Ryka Aoki's Blog

Just letting everyone know! Please forgive the state of my web site. I have been writing my next novel–though I am super happy with it, the process has been more difficult than I expected.

In the meantime, this website has not been updated, and I am again, super sorry for that. I am trying to get everything working, but I need some technical assistance to make the updates–thank you so much for your patience!

In the meantime, please know that my contact links are working, and that you can still email me through this site (And thank you so much for all the wonderful letters and notes!)

Take care!
<3 Ryka

Happy New Year, Everyone!My writing life and rhythm is, like many things about me, perhaps questionable to many of those around me.

Folks will ask like, “What are you up to?”

And I’m like, “Working on my book.”

And they’re like, “Which one?”

And I’m like, “Same one.”

And they kind of go, “Oh, uh-huh,” and I can’t help but feel as if I’ve disappointed them somehow.

I’ve never been the most prolific writer. With this book, it’s been even less so—not just because I’m recovering from losing my mother, which I’ve discussed earlier, but also this book is doing a lot of things and I want to make sure that I get everything exactly where I want it to be.

After all, once the book is published, it’s much harder to make changes.

So, anyway, I’m working on my book. Same one.

But although there were times where it has been very difficult and grueling, it’s always better than not writing. I have always felt writing has always been a privilege and a blessing, and now writing is getting fun.

I’m in my first revision and I am getting excited about it. It is taking on a very happy shine and I am super excited to maybe even sharing a little of it next week.

Or less than a week, in Boston, where I will be the author Guest of Honor at Arisia 2024!

I have never before been a Guest of Honor of a Con before—I am not sure how one gets to be a Guest of Honor—but thank you, from the bottom of my heart to the Arisia Committee.

And thank you to everyone who has treated me so beautifully and wonderfully after my first science fiction novel, Light From Uncommon Stars, was published. Thanks to you, I have realized one of my most precious dreams.

I put everything into my writing. I have dreamed it, hated it, celebrated with it, failed at it, endured with it. When my life falls apart, I process and survive with it. When good things happen, I give thanks with it.

And now I get to be in Boston and at Arisia Con 2024 and be a Guest of Honor because of it.

“Guest of Honor,” rather than the “Guest to whom Honor is Given.” I think that is a distinct and important difference. A “mug of hot chocolate” brings warmth and sweetness to the taster, not the mug. A “house of worship” brings sanctuary and meaning to all who might enter.

And, as a guest of honor, I hope my presence brings honor to everyone at the Arisia 2024. I hope my presence honors the New England SF/F communities by showing how their reading across boundaries and preconceptions can make magic happen.

There was a time when no one like me would have been able to reach so many, or have her words welcomed by so many, or be inspired to write the best books of her life by so many.

I hope that my presence next week honors everyone who insists that our stories can touch each other. And that the world of fantasy and science fiction should welcome everyone—you, me, the person chopping broccoli.

I hope that Arisia 2024 helps bring a world where all of us, all of us get to speculate. Get to fantasize. Get to dream.

That would be so darned honorable, don’t you think?

I am so looking forward to visiting Boston and Arisia 2024. I cannot wait to say thank you to everybody—not just for recognizing my stories, but for continuing to create spaces where all of us might share.

If you see me bopping around the convention, say hello. Tell me about the cool book that I need to read or the amazing game I need to play. (Especially the awesome manga or anime that I should be aware of. Because I’m into that sort of thing.)

I’m going to be on panels, and we’ll be signing and talking about my work. but I also—and perhaps even more eagerly—I will be walking around the Con, visiting storytellers and artists and gamers and makers, talking to people, and learning from others and feel so darned inspired that I could just pinch myself.

Because I might be able to chat with you. And if so, the honor will all be mine.

Much love!!
Ryka

Hi Everyone!

Next week, I will be at UConn!

I was told last year that the UConn Reads selection for academic year 2022-2023 is Light From Uncommon Stars. 

