Sci-fi books I’m excited for in 2026
Including but not limited to, in release order: The Celestial Seas by T. A. Chan Releasing: 31 March 2026, Viking Books for Young Readers A YA Moby Dick retelling in space. A tale of identity, love, and the hunt for vengeance in the darkest corners of space—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and Aurora Rising! (yes, there are…
Saying “No” – a reflection
Lately, I’ve been saying “no” a lot. And if you’re looking for a post that will tell you how amazing and empowering that feels—this is not it. Saying no often feels terrible. It makes my stomach ache, makes me want to curl in on myself and throw up. Saying no means facing the fear of…
I went to Halsey’s concert & brought back author lessons
I feel extremely fortunate to be able to attend live music shows, as it’s one of the few things that breaks through my anhedonia. I’m usually a rock’n’roll girly, but you can’t convince me Halsey ain’t a rock star, and she’s probably one of the best contemporary lyricists, imho. Last night, I attended her anniversary…
Book signing at Books@Stones
I’m really looking forward to hanging out at Brisbane indie bookstore Books@Stones this Saturday! I’ll have copies of Galaxy Grifter and free stickers! So, stop by for a chat 10am onwards.
Book 2 Update, Writers Summit, Space Heist Book Recs
Happy September! Oof, it’s been a while since I’ve done an update, but… I’ve been a bit busy. I finished book 2! The sequel to Galaxy Grifter is now with my publisher! It is the second book in the Blackjack Interstellar series and will be published in Summer 2026 (northern hemisphere). Getting it done is…
K-Pop: Culture and Authenticity
I finally watched K-pop Demon Hunters (twice this week actually, with the little human singing along to every song). It’s a fun film with great bangers. Rumi’s story is relatable for someone forced to mask their neurodivergence for most their life (me). And it also reminded me of an essay I did at uni about…
Ozzy Osbourne Lyrics As Writing Advice
When I was a student, one of my best friends had a situation with her accommodation, so she moved in with me, into the shoebox apartment I was flatting in. We slept in my single bed for weeks. Each morning, her alarm would play I Just Want You by Ozzy Osbourne, and every morning, she…
Six Sci-Fi Books With Disability Rep
As some of you may know, I’m neurodivergent with autoimmune chronic illnesses and I think science fiction—a genre that is meant to be forward-looking—could really shine with disability representation, and explore how things like accessibility and ethics are handled in worlds with advanced science. Yet it feels like it seldom does. And by representation, I…
CREATIVITY THRIVES ON RECOGNITION
A version of this text originally appeared in my Newsletter which you can subscribe to here via this link. I don’t know how to say it without coming across as narcissistic but I’ve enjoyed the attention Galaxy Grifter got in it’s opening weeks, including the mentions in trade publication lists, interview requests, Amazon best seller…
Why Gritty Space Opera is Today’s Ultimate Escape— The Daily Nerd Guest Post
Let’s face it, most of us need an escape from reality from time to time. Whether we’re fatigued by the state of the world or personal problems, sitting down with a good book (or film) can feel like a well-deserved holiday for a tired mind. I’m definitely no exception. Science fiction and fantasy books have…
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A. ZAYKOVA 