 15 to 90(!) days to reach the victims and the relief teams.
Final total of donations received: 202 AUD. Thank you very much everyone! Your kindness is much appreciated! Just made my 202 AUD donation match. I'll be sending the original receipts for my match and my friend's match over email to all the donors.
Original 8th of January:
Hi everyone,
During the worst drought on record, catastrophic fires have ravaged Australia for months. Over 4.9 million hectares of land has been burnt and over 120 fires are still burning and surviving animals are facing dire food and water shortages and loss of habitat.
If you donate 2$ to WIRES and send the receipt to my email, I will send you back the ebook versions of Kogitsune and Shinigami for free.
Myself and a friend of mine will also match the total AUD value of all donations you will send me up to a maximum of 500 USD. That means if you donate 2 AUD, the final donation will be 6 AUD as my friend and I will match it, and you will also get the books for free.
Email: xiaxialake@gmail.com
WIRES donation details:
https://www.wires.org.au/blog/emergen...
Donations via Visa or Mastercard can be made on WIRES website using the forms below:
https://www.wires.org.au/donate/online
https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emerg...
For those wanting to use the Paypal Giving Fund: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/...
For those wanting to donate via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donate/13861...
Please be aware that donations thru PayPal and Facebook take anywhere from 15 to 90(!) days to reach the victims and the relief teams.
