“For future reference, Harry, it is raspberry… although of course, if I were a Death Eater, I would have been sure to research my own jam preferences before impersonating myself.”
-Albus Dumbledore, the Half-Blood Prince
I's good at making faces.
The quick version: I am a writer of speculative YA and am represented by Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary Agency. Currently, I live on a beautiful island in Nagasaki prefecture, Japan, where I battle the forces of Engrish by teaching English to elementary- and middle school students. When I’m not teaching or writing, I bake too many cookies, take lots of photos, and gallivant at the beach. Find out more at katbrauer.com. Or read below. Yanno.
She writes: As of December, 2010, I have completed two romance novels (futuristic) and two YA (one fantasy, one sci-fi). I have three fabulous crit partners, am a member of a super generous crit group, and am represented by Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary Agency.
She reads: I like romance (of the futuristic, occasional fantasy (rarely paranormal), regency, other historical like China! varieties), young adult (dystopic, fantasy, sci-fi, some middle grade mysteries, and the occasional contemporary), and non-fiction political science, history, and science books. Some of my favorite authors of all time are: JK Rowling (of course), Tamora Pierce, Susan Grant, Neil Gaiman, Natsume Soseki, David McCullough, and the Brothers Grimm.
She bakes: Cookies and cakes and cheesecakes and cupcakes are obsessions of mine. My favorite cookies are called Holiday Poppyseed Cookies, and are butter cookies with poppyseeds thrown in for good measure, topped with a Hershey kiss. Best cheesecake I ever made was Tyler Florence’s Caramel Apple Cheesecake. I like making cupcakes with odd combination of flavors: Lime-Strawberry, Lavender-Raspberry, and Orange Creamsicle to name a few.
She takes photos: In college, I worked at Ritz Cameras. I own a Canon 30D that I’ve had for years and years, a variety of lenses, an external flash I can’t use because the flash shoe on my 30D is bent, and a lot of gumption.
She lives in Japan: I moved to Japan in August of 2008, right after graduating college at Gonzaga University. I teach English to elementary- and middle school students on a tiny island in Nagasaki prefecture via the JET Programme. I love my life, and usually love my job. I also love my kotatsu.
Have yet to get enough of me? Comment area below just not enough? I know. I have that issue all the time.
katbrauer.com | twitter | facebook | kat @ katbrauer.com
[...] bakes!” Cheesecake, no less… has anything ever topped Tyler Florence’s Caramel Apple Cheesecake? [...]
Hi, Kat. I just read your Critique for Water blog post and linked to it on my blog. Enjoyed reading your blog! So you’re in southern Japan? My sister-in-law is in Fukuoka – I don’t suppose that’s where you are? It’s such a small world, and you never know. ;D
Aw, thanks for the link on your blog!
I AM actually pretty near Fukuoka; it’s one of the easiest places for me to reach even though it takes several hours. Great city. Funny how small the world can be! What does your sister do?
Victoria! Hi!!!!!! *waves madly from NW Missouri*
Woops! Sorry, I didn’t see your reply. She teaches English and is mom to four kids, one of whom is in college now and one is here in the states.
Hi , Melinda! Small world again. I’m in Eastern Kansas just across the border from Missouri. LOL
[...] March 31st, my crit partner, the amazing Kat Brauer, will begin her 3-month campaign to RAISE MONEY FOR [...]
Hiya Kat!
I had my own adventure in my wilder days when I picked up a 3 month job in Seoul. I hopped over to Tokyo one weekend when I needed my visa renewed. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Well, I enjoy reading your blog! And I’m so excited about reading your book when it comes out–a romance in China! It’s like a dream come true.
Hey Kat,
I’m just wondering if you’re the girl that lead me around Tokyo with your fancy camera and lens one dazed night in Tokyo back in early August.
In fact I am! Long time
I thought so.
Hello David. Hope I can entertain you.
No bake cookies aren’t that hard–though they often involve beating a lot of egg whites which *is* difficult if you don’t have a blender. Trust me, I know.
Still have yet to bake. My microwave-oven is daunting me…
This is so random – I apologize – but, with no interest in doing anything substantive, like picking up a paintbrush or grading another summer diary, I got stuck on the ‘net, and, indirectly, found you.
I’m also a JET, working in a small town in Fukui-ken on Honshu.
As a not-so-young person trying to make a wild adventure of my time here, I’m currently just sitting in front of the ‘puter, watching George Carlin on youtube, and trying rather unsuccessfully to make no-bake cookies for the co-workers at my base school.
I really miss not having an oven (you’re quite right – baking is something not easily done at home, though I keep seeing baked goods everywhere I go – where are all the ovens?!).
My Japanese is almost non-existent, yet I applied for the Level 4 JLPT, which I took last year in the ‘states, and failed.
Anyway.
I just wanted to say ‘hello’ to a stranger today – mission accomplished!