Born in Shanghai in October 2006, Daniel Ziyue Hou is an author and artist presently based in Southern California. In his youth, Daniel developed a voracious appetite for fiction, reading with great interest; however, it was only after experience as a beta reader—and later on, a manuscript editor—that he decided to create a work of his own. Though he often incorporates sci-fi conjecture and fantastical elements into humanistic critiques, his writing fails to confine itself to a single genre. Fittingly, his sources of inspiration vary drastically as well. He seeks to embody the grand scope of Robert Jordan's fantasy, the ethical turmoil of Liu Cixin's speculation, and the mercurial virtuosity of Kendrick Lamar's rhythmic verse. "DEZUN," his first published novel, was born from a similar storm: a desire to portray the grandiose beauty of nature's offerings, a research paper on Mars colonization, and an urge to voice the themes of alienation and societal martyrdom rife in melting-pot culture. In a certain sense, it is emblematic of his own experiences growing up in the United States. Having completed his first project, Daniel is looking to tackle a work on a grander scale, currently drafting a high fantasy in the tradition of "The Wheel of Time." Amongst other storytelling ambitions, he is putting together a comprehensive, fully-functional constructed language, one that builds off of conventions and groundwork laid in "DEZUN." While still undetermined, this WIP is projected for release in the latter months of 2024.