Clara Kumagai
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clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Clara Kumagai
@clarakiyoko.bsky.social
630 followers 260 following 150 posts
From Ireland, Japan and Canada
Author of CATFISH ROLLING🌊
SONGS FOR GHOSTS out 2025 👻
Writer and reader
she/her
Posts Replies Media Videos
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
SONGS FOR GHOSTS is out in the US today! 👻
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · Aug 12
Wishing a happy book birthday to @clarakiyoko.bsky.social and her newest novel, SONG FOR GHOSTS, available from Abrams Books today!

Clara is a former WNDB mentee (mentored by our very own Dhonielle Clayton!) and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate her new release 📚❤️

👻 bit.ly/SongsForGhosts
Graphic displaying a gradient of grey to black in the background. At the top of the graphic is white text that says, “Out Today” followed by a mock-up book cover for “Songs for Ghosts” by Clara Kumagai, a new young adult book published by Abrams Books. The cover illustration shows a haunting figure of a pale ghost dressed in traditional Japanese garb. Their head and torso are only visible from the nose down and there are hundreds of fine fly-away hairs protruding outwards like spiderwebs. Graphic displaying a gradient of grey to black in the background. Book description: This genre-bending YA novel follows a boy who finds a century-old diary written by a young woman in Nagasaki, Japan — and becomes haunted by her vengeful spirit. When Adam discovers a diary in his attic, he is enthralled by its account of a young woman's life in Nagasaki. A hundred years separate them, yet like Adam, she is caught between cultures, relationships, and heartbreak. She also writes of the ghosts that have begun to seek her out, which Adam dismisses as fantasy—until he begins to be haunted by her terrifying spirit. Unravelling the mystery of her identity—and the wrong done to her—seems to be the only way to save himself. This leads Adam to a home stay in Nagasaki, where he begins to reconnect to his heritage not only through Japanese language and culture, but also by connecting with long-lost family members. And then begins a race against time as Adam and his new crush, Jo, attempt to untangle a story that has rippled through generations . . .
August 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
rurooie.bsky.social
Please share this fundraiser far and wide; help us to raise much-needed funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians. If you have any questions, please do get in touch with the email on our website.
August 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I’m offering a signed and personalised copy of Songs for Ghosts and a ms critique as part of the Irish Kidlit for Palestine Fundraiser! Check out the items from brilliant writers and illustrators here: www.ruthennis.com/irish-kidlit...
August 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
unenthusiast.com
live action catbus looking pretty sweet
orange cat lying on floor with square lights reflected on his flank that resembles lit windows
August 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
popgoesthereader.bsky.social
🌟 Hey, YA readers! You won't want to miss these 40 exciting new young adult books being published in August 2025! 🌟
popgoesthereader.com/hot-off-the-...
#BookSky #YALit #KidLit
A compilation of ten book covers of ten young adult books being published in August 2025. Books featured include A Beautiful and Terrible Murder, This Place Kills Me, Starstrike, Lady Dragon, The Devil's In The Dancers, A Spell To Wake The Dead, Mistress of Bones, The Executioner's Three, Girls of Dark Divine and Woven From Clay.
July 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
I just finished my 48 hour fast as part of the collective Hunger Strike for Gaza.

I’m okay because there is food at hand for me to eat.

Within 48 hours of Sunday and Monday, about
-9 adults and 2 children have died of starvation in Gaza
-76 people were killed while seeking aid
July 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Myself and Dave are joining other writers across Ireland & UK and doing a 48 hour hunger strike for Gaza!

This is to raise urgent funds for The Sameer Project, to raise awareness of the engineered famine in Gaza, and to show solidarity with Palestinians who have been starved for months now.
July 28, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
oisinmcgann.bsky.social
Gaza is being starved by Israel. Aid is available but the Israelis are refusing to allow access to those who need it. Time is running out fast.

If you’re based in Ireland, please email your TD now to demand the government takes action to ensure the aid gets in.

