Jorah Kai Author Interview

1. Introduce yourself; who are you, and what types of books do you write?

I’m Jorah Kai, a Canadian author, newspaper journalist, editor, English teacher, and self-described sand witch and existential detective. Ten years ago, I left Toronto for the dynamic, cyberpunk city of Chongqing, China. My simple yet busy life here allows me to be efficient and still find time to travel—I’ve been fortunate to explore much of Asia and Europe, as well as return to Canada, Mexico and the U.S. regularly. My writing spans genres, encompassing both nonfiction and novels that blend solar-punk, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I strive to craft stories that evoke both wonder and terror, with underlying themes of survival and the absurdity of life. My upcoming book, The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu, melds Hemingway's existential despair with Lovecraftian cosmic horror—a literary collision that I hope will resonate with fans of darker speculative fiction and literary horror.

2. What are your books about?

My books often explore themes of self-discovery, cultural intersections, and the impact of technology and nature on society. Amos the Amazing, for instance, is a solar-punk fantasy that takes a young boy on a magical journey through ancient and futuristic worlds to save his family. My latest project, The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu, blends historical and existential dread with cosmic horror, exploring the psychological toll of navigating chaotic, uncertain realities. It's like Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, but with eldritch nightmares lurking in the background.

3. What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?

I’ve always been driven by a fascination with both the mystical and the absurd. My first book, Kai’s Diary, was inspired by the chaotic early days of the COVID-19 pandemic—a Canadian in a Chinese lockdown, experiencing the initial stages of a pandemic before the rest of the world knew what was coming. I found myself writing to make sense of the uncertainty around me. I ended up doing a special blog for the national Canadian news agency CTV News, which was read by millions and then became a book, both in English and translated into Chinese. It was awarded, became a bestseller, and was named one of the top 10 foreign language books and one of the top 25 books overall in China for the year 2020. It started as a personal reflection and morphed into a public commentary on surviving a global crisis, highlighting both personal resilience and the broader societal implications of the pandemic.

4. What did you learn while writing your second book?

Writing Amos the Amazing taught me the importance of balance—between world-building and character development, between adventure and introspection, fantasy, fairy tales, and mythology. I spent several years world-building, filling up binders of material, and wrote several drafts before I settled on this version of the story. I also had the opportunity to teach the book as I was revising it at the college level, which gave me two classes of eager readers to engage with as I prepared to publish and refine it. So, I learned to pick an audience and focus on them. Fiction takes a lot more thought for me because I am creating worlds and figuring out voice, whereas when I write nonfiction, a lot of that is already established. I also learned how blending Eastern and Western storytelling traditions can create a unique and engaging narrative that resonates with readers across cultures.

5. What is the most rewarding part of being an author?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an author is hearing how my stories resonate with readers, particularly when they find personal meaning in the characters or themes. During Kai’s Diary (and the expanded nonfiction trilogy The Invisible War, Year of the Rat, and Aye of the Tiger, covering the three years I experienced lockdowns and chronicled the spread of the pandemic around the world), it was comforting to create ripples of agency and confidence during a time of unrest and worry. I also got to do an event with my childhood martial arts movie star hero, Jean-Claude Van Damme, which was kind of surreal. Mostly, knowing that something I’ve written has inspired, comforted, or even provoked deep thought is an incredible feeling. There is the old niggling thing too- what Shakespeare alluded to when he called you a summer’s day – that when we’re old and gone and dust, we will still live on, immortal, tattooed on the pages of dead trees. Our spirit. Writing is a kind of magic, isn’t it?

6. What elements do you think make for a good story?

A great story needs compelling characters, a strong narrative arc, and themes that provoke thought long after the final page. I also believe in the power of subtlety—allowing readers to discover meaning through implication, much like Hemingway’s iceberg theory. And, in my case, a dash of existential horror doesn’t hurt! Life hurts less when you laugh until you puke.

7. What is the hardest part of being an author for you?

The hardest part is finding the right balance between staying true to my vision and being open to feedback. Rewriting can be daunting, especially when it feels like a passage is almost there. But I’ve come to appreciate how much stronger a story becomes when you dig deeper, refining it through what I call my "Lucky 13" process, the creative, invisible shelf over my left shoulder where I get my ideas, tossing out the cliché ones until I get good quality original ones – usually about the 12th or 13th one I grab. Also it seems harder to sell a million dollar advance or movie deal than it used to be. Back in the time of Mary Shelly just finishing a new novel would make you talk of the town. It’s a lot of work. But I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

8. What is your current writing project?

Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu. It’s a cosmic horror reimagining of Hemingway’s classic, set to release April 1, 2025. It has been a fascinating project, blending existential themes with Lovecraftian terror, and I’m excited to share it with readers soon. After that I’ve got a new sci fi trilogy to start this year and then my publisher will tie me down and demand a promised sequel to my steampunk fairy tale Amos the Amazing.

9. What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I’ve ever received is to "write what you know"—but not in the literal sense. It means infusing your work with emotional truths and lived experiences, even in the most fantastical or horrific settings. Authenticity shines through, no matter the genre. Also, “don’t quit your day job” has been fairly practical. The best advice I could give a writer is be stubborn, determined and develop thick skin. Read "On Writing" by Stephen King and make sure you get enough rejection letters to rip a nail off the wall like he did before you give up.

10. Where can readers discover more about you and your books?

Readers can explore more of my work at https://jorahkai.com/

I’m also active on social media, especially BlueSky these days, where I share updates about my writing, life, and upcoming projects.

New Poetry book:

Sad Songs from an Old Goth in a Tree

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSRDGYV4

by Jorah Kai (Author)

New Novel (Preorder, releases April 1):

The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu Kindle Edition

https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Also-Rises-Cthulhu-ebook/dp/B0DMKTQPG5

by Ernest Hemingway (Author), Jorah Kai (Author)

Both are available in Ebook, Paperback and Hardcover, with Hardcover being the author's preferred edition.