Gora likes his quiet life on the edge of the mountain forest. So when a young noble girl appears out of nowhere and asks for his help, he's immediately suspicious about what she'd want his help with, of all people.

And it doesn't help that he's a little bitter about how she could even sneak up on him in the first place!

But there's a part of Gora that's just too curious not to go and see what she wants, and to find out more about the hidden tunnels behind that plum tree in the park.

Yoshiko takes her first steps toward rebuilding her shattered world—not with armies, but with a single ally.

Armed only with instinct and determination, she scours the town’s restaurants and saké houses for days, hunting the autumn-haired man whispered of by a shopkeeper. When she finally spots him, the real chase begins.

Can she convince him to join her cause?

And what does he see in a girl with nothing left but grit, grief, and a dangerous dream?

Yoshiko is on her own—and the road ahead is uncertain.

In the aftermath of devastating loss, she begins to plan her next steps. If she’s going to reclaim her domain, she’ll have to start from the bottom. Among the people. Quietly, carefully, and without support.

But a half-remembered conversation haunts her—something a shopkeeper once said about a foreign man who helps those in need. A stranger with no obligation to her.

And the question lingers: why would he help her at all?

This is Chapter 11 of Origin Curse, read by the author.

Some stories are written in long, sweeping hours. Others are built in the smallest slivers of time.

In this episode’s intro, I reflect a little on what it’s like to create as a parent, and how small moments—early mornings, nap breaks, even scattered thoughts jotted on your phone—can still shape something powerful. Creativity doesn’t have to be fast to be meaningful.

Then, we return to Origin Curse, and Chapter 10 takes us deep into grief, survival, and sacred ground.

Yoshiko has buried her mother. And now she must keep going. Alone, hunted, and with nowhere left to turn, she climbs the mountain in search of a place the soldiers won't find. But what she discovers isn’t just safety—it’s something older, and something that might just change the course of her journey.

In this chapter:

- The aftermath of loss
- A haunting, sacred shrine in the mountains
- A rare moment of connection and hope
- A return to kindness… with a devastating twist

The world is shifting. And Yoshiko is starting to understand just how far the betrayal goes.

🎧 Listen now—and if you're a fellow tired creator, know this: your small steps are enough.

Something’s wrong—and Yoshiko knows it.

In Chapter 9 of Origin Curse, we follow her as instinct turns to urgency, and urgency to devastation. There are signs: dogs, soldiers, broken branches... and something stranger still—white fire and a shimmering tear in the sky.

This is the turning point. A moment that changes everything.

And for the first time, Yoshiko sees what her mother has been up against—all while it may already be too late.

In the intro, I also share updates on my upcoming book Iron Angels—including how my developmental edit is going, what kind of character tweaks I’m working on, and what planning looks like when you’re a parent, a writer, and trying to make space for creative momentum in a full life.

In this episode:

• What a developmental editor really helps with
• Behind-the-scenes of publishing timelines as a working parent
• How small shifts in storytelling can deepen emotional payoff
• A pivotal moment in Yoshiko’s journey—where survival meets sorrow

Listen now, breathe deep, and come with me as we turn a corner in the story.

#FantasyAudiobook, #FromTheAuthorsChair, #OriginCurse, #IndieAuthorLife, #EpicFantasy, #CreativeProcess, #IronAngels, #SlowBuildBigStories

What makes a character feel real? In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, we chat about the little things that add up to big emotional depth in storytelling—like hobbies, quirks, and real-life flaws.

I talk about why your characters need lives before the plot starts, and how allergies, nervous habits, and sleepwalking belong in fantasy just as much as swords and spells do.

The reading today is Chapter 8 of Origin Curse—where Yoshiko works undercover on low-level supply duties while Asumi spies about the palace, all while watching her mother spiral into dangerous recklessness. For the first time, Yoshiko decides to step in—before it’s too late.

✨ In this episode:

• Why hobbies make characters more human
• What medieval IBS can teach us about fantasy realism
• A powerful turning point in Yoshiko’s journey
• The small cracks before everything changes

🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget: your characters deserve to feel real.

#FantasyAudiobook, #OriginCurse, #FromTheAuthorsChair, #WritingTips, #CharacterDevelopment, #CreativeLife, #EpicFantasy

In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, I talk about creative energy and when you write best—morning, night, or sneaky pockets of time in between? I share how switching from night writing to early mornings changed everything for me, and why giving your dreams your best energy first is a game-changer.

Today's chapter reading features Chapter 7 of Origin Curse—a big moment in the book, where we get the very first subtle glimpse of a second POV character who’s going to become very important later on. 👀

✨ In this episode:

• Writing routines: morning vs night
• Creative energy and owning your time
• A taste of what’s to come in the second POV arc
• A reminder that even small bursts of writing add up

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to follow the journey through Origin Curse and beyond.

