Ka-Yee Essoe (劉家宜)
fiction writer
books
Shazzwick of Land
Book 1 of the Unnamed Chronicles
War is metastasising. Born with a coveted magic, Magnolia wants her mother back and Shazzwick of Land has promised to help. Of an immortal race so rare that most scholars think mythical, Shazz is one with the land and creation rejoices in aiding him. For the first time, he has something to lose, for Magnolia alone has the magic to defeat the dark-elf sorceress-queen Jezzera who shattered Mags’s family—just to find Dayus of Land corrupted by Jezzera to drive her wars.
Can he keep his mortal love alive as she confronts the war-mongering sorceress-queen?
sequel
Book 2:
Cath of Land
When Time Becomes Relevant
(A 1,375-word flash fiction)
backstory
Creative Pursuit
Backstory
An admirer of Deuteronomy, kittens, and one specific Irish Whisky, I have been interested in cognition since childhood. I have never envisioned anything but a life in research and science.
Then, something beautiful augmented that vision. After the pandemic halted the urban-youth ministry in which I served, I wanted to continue serving in some way beyond my work, so I started writing novels that aim to bring hope and joy during difficult circumstances.
Since February 2021, I have completed two epic-fantasy novels by writing after work (+weekends, on public transit, etc) — just to find they are likely too long for any publisher. So, I am currently learning how to break 280k-word novels into trilogies while hunting for an agent who invests in developing writers wishing to glorify the Lord through their work. (Could that be you, Steve Laube?)
How do I try to bring joy and hope through my novels? Read more here and here.
words can heal
About Me +
It Matters
Representation Matters. Why? Because of the Bible — e.g., the theological concept of “imago dei,” or just look at Jesus’s bunch of misfit friends! Moreover, between my disabilities (delayed sleep phase disorder, dyslexia) and “undeserving” familial history, I know what it means to work twice as hard to excel (or even to “pass”), just to be deny opportunities. I want better for the next generation, and I will do my part.
What’s in a name?
I sometimes get questions about my name. Perhaps this is as good a place as any to explain.
Q: How do you say your name in those Chinese characters?
A: It is transliterated as Lau Ka Yee, but it is pronounced as “Laow [mesh the sounds into one syllable] Gaa Yee” in Cantonese, my first language.
Q: Are you called Joey because it sounds like Jei-Yee (家宜) in Mandarin?
A: No, my Mandarin is horrid. I like baby marsupials and I had the luxury to select an English name for myself.
Q: Can I call you Josephine?
A: Not if you want me to know you are addressing me, but it won’t offend me. I am very difficult to offend.
Q: Why do you have a Hungarian surname?
A: Cuz I love this guy.
funs
Fun beyond creative writing
For Work
See my academic research here.
Off Campus
Adventures at home and abroad.
For Food
One of my favourite things is cooking.
For Love
I am married to my favourite person in the world.
Ka-Yee Essoe, Ph.D. 