I went to the More Than Malice convention a few weeks ago and participated in something called “Author Speed Dating.” It’s a timed event, where you get one minute to pitch your book to attendees. Honestly, it may have been as nerve-wracking as actual speed dating! I’ve pitched before (see my previous post). That was only to literary agents one at time, though, not simultaneously to a whole slew of people. I think there were over a hundred, close to two hundred folks, listening to the … [Read more...]

Hello, all! I've enjoyed a lovely extended holiday overseas. I'm still battling jet lag, but I have enough energy to highlight some of the spots I visited. Taiwan I launched a sky lantern. There's space on the four sides of the lantern to draw pictures and write well wishes or dreams. I got a treat at breakfast. Look at these cute steamed buns! An amazing sight I visited was the Fire and Water Spring! I learned more about the history of indigenous peoples in … [Read more...]

5 stars Genre: Humorous crime fiction My Sister, the Serial Killer Pros: Funny; dark humorPlenty of great Nigerian referencesWildly original Cons: Entertaining; had me flipping the pagesUnusual ending that didn’t quite meet my expectationsSome loose ends left dangling, particularly regarding the backstory This book totally blew me away. It feels like poetry jumping off the pages.  First off, I loved the idea of the sister relationship as it involves murders. … [Read more...]

Jellyfish Salad: cold, marinated jellyfish appetizer The jellyfish (look for the white strands) is mixed in with shredded carrots and cucumbers. Jellyfish is often the centerpiece in a cold appetizer dish. Nestled next to sliced meats, you'll find long strands of milky white. Despite the similar appearance, jellyfish isn't noodle-soft. Instead, it has a slippery and chewy texture. On its own, jellyfish doesn't have any flavor. It takes on whatever sauce it's been marinated with; … [Read more...]

Loquat: oval-shaped fruit; also known as Chinese plum Recently, I've had the chance to savor home-grown loquats. These fruit are generally bright orange and soft to the touch when ripe. The flesh tastes sweet but also has some tang. It is definitely plum-like in texture. However, due to the huge seed inside each single fruit, you've got to eat a lot of them to feel satisfied. Thankfully, they grow in huge clusters. Loquats are a once-in-a-while treat for me. They've got a fair … [Read more...]