Stirring Winds: The Natura Anthologies, #1

By Kelly Matsuura

'Stirring Winds' is an Asian Literature Anthology, centering on the theme of life changes and significant moments. It contains six stories ranging in length from 900 – 3000 words.

Two stories included have won prizes and have been previously published: The Wind Blew the Wrong Way (First Prize, Five Stop Story, Sep. 2011) and Ice Walls (Third Prize, Meridian Writing, Spring 2012).

'Three Ballerinas' and 'The Smell of Peaches' were both shortlisted in online writing contests (Meridian Writing and A Very Short Story). 'Sapporo Skies' and 'The Waiting World' were written exclusively for this collection.

'Three Ballerinas': Elise left Japan nine years ago, but still regrets the decisions she made then. She hopes that returning to Nagoya will set her heart free.

'Sapporo Skies': Masa and Hikari celebrate their anniversary every year with a hot-air balloon ride in Hokkaido. This year, a long-kept secret is revealed.

'The Smell of Peaches': Mayumi is a new mother recovering from childbirth. She prays her son will chase away the ghost haunting her dreams.

'Ice Walls': Two Russian ice-sculptors compete in the annual ice-sculpting competition in Harbin, China. Will Katinka and Aleksei finally overcome their rivalry and be friends?

'The Waiting World': From behind the veil between worlds, a man watches his beloved wife celebrate his birthday at Matsumoto Castle.

'The Wind Blew the Wrong Way': Junko is turning thirty and takes a day-trip to Kyoto. While visiting her favorite temple, she has a second chance with an old lover, but will fate bring them together or keep them apart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWWP Publishing
• Release date: Sep 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781386736622

Kelly Matsuura

Kelly Matsuura grew up in Victoria, Australia, but always dreamed she would live abroad.  She has lived in northern China, Michigan in the US, and over ten years in Nagoya, Japan, where she now lives permanently. Kelly has published numerous short stories online; in group anthologies; and in several self-published anthologies. Her stories have been published by Visibility Fiction, Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing, A Murder of Storytellers, and Ink and Locket Press. She majored in Asian Studies at university, and (sometimes) studies Japanese, Chinese and German. Her other hobbies include cooking, knitting, sewing, and traveling. As the creator and editor for The Insignia Series, Kelly uses her knowledge of Asian cultures to help other indie authors produce great diverse stories and to share the group's work with a new audience.

Book preview

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