mid-year scrambling, film&tv news, more chaos

It's been an absolutely packed first half of 2026 it seems, and I've been leaving my website and newsletter collecting dust for far too long... So below are some updates on what's already out, what's coming up, some events, and what I've been working on!

The film option for I AM AI had just been formally announced (on my 29th birthday too!!) in connection with my forthcoming collection with Shortwave in April 2027 (the cover reveal was also recently released, and I really love how Alan had included a part of I AM AI's original cover in it). You can read the full press release from VARIETY on the film option here. The original option was formally signed back in 2024, and the option had actually expired before it was renewed again earlier in January of this year. I'm crossing my fingers that this bodes well for whether or not the film actually ends up making it to the big screens in the future.

My debut novel, An Empire in the Clouds, is officially coming out on September 8th, and it's strange to think this will be my first full length novel out in the world! For those who haven't yet filled out the preorder campaign for the swag (with setting artwork by Peng Lu and character artwork by Huangren), you can do so here. For those who want to read the early ARC, you can fill out the form here. And for those in Toronto on September 6th who'd like to come out and celebrate with me for the launch of the chonky thing, you can grab a ticket here!

In 2027, I'll also have my first poetry collection with Bad Hand Books titled We In/Exhale Odysseys with cover art (below—official cover with text to come) by the amazing Eileen Kai Hing Kwan. You can preorder the collection here!

For those who haven't yet preordered the 3rd year anniversary edition with wonderful interior artwork by Martin Hargreaves, you can do so here! (The official release date has been delayed, but I believe it should be forthcoming in the fall)

There are a few forthcoming anthologies that I have stories in that y'all can check out if you're keen for themed collections and discovering new authors alongside known names in the industry:

​Martial Hero: A Limited-Edition Wuxia Fantasy Anthology​

​Revolution in the Heart: Stories Inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin​

​Unearthed: New horror of ancient ruins​

​The Big Bad Book of Kaiju: Seventeen city-smashing stories of giant monsters​

I also have a few works in magazines that y'all can check out for free!

"A Thousand Forbidden Weddings and a Song for Dead Darlings"—reprinted in The Dark Magazine​

"House Eater Roaming the Divine Garden"—Three-Lobed Burning Eye​

"The Carcass of the World"—Haven Spec Magazine​

For those who love contests, I'm guest judging for Uncharted Magazine for their CAMP SUMMER theme!

What I'm up to now:

I'm currently in the weeds drafting An Opera of Salamanders which will be forthcoming with Titan Books September 2027. How I'd describe it is Hell's Paradise x Dune and draws inspiration from the terracotta army. I think this is probably my most fast-paced and plotty book to date, or at least, it feels that way!

I'm hoping I'll get to work on my next horror book later this year. The fall will be filled with book promo things, but we shall see. I'll also be working on a romantic dark fantasy early next year. There will be some fun book news forthcoming, but until then...

Personal:

My dietary and sleeping habits have been subpar for the past few years I must say, partially because of stress and writing, partially because I just love junk food and sweets and have 0% sell control and will power when it comes to food unfortunately, but I've recently tried to shift to eating cleaner, juicing fruits and veggies instead of reaching for soft drinks whenever I can, and going to the gym and doing some more functional strength training and long distance running.

I spent a lot of my early twenties competing and training for badminton (on and off because of athletic mental stress and trying to balance it with everything else) but I've been thinking of perhaps training for Hyrox in the next few years. We shall see! It seems fun, and I feel like I'm the type of person who always need something competitive in nature, even if it brings me stress, to keep me motivated in maintaining my health.

And as I get older, it seems nature is trying to remind me more and more that I am in fact human because my writing habits (plus badminton wrist and finger strain) now requires me to get a brace while I work.

Anywho, I think that's all for now, and I hope the summer treats everyone reading this well! Do take care of yourselves, and don't forget to check in on your loved ones!