Picture a Singaporean storyteller who weaves magic, rebellion, and identity into worlds that feel both ancient and futuristic—meet Neon Yang! Formerly known as JY Yang, this queer, non-binary author has taken speculative fiction by storm with their 'silkpunk' Tensorate series, blending East Asian traditions with science fiction and fantasy. Their stories pulse with themes of gender, postcolonialism, and intersectional feminism, inviting readers into richly imagined realms where power and identity collide.
Yang’s work isn’t just storytelling—it’s a revolution in speculative fiction. With a voice that’s bold yet tender, they’ve carved a niche that resonates globally, earning accolades from Hugo to Lambda Literary Award nominations. Ready to dive into their world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this trailblazing author.
The Making of Neon Yang
Born in Singapore, Neon Yang’s journey to authorship was anything but conventional. Before becoming a literary star, they were a molecular biologist, journalist, and science communicator, bringing a scientist’s precision to their craft. Yang’s multicultural upbringing in Singapore, steeped in Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences, shaped their storytelling, infusing it with vibrant cultural tapestries. Their passion for speculative fiction bloomed early, inspired by cyberpunk pioneers like William Gibson, though Yang later forged their own path with silkpunk’s East Asian aesthetic.
After attending the prestigious Clarion West Writers Workshop in 2013 and earning an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in 2016, Yang transitioned to writing full-time. Their queer, non-binary identity and postcolonial feminist perspective became cornerstones of their work, challenging norms and redefining genre boundaries.
Neon Yang’s Unforgettable Stories
Yang’s Tensorate series, launched in 2017 with *The Black Tides of Heaven* and *The Red Threads of Fortune*, introduced readers to a silkpunk world where magic, called Slack, shapes reality. These novellas follow twins Akeha and Mokoya, children of a ruthless Protector, as they navigate rebellion and identity in a lush, Buddhist-inspired setting. *The Black Tides of Heaven* earned a spot on Time magazine’s '100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time,' praised for its 'epic sweep in compact, precise prose.' Its sibling, *The Red Threads of Fortune*, delves into trauma and prophecy, laying groundwork for the series’ emotional depth.
The series continued with *The Descent of Monsters* (2018), a gripping investigation into a research facility’s horrors, and *The Ascent to Godhood* (2019), a standalone tale of the Protector’s rise. Yang’s debut novel, *The Genesis of Misery* (2022), part of The Nullvoid Chronicles, reimagines Joan of Arc as a mecha space opera, earning starred reviews for its 'vibrant tour de force' exploration of faith and queerness. Yang’s silkpunk style—described by Ken Liu as drawing from East Asian antiquity—blends technology, mythology, and fluid gender systems, creating worlds where non-binary and queer identities thrive.
Their short fiction, published in venues like Uncanny Magazine and Lightspeed, further showcases their range, with stories like 'Waiting on a Bright Moon' and 'Circus Girl, the Hunter, and Mirror Boy' earning award nominations. Yang’s prose is lyrical yet sharp, weaving metaphors that linger, while their themes of race, class, and gender challenge readers to rethink societal norms.
Why Neon Yang Matters
Neon Yang’s impact on speculative fiction is profound. By centering queer, non-binary, and Asian perspectives, they’ve expanded the genre’s boundaries, offering representation that resonates with marginalized readers. Their Tensorate series, with its gender-fluid world where children choose their gender, challenges binary norms and celebrates bodily autonomy. Yang’s postcolonial lens critiques power and empire, making their stories both timely and timeless.
Their accolades—finalist nods for Hugo, Nebula, and Lambda Literary Awards—reflect their influence, while their silkpunk innovation has inspired a new wave of genre-blending authors. Yang’s work invites readers to imagine freer, more inclusive futures, cementing their legacy as a visionary storyteller.
- Born: Singapore, exact date unavailable
- Key Works: Tensorate series, *The Genesis of Misery*
- Awards: Finalist for Hugo, Nebula, Lambda Literary, and more
Snag *The Black Tides of Heaven* and dive into Neon Yang’s joyous, wild silkpunk adventure—your bookshelf will thank you!