Picture a Taiwanese-American storyteller who weaves myths, queer desire, and raw emotion into prose that hits like a lightning bolt—meet K-Ming Chang! Born in 1998, this literary phenom burst onto the scene with her debut novel, Bestiary, a magical realist tale that earned her a spot as a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree. Chang’s work, steeped in Taiwanese folklore and family secrets, has made her a vibrant voice in contemporary literature.
With a knack for blending the grotesque with the gorgeous, Chang explores identity, migration, and the body in ways that feel both ancient and fiercely modern. Her stories aren’t just read—they’re felt, like a pulse under the skin. Let’s dive into the world of K-Ming Chang, where tigers, snakes, and family legacies roam free.
The Making of K-Ming Chang
Born in California in 1998, K-Ming Chang grew up immersed in the oral storytelling traditions of her Taiwanese-American family. As a child, she penned a tale about a girl turning into a tiger, planting the seeds for her future novel, Bestiary. Chang’s love for words bloomed early, fueled by Taiwanese and Chinese mythology and her experiences as part of the diaspora. By her sophomore year of college, she was drafting Bestiary during summer break, drawing from family stories and Asian American history courses. Her raw talent landed her a book deal with One World while still an undergraduate—a literary Cinderella story!
K-Ming Chang’s Unforgettable Stories
Chang’s debut, Bestiary (2020), is a spellbinding novel about three generations of Taiwanese-American women haunted by their homeland’s myths. When Daughter grows a tiger tail after hearing the folktale of Hu Gu Po, a tiger spirit, she unravels family secrets through magical realism and visceral prose. Critics raved, with The New York Times calling it a “slow reckoning” with identity, and it was longlisted for the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize.
In 2022, Chang released Gods of Want, a short story collection that won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction. These tales pulse with surreal imagery, exploring Asian American women’s bodies, memories, and desires. Her 2021 micro-chapbook, Bone House, reimagines Wuthering Heights as a queer Taiwanese-American ghost story, while Organ Meats (2023) dives into female companionship with canine-tinged folklore. Chang’s style—lyrical, gritty, and unapologetically queer—marries folklore with the messy beauty of human connection.
Her prose dances between humor and horror, often using the body as a canvas for transformation. Whether it’s a tail sprouting overnight or snakes coiled in a belly, Chang’s work challenges tidy narratives of assimilation, centering instead on indigeneity and rebellion against colonial legacies.
Why K-Ming Chang Matters
K-Ming Chang is redefining the immigrant narrative, queering myths and giving voice to stories that defy mainstream expectations. Her work resonates with readers craving authentic, boundary-pushing tales about identity and belonging. As a Kundiman Fellow and Lambda Literary Award finalist, she’s paved the way for young, diverse writers, proving that folklore and family can be as revolutionary as they are intimate. Chang’s influence is only growing, with each book cementing her as a literary trailblazer.
About K-Ming Chang
- Born: 1998, California
- Key Works: Bestiary (2020), Gods of Want (2022), Bone House (2021), Organ Meats (2023)
- Awards: National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 (2020), Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction (2023)
- Fun Fact: She was the editor of The Offing magazine’s Micro department from 2021 to 2024.
Snag Bestiary or Gods of Want and dive into K-Ming Chang’s wild, mythical world—where every page feels like a secret whispered just for you!