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It’s going to be a short newsletter this week. Mostly because I started writing Ch10 again and now I don’t want to do anything else. (This is unfortunate because I have other things to write, too. Like a concert review for K-pop singer BIBI—the concert for which I’m attending tonight in Oakland!)
First, I want to thank you all for your support this past weekend! Thanks to your love, my second novel “Weightless” was the #1 AAPI Literature ebook for a few days. It also hit #3 in Women’s Literary Fiction and #33 in Contemporary Women’s Fiction!
Even though it was a free ebook promotion, I hope it will bring more eyes onto my work, and then it can translate to reviews and sales for my other books—both in and out of the series.
This brings me to a reminder that one of the most helpful things you can do for me and my writing is to rate and review my books if you’ve read them. It’s even great if you DON’T think my books are 4 or 5 stars, because no one finds all raving reviews of books to be believable.
As with last week, you will find the following in today’s newsletter (feel free to skip to those parts):
- Personal note
- What brought me joy this week!
- What challenged me
- What else?
- Support and love our community
- Tell me more
Personal note
I am in shambles today because I have not recovered from the lyric video they released last night of j-hope’s “Killin’ It Girl.” It literally is just him leaning against a wall in side profile, mouthing the lyrics, but it is obscene.
The angle was a choice! EVERYTHING WAS A CHOICE.
I AM NOT THEIR STRONGEST SOLDIER. I HAVE GRAVELY SINNED.
What brought me joy
I would again list that lyric video, but I don’t know if it was so much joy as distress and an unhealthy obsession with Adam’s apples.
The same goes for the Vanity Fair piece on Pedro Pascal. A good friend of mine stans him and thanks to her steady onslaught of propaganda, I am turning into one, too. In the article, director Spike Jonze comments on his appeal: “I think that he’s what we want in masculinity.”
Jonze is absolutely right. Pascal is talented, gentle, funny, progressive, engaging, personal, hot, and most of all: kind. These are the same reasons I love and stan BTS—because against all odds, they are seven men who are all of those traits, but most especially kind.
Speaking of Min Yoongi / SUGA of BTS, (ok ok we weren’t, but we were?), he donated $3.6 million to establish a special care facility to support autistic people. According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, The Min Yoon-gi Center “will provide language, psychiatric and behavioral support for young autistic individuals, along with therapy and various programs developed in collaboration with clinical research.”
He’s also been working with them since November of last year, and volunteering on weekends, playing music for the children. He even asked the parents and staff not to disclose his presence because he worried that it would cause disruption to the children and their families.
Men behaving well brings me joy. These men in specific bring me joy.
It brings me joy to remember that in my own life, I’m surrounded by men who are good and kind, too.
What challenged me
It’s amazing to me that a change in hormone levels can make such a difference. Like, again. Of course, I understood this on a theoretical level. But I have never felt that affected by my cycle or hormones—except when I was pregnant. And when pregnant, I was in that state for so long that I thought that’s just who I was. I couldn’t really see the pronounced difference in personality.
Which now has me worried, because my cycle is now shorter than it ever has been. Does this mean like half my life is going to be me in some hormone/ADHD-induced rage?
IT’S DONKEY BALLS IS WHAT IT IS.
What else
It’s here! It’s finally here!
My review of the Tabber/Miso/Rad Museum concert is up at Mochi Magazine.
Plus, if you haven’t had a chance yet to watch “K-pop Demon Hunters” on Netflix, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? It’s adorable. So fun. So funny. So Korean! And, the soundtrack is topping the Billboard charts right now—as it should. It’s better than 95% of K-pop right now.
I was also a guest on the Kpopcast podcast this weekend talking about the animated film, so please listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube.
Support and love our community
This week, I’m still amplifying the GoFundMe of one of my dearest friends. These last few years have seen her go through not only health issues of her own, but also losing her father and dealing with his hospice care and estate issues.
She’s in need of funds since her savings have been depleted, and of course, if you know of remote positions in either customer experience or content, please email me for her CV. I’ve worked with her in the past, and her work is stellar. Meticulous, creative, and spot-on for deliverables.
I know this world is going to hell in a handbasket, and there are so many folks in need. However, if you have room in your budget, I would appreciate any support you can provide my friend.
Thank you for helping support WOC and our networks.
Tell me more
I feel like I’m always thanking you, dear reader. But I truly am so grateful that there are people who read my writing, listen to my stories, and welcome me into their hearts. Thank you.
If I can ever be that for you, please do not hesitate to reply to this email, DM me on socials, or send a carrier pigeon. Let’s be good supports to one another.
May you have a week full of chaotic joy!
