Blog
Summer, Home, and a Digital Heart
Writing this from my childhood house, surrounded by the kind of unfiltered family closeness that makes everything else feel like performance. I’ve completed the rough edit of Omnichannel Hearts and decided to retreat here while the manuscript settles before final publication preparations. The irony isn’t lost on me: in the
Thank You
Yesterday’s presentation of Omnichannel Hearts at BooksEvents exceeded every expectation I’d quietly harbored. Fifteen engaged readers gathered at Library 16, and what began as a formal book presentation evolved into something far more meaningful – a genuine dialogue about identity, connection, and the spaces between cultures. The questions were thoughtful,
Moscow Tomorrow
Tomorrow marks something I’ve been anticipating for months – my first literary presentation in Russia. At 7 PM on June 30th, I’ll be at BooksEvents, one of Moscow’s most vibrant book clubs, presenting Omnichannel Hearts to Russian readers. The venue is Library 16 (Novospassky lane, 5, Taganskaya metro), and I
Receiving the Stein Arts Award
Receiving the Stein Arts Award from 50CA Asia feels profoundly meaningful, particularly given its namesake’s extraordinary legacy in nurturing artistic innovation. The recognition comes for my novel “Eastern Empire,” which explores themes of cultural intersection and identity formation across historical boundaries. Gertrude Stein’s Paris salon wasn’t just a gathering place—it
Chelsea in Bloom: Floral Revolution
Chelsea in Bloom transformed London’s most elegant neighborhood into an outdoor art gallery where flowers became a sculptural medium. Shop windows competed with increasingly elaborate botanical installations that challenged traditional gardening conventions. The world-class alternative floral show proved that flower arranging has evolved far beyond traditional bouquets. Designers used petals
Technology and Identity Memo
Second research memo finished for Lydia’s documentary. This one examines how technology shapes immigrant identity formation specifically. Social media maintaining homeland connections while physically distant. My Russian relatives see my London life through Instagram stories. I see their lives through VKontakte posts. Creates simultaneous presence in two places that previous
Omnichannel Hearts coming soon
The fourth novel is finally taking shape, and I’m thrilled to share that Omnichannel Hearts will arrive at the end of summer. This winter and spring have been spent traveling between megacities and home, gathering material that feels more relevant with each passing day. The research process has been fascinating.
Documentary Ethics
Long conversation with Lydia yesterday about ethical storytelling. Her documentary will feature real migrant writers. Whose voices get amplified? Who represents the community? Who has authority to speak? Same questions haunt my fiction about immigrant experience. Can I write characters from backgrounds adjacent to mine? Russian character writing Ukrainian experience
Narrative Architecture Session
Fifth or maybe sixth mentorship meeting with Lydia. Lost count. We’re analysing Omnichannel Hearts structure now. How digital formats affect storytelling rhythm. Her photo-art background reveals patterns I didn’t consciously design. Chat transcripts create staccato pacing. Quick back-and-forth exchanges generate urgency. Email threads build tension differently. Longer form, more deliberate,
