The Pink Eye Yaksha

Estimated release date: June 2, 2026.

Yaksha are creatures of Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In the West, most Yaksha are associated with Eastern Asian cultures due to the prominence of Japanese Manga and Anime, as well as Korean storytelling (K-pop Demon Hunter). Further in Chinese storytelling, you have tales of the Monkey King. Yaksha are known across all Asian countries and were often colonially referred to as witchcraft, shamanism, animism, and pagan rituals by colonialists. Interestingly, the West and Indigenous cultures share parallel forms in fairies, elves, and the Windigo.

"The Sri Lankan Yaksha are nature spirits whose presence is felt through sickness. To subdue these forces, people perform rituals that use loud drums, dance, and natural disinfectants and medicines (tulsi leaves, vinegar, limes, salt, tumeric, etc)."

Excerpt from explainer in The Eyes of Ess-Vaha.

The Pink Eye Yaksha

In early 2025, while A Lion's Head and A Lion's Pride were on submission, I met a promising illustrator at Comicon Toronto, Chris Ho (@algebutter). Visiting our quiet booth for the Writer's Community of York Region, he was the only person to ask why a children's author would have a book called "On Demonology and Witchcraft in Ceylon" as part of her display.