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Gao Zuojia

rank: 202

Last week's position: 198

first registered 21.01.12

last online 2 days ago

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about me

Gao Zuojia is the pen name of Patrick Hall who was born, and still lives, near Champaign, Illinois. He is a student of Asian literature, history and mythology and has a B.A. in English and Asian Studies. He speaks some Korean and Mandarin and has travelled in China. He began writing as a form of rehabilitation and relaxation after suffering a brain hemorrhage. His first novel, Kailai and the Dragon Prince, began as a bedtime story for his daughter.
The first volume of a planned multi-volume odyssey, Kailai and the Dragon Prince launches the adventure of a fourteen-year-old girl who has been thrust into the role of savior of her country. Set in ancient China, Kailai and the Dragon Prince combines elements of Asian and Western mythology in a tale of discovery and human perseverance. Excerpts from the manuscript won the Louise Murray Award for Children’s Literature in 2010. The sequel, currently titled The Witch of Tianshan Mountain, is being revised and will appear on www.authonomy.com as soon as it is ready.
Working from the assumption that false praise only impedes one by perpetuating bad writing, I give honest, constructive feedback.

favourite books

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Brothers Karamazov, East of Eden, The Voyage Out, Journey to the West, The Poisonwood Bible, Ceremony, Heart of Darkness, David Copperfield, The Bonesetter's Daughter, The Good Earth.

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my books

Kailai and the Dragon Prince

Gao Zuojia

When Kailai was small, she loved to listen to her grandfather’s stories about her country’s famous heroes. She never imagined she would become one.


In this Asian coming of age fantasy/adventure Kailai, a fourteen-year-old girl from a poor village near the Wudang Mountains, discovers she is heir to the Imperial throne of China. Kailai’s nemesis, the sorceress Daji, has enthralled the Emperor and murdered Kailai's mother in an attempt to usurp the throne. With the aid of the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea and Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, Kailai battles the Dowager Daji, the Imperial Guard, and the deadly zhayu in an attenpt to save China.

 

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latest

Maevesleibhin wrote 3 days ago

Dear Gai, I want to thank you for your continued support of Mrs Magi....

Zane Stumpo wrote 3 days ago

Thanks so much for the backing and kind comments. I have a terrible b....

Sharon.v.o. wrote 3 days ago

Thank you so much. I signed a deal with a publisher. Lykaia will be r....

Egon R. Tausch wrote 6 days ago

Dear Gao Zuojia, I have finally surrendered to the 99% of my reade....

jlbwye wrote 7 days ago

Thankyou so much Gao.

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my comments

latest

I wrote 3 days ago

There's nothing like a good ghost story/mystery. I couldn't keep myself from reading the chapters posted. I did notice that it needs a concerted proofreading, but it didn't prevent me from enjoying the story. As a former police officer I would make one point: it would be contrary to the standard ope... view book

I wrote 3 days ago

I turned to this book after seeing Mr. Stumpo's name on a friends blog. I am so glad that I did. Hilarious and well-written. The characters live and breathe. I hope this gets to the ED and hits the bookshelves eventually. Shelved and starred. Might I prevail upon you to read Kailai and the Dragon P... view book

I wrote 9 days ago

The short pitch grabbed my attention. I was intrigued by the concept and dove into the first chapter. While I understand the need to develope the scene and Jerusha's circumstances, the gap between the opening comment and the remainder of the dialogue was far too long and the story stalled. Jerusha... view book

I wrote 11 days ago

I like the premise and the storyline appears to be well thought out. Since Anne Rice, Stephen King, and the Twilight series, it has become more difficult to create an original vampire tale, but I feel you are on your way to achieving that goal. I must, however, concur with the critiques of Aidan2002... view book

I wrote 12 days ago

I like the beginning of this manuscript. The reader is immediately immersed in a dangerous mystery that grabs at one's emotions. I concur with an earlier reviewer who commented that an excess of descriptive prose inhibits what should be a fast paced tale. I would also add that you should limit the u... view book

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