central places coming soon!! (click for a pre-order surprise)

Well well well well well well well, it's finally time to get ULTRA EARNEST and mortifyingly direct: my debut novel, Central Places, is coming out January 31, and you can pre-order a signed/personalized copy through the wonderful Chinatown-based Yu and Me Books here! 

When I try to describe Central Places to people, I usually default to some self-effacing comment about how it's like a Hallmark holiday movie—you know, big city girl comes back to her small hometown—told through the perspective of a second-generation immigrant and Chinese-American. And that's true! (A very nice GoodReads person said it was like "If 'Tis A Damn Season' were a novel," which is the nicest, most succinct compliment anyone on the internet could make). 

(pov: i’m telling you about the book)

(pov: now i’m gazing imploringly at you but in a not obviously thirsty manner to see if you’d like to read it and/or have a personalized copy…)

Central Places the "midwest Asian-American experience" novel I wish I'd had growing up, if it's able to add even one tiny new dimension to our beautiful, burgeoning canon of Asian-America as reflected through our literature—or just provoke a sliver of recognition in anyone who's ever wondered I thought it was just me when it comes to high school crushes, or imperfect parents, or moving away from a place you thought you hated—then I will consider it the accomplishment of my life. 

More than anything, though, I'm just excited to share this less neat, much more complicated side of my life and myself with you. Like oh you thought I got PERSONAL last newsletter edition? Just wait. I feel like I'm about to show you a bruise. Maybe it will explain everything!!!! 

Anyway, books are quite expensive nowadays, and there are a bajillion authors to support., and you don't need me to explain how much pre-orders matter. I get it! You gotta do what you gotta do; I'm working on my librarian game so that Central Places can be as accessible as possible.  (Also if you’d like to snag the book from your own local bookstore, etc. here’s a link to to all that)

But if this newsletter has brought you any measure of joy, connection, or a good, ironic laugh, I truly think you'll like this book. And honestly? No one's support means more to me than yours—you who've stuck with me through all these years as I found my voice. I can't wait to hear what you think. 

Here's the special Yu and Me Books pre-order link, one more time, for luck!

xoxo