Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately I'm no longer able to answer the lovely emails I receive from everybody, but here are some of the most-asked questions, and the answers. I do read all the emails, they make my day.
When is the next one coming out?
Ah, The Question. That’s going to be the title of my autobiography. So many people ask me this at signings that when Marianne de Pierres and I meet up for joint signings, she says ‘Hi Kylie, how are you, and when’s the next one coming out?’ So here's the schedule:
Australia/New Zealand (Published by Voyager):
Currently in Bookstores, just go and ask for them:
Dark Heavens
1. White Tiger
2. Red Phoenix
3. Blue Dragon
Journey to Wudang
1. Earth to Hell (Continues straight from Blue Dragon)
2. Hell to Heaven
The next instalment, ‘Heaven to Wudang’, will be released first quarter of next year.
The prequel, ‘Small Shen’, which will be a joint project with Queenie Chan who will turn some of it into a graphic novel, has been delayed.
Rest of the World:
I was to be published in the US and UK by Angry Robot books.
Angry Robot separated from Harper-Collins, and as part of the deal Harper-Collins didn't let them keep me, which in a way is extremely flattering. To head off any emails asking why I did this: I had absolutely no input on any of this process.
I'll update here when I have details of exactly what Harper are planning to do with the books in the UK and US. As far as I know, I"l be published in the UK and Europe by Voyager UK but I've yet to receive confirmation.
I believe that EOS in the US are looking at the series, but again I haven't heard anything.
How can I get a signed copy?
You can attend a signing (I list the schedule for signings on my news site) or you can send a postage paid self-addressed envelope and any books you want signed to:
Kylie Chan
PO Box 865
Sumner Park Qld 4074
If you don’t include a postage paid return envelope, I’m sorry, but you won’t get them back.
This works overseas as well, I don’t mind sending them provided you arrange for the postage.
If you want them back in a short or limited time frame, email me and let me know, I'll make a special trip to the post office. I only check the PO Box about once a month, it's a good distance from where I live.
Please do not send me gifts; I appreciate the thought, I really do, but the greatest gift you can give me is to recommend my books to others.
Can you come to my town for a signing?
I would love to, I really would, but both my time and budget are limited. I pay for my own travel, and believe it or not, being a moderately successful author does not equate to being wealthy.
I’ll try to make another signing tour when book six ‘Heaven to Wudang’ comes out, and I’ll be at a few cons during the year. I'll keep the 'News' part of the site updated with appearances.
If you really want me to come visit you, you can talk to my publicity manager, Fiona McPherson, on this address.
Conventions: I go to most of the conventions I'm asked to attend, and I don't charge an appearance fee. If you want me to be invited to a con, how about emailing the organizers and telling them you'd like to see me there?
How many books are there in the series? Are they all about the same characters?
First Trilogy: ‘Dark Heavens’:
‘White Tiger’
‘Red Phoenix’
‘Blue Dragon’
Second Trilogy: ‘Journey to Wudang’ – follows on eight years after the end of ‘Blue Dragon’ and is the same characters.
‘Earth to Hell’
‘Hell to Heaven’
‘Heaven to Wudang’
Third Trilogy: I don’t even have a working title yet. It’ll be the continuation of the story, though, with all the same characters.
Prequel: ‘Small Shen’ which will be Gold’s story, starting about 1550 and finishing just before the start of ‘White Tiger’.
Where can I buy the books?
Australia/New Zealand: You can buy the books at any local book store, just ask for them.
There's a Kindle e-book edition of the first three stories available through Amazon.
Rest of the World: I'll let you know when I have more information.
I receive quite a lot of email from people asking when the books will be out in the UK/US. If you want to hurry them along, Voyager UK are the ones who have the rights in the UK; and Eos in the US have yet to make a decision.
What is Emma?
Oh, come on. You think I’m going to tell you that when I have you buying the books and reading them to find this out?
Are the gods the real ones from Chinese mythology?
Absolutely. All of the gods are depicted exactly as they are in the mythological canon. I have been very careful to ensure that they are as close as possible to the Chinese scriptures. I have added some personality quirks to make them more interesting to a modern reader, and please forgive my imaginative enhancements.
Can you give me further information about the mythology?
There’s a full book list and glossary at the end of each book, including links to websites for further information.
What do the Chinese characters on the book covers say?
On the Voyager (Australian) covers of first trilogy, they say ‘Dark Heavens, Book One/Two/Three’ and the title of the book. On the second trilogy, they’re just the title of the book in Chinese.
Why don’t you make the books into a movie?
Because I don’t make movies, I write books. Hold on, let me check my desk drawers here – nope, no movie production houses under the paper clips. If a movie production house approached me wanting movie rights I would be happy to negotiate, but so far that hasn’t happened. You wouldn’t happen to have a big Hollywood-type movie production house sitting around behind the sofa, would you?
Can you read my manuscript/novel/script/comic?
I am so sorry. No. I don’t have time and it would do nothing to further your career as a writer. I’d just be mean to you and tell you that it’s awful, and there’s plenty of writers groups out there who will do it for you much more kindly than I will.
I want to get a tattoo of one of the graphics used in the novels. Can I do this, and where can I find good copies of the images?
I cannot believe this is a frequently asked question!
Yes, you can use the images for bodyart provided your use of them is not commercial - you're not allowed to use them on stuff to be sold. If you want good copies of the images, send an email to me using the contact form, and I'll email them to you.
What are you going to do when you’ve finished this series? Are you going to write stories based on another mythology?
Beach sounds good. A nice, white, relaxing, sandy beach, some waves, cool ocean breeze – yeah. That sounds pretty good.