What did novelist Utsudo accomplish in 2021? In 2021, Utsudo’s 《封筆之作》 received a Ministry of Culture grant. She started livestreaming on Twitch, became an independent novelist VTuber, launched the “小說家鬱兔” YouTube channel, signed with Penana, licensed several works to Wenxuexing, released a sticker set, hosted creator tea parties and online critique events, and her Bahamut column passed 1,000 followers.

Translated from Utsudo’s original Chinese column.

Today is the last day of 2021, so let’s look back at all the “great deeds” I did this year.

Since it’s hard to reorder chapters, this goes here.

A Ministry of Culture grant, livestreaming and becoming a novelist VTuber

1. 《封筆之作》 received a Ministry of Culture grant

Research, reading and interviews—it really wasn’t easy.

But I’d barely written 20,000 characters when a publisher approached me

—and it was the one I’d always dreamed of!

Hard work pays off.

2. Started livestreaming (mainly on Twitch)

The first time someone donated, it felt magical and made me so happy w

Streaming also made me more willing to speak up and more confident.

That must be a bonus effect (~

I never imagined I’d dare to livestream!!!

Invite me to give talks or collaborate—my nonsense-talking skill is up to LV8 (X

3. Became an independent novelist VTuber (managed at a relaxed pace)

How on earth does a novelist become entertaining? It’s so hard!

But hiding behind an avatar feels pretty safe XD

I’m very happy looking at my 2D self w

Contracts, licensing and new works

4. Signed works with the Penana platform and ran events

We agreed on a September deadline, but because I was rewriting a project, I made them wait an extra month (covers face)

Delivered!

5. Created the “小說家鬱兔” (Novelist Utsudo) YouTube channel, focused on the fiction business and nurturing new writers

Young ones, Taiwan’s future is in your hands!

I’m very busy munching takoyaki on the support line ಠ∀ಠ

6. Signed three works with an agency in mainland China

Damn, I haven’t received a single cent—was I scammed?!!

7. Licensed 《哎呀、變成寶箱怪了！》, 《戀愛心理學》, 《帶刺薔薇》 and 《天使的贈禮》 to Gamania’s Wenxuexing, with cute-girl covers by the amazing illustrator 窗簾虎

The editors were so hyped. Everyone who treats the bunny to cake is a good person!

Worth wearing Lolita to their office and getting stared at all the way (?

8. Released the “Violent Bunny Attack” sticker set

And I got the format wrong on the watermelon-throwing sticker, so it’s super tiny w

System, you could’ve warned me щ(゜ロ゜щ)

9. My mobile game 《波嗲哆森林》, left alone for a year, got an update!

Okay, it’s updated. Time to wrap it up (X

10. Started learning about blockchain and wondering how far it can be combined with fiction

I want to release NFTs too~

But is it too violent for anyone to want? lol

Creator tea parties and online critique events

11. Hosted “Creator Tea Parties”

I wanted to keep it monthly, but it was too much… it’ll probably be irregular from now on.

Next up, Chuyun-sensei, please take your position (☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

Wait, last time I heard she hadn’t written a single word of her doujinshi…

Aren’t we at the same event? Right next to each other!

Ma’am, isn’t that deadline hole of yours a bit big?

12. Held a beta version of the “Online Critique Event”

I gave new writers direct advice on their work. Seeing so many heartfelt works really moved me.

I’d planned to make it a regular thing, but not that many people want to get roasted all the time (?), so it’ll be irregular.

The video has been edited~

But it’s still waiting to be scheduled XD

Here’s the full record from the event for now!

A column with 1,000+ followers and my first convention booth

13. My Bahamut column passed 1,000 followers

Probably thanks to the 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series

It’s been serialized for over two years and is past 100 chapters

Through it I’ve met many people who love creating. So satisfying~

I hope to meet even more creators this year~~ Come chat me up!!!!

14. Decided for the first time to self-print a book and run a booth—and it’s BL (though a clean one)

Here’s a sneaky little screenshot preview

Planned for the NTU event on 2022/2/12

But it involves gods, so I need to find time to go pray at a temple

That day I’m sharing a booth with Caocaoni-sensei

The whole row next to us is big-name creators. I’m scared.

If you have time, come visit me so I can pretend to be busy, please (X

15. Started working with a video editor

Though he often messes with me, boo hoo hoo. I’ve never seen an employer with so little dignity щ(゜ロ゜щ)

Respect my height!!!

2021 in review: a wonderful year lived through anxiety

I was anxious every single day,

not knowing where my novels or my future were headed.

All I knew was to desperately explore and search for a direction.

I always felt I hadn’t grown much,

still confused, still lost.

But looking back,

I realized I did so many things this year…

Can I be proud of that?

Wait, then why hasn’t my savings grown at all?

Did little elves carry my money away?! RRR——!!

Come to think of it, you look a lot like a little elf.

Anyway,

Happy New Year, everyone.

Please take care of me again next year (*´ω｀*)

Red envelopes please—(gets hand slapped)

FAQ

Further reading

• Previous: Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #112: How to Write a Pitch Proposal
• Start from the beginning: Hey! I Heard You’re a Writer on Ghost Island #01: Utsudo’s Debut — A Road to the Dream Covered in Frost
• Utsudo’s books

About the author

Utsudo is a Taiwanese light novelist and novelist VTuber with more than ten years in the industry and 40 commercially published print books. Her novel 《遺失的情書》 received a 2022 Ministry of Culture youth creative award. The 《嘿！聽說妳在鬼島當作家》 series records her experiences as a novelist in Taiwan.