action.uplift.ie/campaigns/ga...
Gaza needs food - not words
I just emailed my local TDs demanding the government does all it can to let food into Gaza. Will you do the same?
action.uplift.ie
July 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
SONGS FOR GHOSTS is out in two weeks in Canada and three weeks in the US! And here is a ✨starred✨ review from Kirkus to usher it across the Atlantic! 💙📚
Graphic with a background of the night sky with clouds and stars at the top. Below this reads ‘STARRED REVIEW’. On the left is an image of the US/Cdn cover of SONGS FOR GHOSTS. To the right is text that reads: “Kumagai’s sophomore novel is an exciting blend of paranormal, mystery, and romance elements. The past and present are entwined and parallel one another in this beautifully emotional story of love, betrayal, heartbreak, death, and family. A thrilling and creative story of growth.” - Kirkus Reviews Below is text which reads: Out in Canada Aug. 5th Out in the US Aug. 12th
July 22, 2025 at 4:33 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Currently reading: The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I. Lin 💙📚
Copy of The Dark Becomes Her by Judy I.Lin on a wooden table
July 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
unseenjapan.com
In the post, Yu says: "Japanese is my mother tongue. I was born & raised here. Do you hold the rights to the use of the Japanese language? Do I have to obtain your permission to use Japanese?"
July 20, 2025 at 8:35 AM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
unseenjapan.com
The surge in anti-immigrant sentiment in Japan has led to increasing online attacks against award-winning author Yu Miri (TOKYO UENO STATION). Attackers tell her not to write in Japanese and "go home."

Yu is Zainichi Korean, born in Japan. Japanese is her native language.
X post by Yu Miri. JP: 日本語は、私の母語です。 日本で生まれ育ちましたから。 あなたが、日本語の使用権をお持ちなのでしょうか？ あなたに、日本語を使う許諾をとらなければならないのでしょうか？
July 20, 2025 at 8:35 AM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Currently reading: Young Hag by Isabel Greenberg. Photo taken during that happy time when it wasn’t lashing rain
Copy of Young Hag by Isabel Greenberg among green grass that needs a mowing
July 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
childrensbooksireland.ie
Our latest selection of Recommended Irish Reads in partnership with Eason is now live!

Check out the selection here and let us know what you're going to read next below! ⬇️
childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/...
A graphic shows 15 colourful books covers. Draped over them in the top right corner is a series of flags in the Children's Books Ireland brand colours. In the bottom left corner is a sticker that says: Recommended by Children's Books Ireland
July 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Currently reading: The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
A copy of The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith on a dark wooden table. The cover is red with a dark silhouette of a man’s upper body. Within it is the figure of a man walking through a doorway.
July 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Not me welling up at these messages
weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social We Need Diverse Books @weneeddiversebooks.bsky.social · Jul 10
As part of WNDB's recent #MagicStoriesAreForEveryone initiative, we’ve launched a new resource on our website called Messages of Hope, where published authors who write for teens and kids can share their support and love for LGBTQIA+ youth 💙🤍🩷

🏳️‍🌈 bit.ly/WNDBMessagesO...
Pink, blue, and white graphic titled “Messages of Hope for Trans & Nonbinary Youth”. Beneath the title text is an image of a search bar containing the URL “bit.ly/WNDBMessagesOfHope” which will redirect to the relevant page on WNDB’s website.
July 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Currently reading: The One Hundred Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg
Copy of The One Hundred Nights of Hero by Isabel Greenberg on a wooden table. Cover illustration is two women reaching hands to each other and between them in the distance is a ship.
July 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
writersfest.bc.ca
The 2025 Vancouver Writers Fest Reading List is here! Browse 120+ books that will be featured at #VWF2025.

We can’t wait to hear from all these authors. From October 20–26, Granville Island transforms into Vancouver’s biggest book club. Start building your TBR pile:
writersfest.bc.ca/2025-books
June 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
Currently reading: The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King (out July 31st!) 📚💙
Copy of The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King on a wooden table
July 5, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
ukyaspotlight.bsky.social
Today's annual event interview: Nicola Garrard, S. J. Baker, and Méabh McDonnell

#UKYASpotlight #UKYA @sjbakerauthor.bsky.social @meabhmcdonnell.bsky.social @neemtreepress.bsky.social

ukyaspotlight.co.uk/2025/07/02/a...
Annual Event 2025: Nicola Garrard, S. J. Baker, and Méabh McDonnell
Interview with three UKYA authors
ukyaspotlight.co.uk
July 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by Clara Kumagai
clairemullaly.bsky.social
Ballymena Pride yesterday. The town showed up yesterday against hate in a massive way. This was one of the most important Prides these islands have ever has seen.
Ballymena Pride 2025 banner. Ballymena Pride 2025 banner. Ballymena Pride 2025 banner. Ballymena Pride 2025 banner.
June 29, 2025 at 7:35 AM
clarakiyoko.bsky.social
If you’re in Dublin then why not pop by the Holy Show launch party?
I’m DJing! Come and find out what I’ll play because after weeks of intense thought I still don’t know
Poster for Holy Show issue #07 launch 27 June 6-8pm MoLi Launching: Seán Hillen Reading: David McGovern DJ-ing: Nicole Flattery, Clara Kumagai, Jess Raymon, Eoin Rogers, Ishmael Claxton and more
June 27, 2025 at 11:33 AM