I am beyond thrilled! I am very much looking forward to meeting folks, chatting about the worlds that we can imagine and even sharing thoughts on donuts and music.

When I first set out to write Light From Uncommon Stars, in some ways it was a message in a bottle. I did not know who would receive it–I wondered who might read my words and visit my worlds–then maybe recognize something of themselves, and maybe feel a little closer to their own goals and dreams.

That my work has reached so many readers is both humbling and gratifying.

Thank you.

Web site and Newsletter Update

I have not posted much over the past few months as I was recovering from my mother’s passing, and then finishing the first draft of the next novel.

Well, I just turned in the rough draft of my next book to my editor, the amazing Lindsey Hall–and I am super excited at how it turned out! But I am also soooooo happy to have finished it. Of course the real work is ahead, but a girl can feel a sense of accomplishment, can’t she?

Anyway, now that we’re done with that, I hope to be posting more soon! I am cross-posting this on my web site, as well as my  newsletter Rykaworld! Thank you so much, everyone!

Much love,

Ryka

 

 

 

Oh wow! I had not realized that my website bio was so outdated (it does not even mention Light from Uncommon Stars. ) I’d gone through some very difficult family matters (losing my mother after an extended decline) and the bio update fell through the cracks. Eek!

Bios are not always the easiest thing to keep up–though perhaps it is a sign that one is alive when one is too busy going through things to write about them…

<3

Ryka

Hi Everyone!
Right now, I am taking a little morning break from my writing. I am thinking about how we can keep chatting and saying hello with each other.

My Bulletin page will be moving to Substack next year–that part is a done deal, and I will talk more about it over the next few weeks.

Facebook is Facebook, and I will also be using more Twitch next year. And Instagram continues to be super fun!!!!

Twitter is a little more up in the air. I love the immediacy of Twitter–and the short format makes it a lot less intimidating than a blog post (like this one)–let alone a full Bulletin (or Substack) article.

Also, I have reached so many people through Twitter, and made a bunch of friends, too.

However, as we all know, Twitter is in flux.

For now,  Twitter is remains there for readers to chat with me and vice versa (and THANK YOU!!!

However, I now have a Mastodon account, as well–please add me as a friend there if you can! If we can form a happy group there, too–it would be amazeballs.

Mastodon– @rykaryka@mastodon.social

I also have a Hive account, too, but I cannot quite figure how to link to it (definitely a disadvantage).

In any case breaktime is over! Back to writing!

Much love,
Ryka

 

 

Hi Everyone!

I will be reading and chatting on Dec. 10 with the amazing Kate Elliott. It is has been a difficult and heartbreaking year for me in so many ways, but also thrilling and wonderful in others. So,  I want to say mahalo nui loa to everyone. Please come if you can, and if cannot, please know how thankful I am, anyway!

Much love,

Ryka

 

 

Hi All,

I am so grateful to readers and folks who have written me about Light From Uncommon Stars and my other books. Usually, I respond as soon as I can because those messages make me so excited and happy and grateful

But it’s been a rough few weeks. My mother’s health had been fading.

And on Monday night, my mother passed away. I am so happy that she is finally at peace.

However, there is a lot to do, and I am kind of on autopilot right now, so I might not be able to respond as quickly as I would like. I thank you so much for your understanding.

Also, I’m not going to be able to read any manuscripts through the rest of the year, either. My apologies and gratitude for your understanding.

If something is book/publishing related and is very important, might you please contact my agent, Meredith Kaffel Simonoff?

Thank you.

 

Love,
Ryka

 

Hi All!

I haven’t chatted about my newsletter here. Rykaworld (link here and menu above) is a weekly blog/newsletter, where I chat about life as a writer and poet, or whatever else comes to my mind. This week, I’m chatting about getting ready from the Worldcon and Hugo Awards.

But sometimes, I’ll talk about non-writer things like Komodo Dragons and LA Traffic, Snoop Dogg and Sousaphones, Kevyn Aucoin and Supersymmetry, or TV dinners.

