 Japanese themes and literature are a major influence on Derwin Mak's science fiction. His novel The Moon Under Her Feet is ostensibly about a Roman Catholic priest and scientist, but it shows several Japanese influences: the magical schoolgirl, people who sacrifice their personal wishes for the good of the community, and a chapter inspired by Asada Jiro's Naoki Award-winning story "Popoya" ("The Station Master"). His latest novel, The Shrine of the Siren Stone (Orchard House Press), is about an android in a French maid uniform and the otaku navy officer who loves her. It brings together themes of the Shinto and Buddhist religions, Japanese militarism, otaku culture, maid cafes, romance between misfits, and Mishima Yukio's novel Runaway Horses.
Derwin wrote articles about East Asian pop culture for RicePaper and Parsec magazines. He is co-editor with Eric Choi of The Dragon and the Stars (DAW Books), the first anthology of science fiction and fantasy written by ethnic Chinese authors outside China. His story "Transubstantiation" won the 2006 Prix Aurora Award for Best Short-Form Work in English. The Moon Under Her Feet was a finalist for a 2008 Prix Aurora Award.
Derwin is also vice-chairperson of the Royal Canadian Military Institute's (RCMI) library committee. At the RCMI, he gave a lecture about Japan's Yasukuni Shrine and Yushukan War Museum, based on his own visit and research at the notorious shrine.
He is also a long-time costumer and was the masquerade director at the first two Anime North conventions.
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