Mini Very Asian Book Trip with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence, plus special guest Catherine Shen from CT Public Radio
Thursday, August 20
Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence are back on the road to visit CT indie bookstores for one day only to sign stock and celebrate Asian American books and independent bookstores, joined this year by CT public radio’s host of Where We Live and Where We Read, Cat Shen!
Preorder signed copies from these stores, and be sure to let them know you’d like them signed and to whom:
So thrilled to announce that I have a new middle grade illustrated series coming called Magic Shoyu Shop. You may know that I am a co-founder of Moromi Shoyu, a hand-crafted (by my husband) soy sauce company. So perhaps it’s not a huge surprise that this sparked a story idea and led to my first fantasy. I’m so thrilled to be working with Amulet/Abrams and beyond excited that Minako Tomigahara will be doing the art. She’s one of my favorite illustrators (see Tokyo Night Parade by J.P. Takahashi with art by Minako Tomigahara)! While I sold Magic Shoyu Shop in in June of 2025, it won’t be until sprig 2028 that the first book will publish. Seems like a long way away, but it will be worth the wait for the, I predict, awesome illustrations! I can’t await to introduce Chiyo and her friends to readers!
words by Debbi Michiko Florence and art by Inko Ai Takita, Reycraft November 2025
I am so thrilled that I got to partner with artist Inko Ai Takita for this picture biography. I am also happy she took the time to answer a few questions about this book.
Debbi Michiko Florence: How did you come to be an artist?
Inko Ai Takita: As long as I remember, I have always loved drawing since I was so small. So I would rather think that art chose me rather than chasing to be an artist.
DMF: What about this picture book manuscript interested you into wanting to do the art?
IAT: First of all, this encouraging story somewhat reminds me of my own path to be an artist. Secondly, Ultraman was my absolute favorite series, I used to watch a lot of them with my brother with excitement! I’m honoured to draw all Kaiju including the ones I used to watch on TV!
DMF: How did you come up with ideas for the art for the book? What is your process?
IAT: My process started reading out the manuscript like an actor, to synchronise with feeling in the story. Then researching a lot about Mark Nagata, his website, Instagram posts, and all his interview videos available. Many parts are imaginable with ideas I got but I tried his appearances through ages, clothing, his artworks to be accurate as possible.
DMF: What is your favorite spread and why?
IAT: My favorite is the 3rd spread with kaiju boxes and a child Mark holding 2 figurines by his cheeks. I loooved these classic box art, I enjoyed drawing so much.
DMF: What are you working on now?
IAT: I’m working on more book illustrations, Gaming art, and also giving some manga workshops for kids. All so enjoyable and rewarding.
About Inko Ai Takita:
Inko Takita, a distinguished manga artist from Kyoto, Japan, currently resides in the UK after honing her craft at Kyoto University of Art & Design and later at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design.
Her works have graced esteemed institutions such as the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, where she’s delivered manga workshops. Additionally, Takita’s collaborations with British artist David Blandy resulted in captivating projects like the manga posters for the London Underground’s Embankment station.
Her published manga collaborating with Scottish comic writer Séan Michael Wilson, including titles like “Manga Yokai stories” (Tuttle) and the award-winning “Portrait of Violence” (New International), have been critically acclaimed.
Furthermore, her illustrative contributions to the online theatre “Flight Paths” earned recognition at the Superfest Disability Film Festival 2021.
Pre-order campaign is for both hardcover and paperback editions, shipping rates apply.
All pre-orders will receive bookmark and one of three kaiju character cards, chosen at random.
For the drawing for a signed May Toy Co. kaiju, one entry per book. One winner will be drawn at random on November 10, 2025. US mailing addresses only.
HOORAY! Here are the fabulous bookstores where Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence will be stopping to sign stock. With the exception of the scheduled event at Inklings (see below), all times are estimates, dependent on traffic. While Grace and Debbi would love to see you at any of these stops, please know that since we are on a schedule we may not be able to linger. If you’d like personalized signed copies of our books, please order ahead of time and contact the store so we make sure to fulfill your request. Thank you! Here we goooooo…..!