#FromTheAuthorsChair, #FantasyAudiobook, #WritingTips, #CreativeLife, #OriginCurse, #IndieAuthorJourney, #EpicFantasy

Dragon-tier discipline, 3 am recording, and a big milestone—Chapter 6 is here!

In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, I share a major writing update—I've officially submitted the manuscript for my next novel Iron Angels to my developmental editor! 🎉 Plus, I talk about what it’s really like working with a dev editor and how it can transform your story.

Then we head straight on into Chapter 6 of Origin Curse, titled Training a Dragon—where Yoshiko faces brutal, elegant, and survival-optional training under the watchful eye of her mother, the daimyō Asumi.

This was a long chapter, so it took me two 3:15 am recording sessions to get it done (yes, really 😅). I also talk about finding typos mid-recording, debating future edits, and the strange magic of seeing how much your writing has grown since you first wrote a book.

✨ In this episode:

• Why dev edits are game-changers for writers
• Behind-the-scenes audiobook recording at 3 am
• The growth you don’t see until you read your old work aloud
• A sneak peek at what’s coming next (including one of my favourite characters ever!)

🎙️ Whether you’re a fantasy reader, a fellow writer, or just love hearing how books come to life—there’s something in here for you.

📚 Listen now & subscribe for weekly chapters, author life talk, and creative tips.

#FantasyAudiobook #IndieAuthor #NoblebrightFantasy #FromTheAuthorsChair #AudiobookPodcast #CreativeProcess #WritingTips #OriginCurse #IronAngels

Secrets in the dark. A cursed bloodline. And the moment Yoshiko's world begins to change forever...

In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, I share some exciting progress on my upcoming noblebright fantasy novel, Iron Angels—featuring Celyn, a former prison guard-turned royal guardian, who finds herself caught in the middle of a rebellion against the very people she’s sworn to protect. I'm deep in the self-editing stage right now, with a developmental edit set to begin in just a week—and I'm so excited about how it's all coming together!

Then, we dive into Chapter 5 of Origin Curse—a pivotal moment in Yoshiko’s journey. Led by her mother through hidden underground caverns, Yoshiko discovers the dark legacy of her bloodline—a family curse tied to the power they wield. One warning echoes louder than the rest:
Use your powers too much… and you may never be able to turn human again.

✨ For fans of:
🔹 Epic, character-driven fantasy
🔹 Secret powers & generational curses
🔹 Female-led stories with emotional weight and political intrigue
🔹 Audiobook podcasts by indie authors

🎙️ Subscribe for weekly chapters, behind-the-scenes writing talk, and the raw truth of indie author life.

🎧 Listen now and discover what lurks beneath the palace floor…

🔗 AND if Iron Angels sounds like your thing and you want to hear more, head on over to www.sarahkateishii.com and sign up for the mailing list to receive news straight to your inbox.

#FantasyAudiobook #NoblebrightFantasy #IndieAuthorPodcast #FromTheAuthorsChair #EpicFantasy #OriginCurse #WomenInFantasy #AudiobookSeries #IronAngels

🎧 Chapter 4: A Historical Place | Origin Curse Fantasy Audiobook
From the Author’s Chair Author Podcast – Episode 4

Escape, legend, and the edge of everything she knew...

Lady Yoshiko and her mother, the formidable daimyō Asumi, have reached the bridge—the final barrier between the palace walls and the freedom of the town beyond. But cursed waters, whispered legends, and watchful guards are only the beginning.

In this episode of From the Author’s Chair, we read Chapter 4 of Dynasty Codes: Origin Curse—a beautifully tense, emotional moment of escape and reckoning. With danger at every corner, Yoshiko must trust not only her mother’s plan but also her own strength as the world she knew begins to unravel beneath her feet.

✨ Fantasy Audiobook lovers, this chapter is rich with:
⚔️ Tension and palace intrigue
🌉 A heart-pounding nighttime escape
👁️ Myth, memory, and the shadow of rebellion

Plus, I’m recording this one from my blanket fort. Yes, seriously.
Why? Because reducing reverb is real—and also, it’s basically the dream of every bookish kid: reading fantasy from inside a blanket fort. 📚💫

🎙️ Author tip of the week: If you’re recording audio on a budget, don’t be afraid to get creative. A good blanket fort, closet setup, or pillow wall can do wonders for reducing echo and improving your sound—perfect for indie authors and DIY narrators!

So grab your hot drink of choice, pull up your headphones, and join me for another chapter of this epic fantasy adventure.

🎧 Listen now and step into the shadows with us...
📱 Subscribe & follow for weekly chapters + indie author insights
🔎 Keywords: fantasy audiobook, noblebright fantasy, female-led fantasy, Japanese-inspired fantasy, audiobook podcast, indie author, DIY audiobook, slowburn epic fantasy

www.sarahkateishii.com