Martial Hero: A Limited-Edition Wuxia Fantasy Anthology

Standard Hardcover & Paperback Proofs have arrived!
27 days ago – Thu, Oct 15, 2026 at 11:14:38 PM

I started placing dropship orders with Ingram for the standard hardcovers today. I will ship your vellum separately.

Eagle eyes might spot the new addition to the covers.

Yes, that's a blurb from Will Wight! 

"The next time someone asks me what wuxia is all about, I'm going to send them this book." Will Wight, NYT Bestselling Author of Cradle series.

Backers, you made all this possible. Thank you so much.

We're worried you haven't been getting your digital rewards. We've asked customer support at Backer Kit to help us out with that. Please let us know if you haven't received the e-book. (The bookfunnel download link is in an earlier update.)

Additionally, the Wuxia essay I wrote had a lot of images so those are in the pdf in the digital files folder for you but I also posted one with fewer images (Substack has a size limit) for you to read here: https://juliavee.substack.com/p/so-you-want-more-wuxia-in-your-life

See you in the Jianghu,

Julia

Good news and weird news.
29 days ago – Tue, Oct 13, 2026 at 10:56:20 PM

The good news is that my Wuxia essay is done! It has been included in the digital downloads files at BackerKit and you should be receiving an email that it is available! I thought it would just be a short essay with some book recommendations. Welp, I read 70+ pages of other Wuxia essays, reviewed 3 translations (briefly) of Water Margin, and ended up writing 8 pages single-spaced for you. Please enjoy! 

The weird news is I received a batch of the special edition hardcovers from the UK printer. The cover and the interior artwork were stunningly gorgeous, just like the proof copy. But something a little wonky happened with the sprayed edges. See if you can spot it. 

For reasons I'm not clear on this wasn't an issue with the proof copy, the edges on these copies came out sort of wavy gravy, like a funhouse mirror. I submitted a support ticket last week. I trust the printer to make it right, but it may take a while. 

In the meantime, proof copies of the standard formats are on a UPS truck as you read this and there is a little surprise on the cover! Stay tuned.

Your Books Were Packed By Humans
about 1 month ago – Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 08:33:31 PM

And the vellum art was sliced by humans on a little paper cutter like this one. (Though it would have been cooler if we had used a fancy katana.)

STATUS: For everyone who filled out a survey by 8/8/26, we have mailed out copies of Martial Hero, deluxe paperback format to backers of just that reward tier (plus swag). If you have a bundle, we are hoping to group shipping of the bundled books if possible. If I can't get the deluxe hardcovers out by Dec. 1, I will start shipping your reward in parts.

The first batch of special edition hardcovers are estimated to arrive Oct. 14. We are cautiously optimistic after the gorgeous proof copy we got. Standard editions formats are in process presently and should be done late October.

Currently I am working off the list of all surveys received between 8/8 and 9/14. (Again shipping the deluxe paperbacks out first.)

We really appreciate everyone sharing their rewards on social media and bringing awareness to this book in particular and Wuxia in general. 

Deep in the Jianghu,

Julia

PS - for those of you who loved Stargate (I watched all 9 seasons of SG-1 faithfully, as well as most of Stargate Atlantis) I have to share this Kickstarter with you, which is ending in 48 hours! I have backed this and I hope we can help it get over the finish line because I am a giant Stargate fan.

The Special Edition Hardcover proof has arrived!!!
about 2 months ago – Tue, Sep 22, 2026 at 10:59:08 AM

and she's gorgeous.

Now that we have this proof copy we can finalize our files for the printer, Bookvault. This printer is in the UK and it took almost a month to get this copy. I expect to start receiving batch orders in early November. I think we are still on track to get backers their copies by Dec 1 but wanted to let folks know that postal issues may slow us down over the holidays and due to our US elections.  

Thank you again for backing Martial Hero and helping us make something so awesome,

Julia

100+ Backer Orders Fulfilled!
3 months ago – Wed, Aug 26, 2026 at 10:59:45 AM

Greetings, Heroes and Exalted Ones!

We've now fulfilled over 100 backers' orders, and we're chipping away at the rest! Julia is currently travelling, but fear not, she's passed on some books and supplies to me to continue the momentum (with the world's cutest supervisor to keep me on track)!

We thank you again, our dear Benefactors, for your support and your patience as we work through the many spreadsheets and QC everything for the smoothest delivery.

If you haven't filled out your BackerKit surveys yet, please do so in order to be queued for fulfilment and to receive your digital goodies!

Our BackerKit store is open for preorders and add-ons - please shop to your heart's content!

✨May our thoughts meet across a thousand miles.✨

-R. Ko

PS the 2 hardcover editions and the standard paperback are still requiring some time to prepare and confirm, but we're close!