Welcome to Joy Ride, a monthly dose of joy, good things, creativity prompts, and gratitude by writer Jennifer Chen. If you like it, please share this newsletter with someone who might like it too.
Your Pep Talk 🙏🏼
Thank you all for the kind messages after my July newsletter. It truly meant a lot to hear from you.
Last week, in a support group, I mentioned that I felt like I was living with joy and pain side-by-side. One of our bottle baby foster kittens passed away in the middle of the night. A friend shared a cancer diagnosis. I got a pass on a dream project.
And yet, joy was living right there. Joy in snuggling Storm, our foster kitten, who survived. Joy in seeing the Polish translation of Artifacts of an Ex. Joy in seeing a Taylor Swift cover band with my kid and their friends and singing along to “Shake It Off.”
The reason I started this newsletter in August 2020 was to remember that joy exists within heartache. I spent most of 2020 and 2021 reporting on anti-Asian hate. It was important, but hard. I wanted to remember that even when the world feels upside down, there is beauty, good people, and love being shared.
On the anniversary of launching Joy Ride, I hope I have given you a place to go for joy, honesty, and compassion. You have given me hope in the storm. Thank you for joining me on this journey!
Gratitude Giveaway 🎁
Every year on the anniversary of launching this newsletter, I give away three $25 gift cards to subscribers for their favorite local indie bookstore. This year, I’m doing the same and adding another bonus! I have 30 personalized postcards to mail out to my subscribers. Fill out this Google form if you want to enter. I’ll reach out to winners by 8/22. PS. I will not use your info for anything other than this giveaway.
My Latest News 🎉
For Publishers Weekly, I wrote a loving tribute to the creator of Sweet Valley High who passed away recently. I spoke with six other young adult authors about how SVH influenced our creative lives.
Artifacts of an Ex comes out in Poland on August 28! It’s so fun to see the cover and the translated title as Memoirs of My Ex!
Check Out This... 🥰
VIDEO: Watch this Golden Retriever react to seeing kittens, which mirrors exactly how I feel.
ESSAY: My editor at the Washington Post, Jacob Brogan, wrote this touching essay about “how memorizing poetry can expand your life.”
TV SHOW: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO Max) consistently makes me laugh and has top-notch reporting and this new season is so good!
ORGANIZATION: In honor of Storm and Tiger, please consider donating some cans of wet food for kittens and cats at Stray Cat Alliance. Storm and Tiger came from my local shelter, but this LA organization is running low on food.
I'm Grateful For... 😻
Storm! When we picked up Storm and Tiger from the shelter to foster them, they were covered in fleas and were underweight. Tiger didn’t make it through the night, but his brother Storm did. I’m happy to say Storm is 4 weeks old now. He loves to eat, cuddle, purr, and he’s super curious. In honor of Tiger, my family and I are raising Storm through to his adoption age until he can have a forever home. Check out his tiny paws!
Another great newsletter, Jennifer! Thank you for sending it. It's so helpful to have something like this to life the spirits. You are incredible and I remain in awe of you!