Also, we will be raising funds for the Asian American Voices Cabin and Scholarships at the Highlights Foundation. For more info or to donate early: Asian American Voices Collective Fundraiser
Between October 5 – 12, we’ll stop by bookstores to sign stock and do limited events across the New England (and beyond) area. If you’d like us to stop by your bookstore, please sign up here. While only bookstores may sign up, you can share the sign-up link with your local bookstore. We hope to have a final schedule figured out by late summer. Hope to see you this fall!
I’m super excited for the upcoming release of book 1 of my new middle grade mystery series Last Chance Academy! A Study in Secrets will be available on March 11! Pre-orders let the publisher know that there is excitement for the book and can really help an author’s career. To that end, I’m offering some incentives for people who pre-order this book!
Pre-orders with US or Canada mailing addresses:
A Study in Secrets bookmark
A Last Chance Academy crest sticker
Signed bookplate
entry into virtual book club visit drawing (see below)
Pre-orders with US or Canada mailing addresses from Bank Square Books:
A Study in Secrets bookmark
A Last Chance Academy crest sticker
Personalized and signed copy
entry into virtual book club visit drawing (see below)
ALL pre-orders with a valid email address:
entry into a drawing for a free 45-min virtual book club visit with me to discuss Last Chance Academy 1: A Study in Secrets. I’ll reveal some behind-the-scenes stories and Easter eggs in the book. BONUS: I will read the first chapter of book 2! TWO WINNERS will be drawn at random the morning of March 11 and will be notified by email. Prize must be redeemed by the end of 2025 on a mutually agreed upon date and time. Audio/video recordings will not be permitted.
Please fill out this form with all required information, and upload your proof of purchase (receipt or screen shot of completed transaction) to receive swag and be entered into the drawing!
Want to avoid shipping fees? Pre-order from your local bookstore and pick up your copy!
Here are some indie bookstores that are promoting the campaign:
From Oct 3- 7th, Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence are dropping by these stores in NH, VT, CT, NY, and NJ to sign books! Check and see if we’re going to be at a store near you.
Order a book to be signed & personalized ahead of time and the store will hold it for you! Make sure to put special requests (like to whom you wish the book to be personalized, etc) in the checkout comments. Or, just call the store directly.
After that Grace and Debbi will be signing books at these stores! Please note that the following are not public events (hence the lack of a specific time), but if you happen to be at the store that day, perhaps you’ll see us drop by! If you do, say hello! And, remember if you want the book personalized make sure to order your book ahead of time!
Hooray! On September 26 the paperback edition of book 5, Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer will be available! I’m running a special national preorder campaign. Preorders help authors by showing early-on the publisher and bookstores that the book is generating interest. This can cause booksellers to order more copies to keep in stock which in turn helps the author!
If you preorder the paperback of Jasmine Toguchi Brave Explorer, I will send you goodies! Just fill out this form.
All entries submitted by September 25, 2023, will receive:
a personalized note addressed to whomever you want
a signed bookplate (signature only)
double-sided Jasmine Toguchi bookmark
entry into Grand-Prize drawing
The first 75 preorder entries will receive:
a Brave Explorer or glitter Mochi Queen Jasmine character sticker (chosen randomly)
art by Elizabet Vuković
Details:
* This giveaway is open to all preorders with a US mailing address.
* One entry per person. Entrants under 18 years old must have parental or guardian permission to enter.
* You will need to include a receipt/screenshot proof of purchase.
* If you preorder from Bank Square Books in CT, leave a note in the comments when checking out and I’ll personalize and sign the actual book instead of sending a bookplate.
* For the Grand Prize, ONE winner will be chosen at random on the morning of September 26.
Grand Prize:
Omamori (good luck charm) from Asakusa Kannon Temple (where Jasmine visits in the book)
Daruma wishing doll
a pair of chopsticks
Fred Just Fred plush flamingo
Newsletter subscribers get an extra entry into the Grand-Prize drawing. Subscribe here to my mailing list.
So thrilled to announce that I have a new middle grade illustrated series coming called Magic Shoyu Shop. You may know that I am a co-founder of 