And, I am also serializing a very bad (hopefully in a funny way) novella about an insecure middle-aged dreadnaught named Nancy that came out of my time on the JoCo Cruise.

And this past spring, we even shared haiku!

In each post, I hope to share a connection to savor and celebrate. I hope that doing so can bring you a little inspiration, a little wonder.

Take good care!

Ryka

 

 

 

Hi All!

I just got my World Con schedule! I’ll be there throughout the convention. It is my first World Con, and I am super excited! So here are my panels and signings! <3

FRIDAY, SEPT 2 PANEL: Writing Books That May Be Burned Location: Michigan 3 Start Time: 1:00 PM

Panelists: K.A. Doore (m) she/they, K.G. Anderson she/they, Micaiah Johnson she/her, Ryka Aoki She/Her

Description: Today, writers face adversity beyond merely securing distribution and publicity. The existence of the work itself is subjected to challenges, ranging from legal issues to book burnings due to content that challenges mainstream views related to religion, gender, race, and marginalized groups. Join us for a kind and thoughtful discussion of how to bring your identity to your craft, and how to establish and maintain your career while doing so.

BOOK SIGNING!! (Buy a book, wait in line, say hello, and have me sign!) 2:30 PM Signing

Book Signing Area–books will be available from Larry Smith, Bookseller, and Dream Haven Books.

BOOK READING Location: Dusable Time: 7:30-7:50 PM (AND I CAN SIGN BOOKS HERE, TOO!)

 

**

SATURDAY, SEPT 3 PANEL: Queering the Love Interest: Writing Queer Romance in SpecFic Location: Roosevelt 3 Start Time: 11:30 AMPanelists: K.M. Szpara (m) he/his/himme, Alyx Dellamonica they/them, David Gerrold He/Him, Elle E. Ire she/her, Ryka Aoki She/Her

Description: The emotional core of a story often centers on relationships between characters, which means there will be queer relationships—and love. How does queer romance blossom in speculative worlds similarly to ours, or differently? What makes something three-dimensional and fleshed out as opposed to feeling token? What is the queer readership waiting for, and what have they had their fill of? Queer voices in publishing share their thoughts and experiences.

PANEL: Overcoming the Debut Challenge Location: Roosevelt 3 Start Time: 2:30 PM

Panelists: Kelly Robson (m) she/her, Elle E. Ire she/her, Ryka Aoki She/Her, Victor Manibo

Description: The publishing landscape has become a challenge even for the pros, leaving debut authors scrambling for useful scraps of advice to help them navigate the gauntlet of taking their book to market. This global panel of experienced and newly minted authors share practical career advice, tackling issues such as finding an agent, maintaining your authorial voice, avoiding publicity time sinks, and navigating the behemoth that is social media.

**

SUNDAY, SEPT 4The Hugo Award CeremonySunday 8:00 p.m.For Chicon 8, the Hugo Awards Ceremony will be held the evening of Sunday, September 4, 2022. The evening will be hosted by our amazing toastmasters Annalee Newitz and Charlie Jane Anders. It will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the  Hyatt Regency Chicago . All attendees are invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate the best of the genre that we love.

 

 

Hi Everyone!

I’ll be in San Diego this weekend chatting about Queer Speculative Fiction and other wonderful things with the amazing Foz Meadows!

Panel – Queer Speculative Fiction :

Start Time: 11:30 am

Arrival Time: 11:00 am

Panelists: Ryka Aoki LIGHT FROM UNCOMMON STARS and Foz Meadows A STRANGE AND STUBBORN ENDURANCE, moderated by Scott Paulson of UC San Diego Library

Admission is FREE, so please come join us!

“The San Diego Union-Tribune’s 6th Annual Festival of Books takes place on August 20 and the UC San Diego Library is excited to participate  alongside San Diego’s literary community.”

University of San Diego
5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA