Lonely Castle in the Mirror

Mizuki Tsujimura lives in Tokyo and is a well-known author of bestselling mystery novels in Japan. Her groundbreaking novel Lonely Castle in the Mirror combines elements of Japanese fantasy with highly relevant themes of emotional well-being and friendship. It won the coveted Japan Booksellers' Award, voted by booksellers as the book they most like to sell, and became an instant #1 bestseller in Japan, selling over half a million copies. Tsujimura has also won the Naoki prize for her work. Rights have sold across the world.

As a petite, five-foot-tall half-Japanese actress who was mostly cast in Juliet-esque and sweet girl-next-door roles throughout her film and stage career, Sarah Skaer loves playing beyond her face value within her narrative work: silly and dynamic characters in children's stories, gossipy and cold-as-ice in chick lit, thoughtful and grounded in nonfiction. Her voice can be described as bright, youthful, and warm. Raised between the United States and Japan, Sarah can speak fluent conversational Japanese and possesses an authentic understanding of Asian culture. She is especially drawn toward voicing feel-good stories that inspire women, young people, and the Asian community to feel seen, loved, and empowered. As a forever student, Sarah loves all things self-development and has acquired numerous certifications in both yoga and Pilates throughout the decade of her teaching, and has led numerous trainings throughout the world.

Philip Gabriel is professor of Japanese literature in the Department of East Asian Studies, the University of Arizona. The author of Mad Wives and Island Dreams and Spirit Matters, Gabriel has translated many novels and short stories by the writer Haruki Murakami and other modern writers.