Picture a Malaysian-born storyteller who swapped martial arts kicks for epic fantasy quests—meet Tao Wong! Now a Canadian literary star, Wong has carved a niche in the GameLit and LitRPG subgenres, blending video game mechanics with gripping narratives. His System Apocalypse and A Thousand Li series have hooked readers worldwide, proving that a good story can level up any genre.
With a knack for crafting worlds where characters grow stronger through trials, Wong’s tales resonate with fans of action, philosophy, and immersive storytelling. Ready to dive into his journey from a self-published author to a speculative fiction sensation?
The Making of Tao Wong
Born in Malaysia, Tao Wong grew up with a love for anime, martial arts, and epic fantasy tales like Dragonlance and Isaac Asimov’s sci-fi classics. After moving to Canada, he settled in Toronto, where his passion for storytelling took root. Initially a reader and martial artist, Wong began writing in 2017, diving into self-publishing to share his unique voice. Inspired by Japanese light novels and Chinese xianxia webnovels, he blended these influences with his gaming enthusiasm, creating stories that feel like stepping into an RPG.
Tao Wong’s Unforgettable Stories
Wong’s breakout series, System Apocalypse, is a post-apocalyptic LitRPG saga where a mysterious system transforms Earth into a game-like world of monsters and quests. Its hero, John Lee, navigates a shattered civilization, leveling up while uncovering cosmic truths. The series, spanning twelve books, mixes gritty action with philosophical depth, earning praise for its immersive world-building.
In contrast, A Thousand Li explores xianxia fantasy, following Long Wu Ying, a peasant farmer turned cultivator, on a quest for immortality. This series, inspired by Chinese mythology, weaves martial arts, Daoist philosophy, and intricate politics across its twelve novels. Wong’s ability to balance action with introspection makes it a standout in progression fantasy.
Other gems include Adventures on Brad, a lighter LitRPG series about a healer’s dungeon-crawling journey, and Nameless Restaurant, a cozy cooking fantasy that swaps swords for spatulas. Wong’s writing shines through his accessible prose, diverse characters, and knack for making complex systems—whether game stats or cultivation ranks—feel intuitive and thrilling.
Why Tao Wong Matters
Tao Wong has redefined LitRPG and xianxia for Western audiences, blending Eastern and Western storytelling with a gamer’s flair. His self-published success, with over thirty books since 2017, showcases the power of indie publishing. Shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award in 2021 for A Thousand Li: The Second Sect, Wong’s global translations and audiobooks have built a loyal fanbase. His stories inspire readers to embrace growth, resilience, and the thrill of a well-earned level-up, making him a trailblazer in speculative fiction.
About Tao Wong
- Born in Malaysia, now based in Toronto, Canada.
- Key works: System Apocalypse, A Thousand Li, Adventures on Brad.
- Full-time author since 2019, member of SF Canada and SFWA.
- Shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award, 2021.
Ready to explore epic worlds where every choice feels like a quest? Snag System Apocalypse: Life in the North or A Thousand Li: The First Step and dive into Tao Wong’s thrilling GameLit adventures!