We chat with author Sue Lynn Tan about her latest release Tales of the Celestial Kingdom, which is a new compilation of stories from before, during, and after the events in Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior, all from the perspectives of beloved characters and illustrated by Kelly Chong!
Hi, Sue Lynn! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, thank you for having me! I grew up in Malaysia, and currently live in Hong Kong with my family. When I have free time and am not writing — which is rare these days—I love being outdoors, whether running or hiking, and spending time with my family. My favorite stories to write are fantasy and romance, with a little angst . . . maybe, a fair amount of angst. When I’m writing, I drink a lot of tea and hide bars of dark chocolate in my study.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve loved writing and reading since I was a child – stories with magic, mythology, and wonder. I never imagined it would be possible for me to become an author as my family was quite traditional and there weren’t many options available to me then. Yet my love for writing never went away, and it was always at the back of my mind – a dream I would often come back to. It feels surreal to be able to share my stories now, and I’m thankful for everything that led me here.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: My father gave me a thick book with stories from around the world. I wish I still had it.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Circe, by Madeline Miller. One of my favorites.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Aside from the above, Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.
Tales of the Celestial Kingdom is a collection of stories expanding on your Celestial Kingdom duology and it’s out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Romantic. Magical. Eternal. Awakening. Trust. Love.
Oh no, I have six. I did try to take one out but started arguing with myself.
What can readers expect?
There are nine short stories in Tales of the Celestial Kingdom set before, during and after Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior – beautifully illustrated by Kelly Chong. While the duology was told solely from Xingyin’s perspective, here the stories are told in the voices of Liwei, Wenzhi, Shuxiao, Chang’e and Houyi. The final epilogue is the only story told from Xingyin’s point of view.
The first part of Tales can be read without reading the duology, however the second and third part will include spoilers to both books. I hope readers will enjoy returning to the Celestial Kingdom again, and gaining deeper insight into the characters’ thoughts, motivations, and their lives after the end of the duology.
Where did the inspiration for Tales of the Celestial Kingdom come from?
I’d written a few of the earlier stories and the epilogue but had no plan for them – it was my way of saying goodbye to the characters, of staying in their world a little longer. When my editors suggested an illustrated compilation of the stories, I was thrilled. While the initial idea was to use a single cover across the editions, we ended up with different ones in the US and UK – both of which are stunning, and I love them in different ways. It was very moving to hold the final copies, and to see Kelly’s beautiful artwork in print.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
The epilogue was my favorite part to write, and I got emotional at the end. I also had a lot of fun with Sun Moon Teahouse because of the complexity of the situation where one knows more than the other, and I loved going deeper into A Rival’s Spirit, as well as the early stories of Chang’e and Houyi. To be honest, I really enjoyed writing all of them because I found it fascinating to delve into each character’s mind.
The collection also features illustrations from Kelly Chong! Can you tell us a bit about the process of the illustrations coming to life and being featured?
Kelly is amazing and I love her art! Her illustrations for Tales of the Celestial Kingdom are beautiful and evocative, and the character portraits she drew for the page overlays are exquisite. David (my US editor) and I discussed the moments in the story to be illustrated, and I then provided a brief outline on the characters and descriptions. Even the first drafts of Kelly’s artwork were stunning, and it was incredible seeing certain moments brought to life, particularly in the beginning—those of the original myth—and at the very end.
What’s next for you?
I’ve been busy writing! I’m currently editing a standalone fantasy novel set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess but with different characters. This story can be read independently of the Celestial Kingdom books, without spoilers. I hope to share more soon! I’m also working on another book and am excited for when I can announce it.
For those interested in my updates, you can find me on Instagram @suelynntan.
Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?
So many, and I wish I had more time to read! The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo is wonderful, and I’m also excited for Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid, A Song of Six Realms by Judy I. Lin, A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang, and The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart.
