Elaine Hsieh Chou
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
Author of WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM: STORIES (2025) and DISORIENTATION (2022) from Penguin Press | she/her
www.elainehsiehchou.com
www.elainehsiehchou.com
Pinned
WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM | Kirkus Reviews
A clutch of stories that starkly question assumptions about our identities.
www.kirkusreviews.com
WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews! ⭐
"Chou is gifted at storytelling with a surrealistic bent ... Sharp storytelling that bends and blurs genre expectations."
Out August 19 from @penguinpress.bsky.social
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
"Chou is gifted at storytelling with a surrealistic bent ... Sharp storytelling that bends and blurs genre expectations."
Out August 19 from @penguinpress.bsky.social
www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
Congratulations to our authors! 🎉🎉🎉
Check out the full list: time.com/collections/...
@sophiegilbert.bsky.social @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
Check out the full list: time.com/collections/...
@sophiegilbert.bsky.social @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Congratulations to our authors! 🎉🎉🎉
Check out the full list: time.com/collections/...
@sophiegilbert.bsky.social @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
Check out the full list: time.com/collections/...
@sophiegilbert.bsky.social @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
I'm doing a special giveaway over on Instagram! Includes a signed copy of WAYRF, hat, postcard and a tote bag I designed 💿 Open until 10/11! Learn how to enter here: www.instagram.com/p/DPZ57DrgYr0/
October 6, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I'm doing a special giveaway over on Instagram! Includes a signed copy of WAYRF, hat, postcard and a tote bag I designed 💿 Open until 10/11! Learn how to enter here: www.instagram.com/p/DPZ57DrgYr0/
Los Angeles: tomorrow with @dorinnek.bsky.social!
Wed Oct 1 @ 11 am: I'll be at USC in conversation with Dr. Dorinne Kondo, sponsored by @gssconsortium.bsky.social! Free & open to the public.
September 30, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Los Angeles: tomorrow with @dorinnek.bsky.social!
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
Please join me in conversation with writer Elaine Hsieh Chou about her latest short story collection, WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM, followed by an audience Q&A.
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
September 26, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Please join me in conversation with writer Elaine Hsieh Chou about her latest short story collection, WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM, followed by an audience Q&A.
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
Anyone in Las Vegas? 😊 Tonight with @tajjaisen.bsky.social!
Fri 9/26 @ 7 pm: The Writer's Block in Las Vegas, co-sponsored by Black Mountain Institute, with @tajjaisen.bsky.social!
September 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Anyone in Las Vegas? 😊 Tonight with @tajjaisen.bsky.social!
This is today!! RSVP for free to get the Zoom link 😊
Sharing some upcoming events ✨
Thur 9/25 @ 6 pm ET: A virtual @aaww-nyc.bsky.social event with @deliacai.bsky.social!
RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-in...
Thur 9/25 @ 6 pm ET: A virtual @aaww-nyc.bsky.social event with @deliacai.bsky.social!
RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-in...
September 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
This is today!! RSVP for free to get the Zoom link 😊
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
Finished reading WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM by @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social last night. These stories are hilarious, chilling, and heartbreaking, with characters that have vulnerabilities I can understand all too well, regardless of appeal. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671593...
Where Are You Really From by Elaine Hsieh Chou: 9780593298381 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
*A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF 2025 BY LITHUB, THE OC REGISTER, THE MILLIONS AND MORE * NAMED A BEST BOOK OF AUGUST 2025 BY PEOPLE MAGAZINE * NAMED A MUST-READ BOOK BY THE CHICAGO REVIEW OF BOOKS * THE S...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Finished reading WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM by @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social last night. These stories are hilarious, chilling, and heartbreaking, with characters that have vulnerabilities I can understand all too well, regardless of appeal. www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671593...
Sharing some upcoming events ✨
Thur 9/25 @ 6 pm ET: A virtual @aaww-nyc.bsky.social event with @deliacai.bsky.social!
RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-in...
Thur 9/25 @ 6 pm ET: A virtual @aaww-nyc.bsky.social event with @deliacai.bsky.social!
RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-in...
September 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Sharing some upcoming events ✨
Thur 9/25 @ 6 pm ET: A virtual @aaww-nyc.bsky.social event with @deliacai.bsky.social!
RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-in...
Thur 9/25 @ 6 pm ET: A virtual @aaww-nyc.bsky.social event with @deliacai.bsky.social!
RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-in...
Thank you so much for having me, Brad!
Today on the program, my guest is @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social, author of the debut story collection WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM, available from @penguinpress.bsky.social.
Official September 2025 pick of the Otherppl Book Club.
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.
Official September 2025 pick of the Otherppl Book Club.
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.
September 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Thank you so much for having me, Brad!
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
Words can’t explain 🥹 We were deeply inspired by Elaine Hsieh Chou’s fireside chat for her newest novel, “Where Are You Really From,” released Aug 19. Highly recommend checking it out. She’s so personable, funny, & witty! This turned my day around entirely #booktok #sf
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
September 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Words can’t explain 🥹 We were deeply inspired by Elaine Hsieh Chou’s fireside chat for her newest novel, “Where Are You Really From,” released Aug 19. Highly recommend checking it out. She’s so personable, funny, & witty! This turned my day around entirely #booktok #sf
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social
Tonight at 7 pm!!
We have some great things coming your way in the next week, starting tonight! RSVP and find details at the following link: greenapplebooks.com/events/calen...
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social @transitbooks.bsky.social @beaconpress.bsky.social @henricole.bsky.social @dapowell.bsky.social
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social @transitbooks.bsky.social @beaconpress.bsky.social @henricole.bsky.social @dapowell.bsky.social
September 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Tonight at 7 pm!!
Tomorrow night! 🍏📚
San Francisco 9/4 at 7 pm PT: @greenapplebooks.bsky.social with Ingrid Rojas Contreras! Free to attend, RSVP at the link below:
greenapplebooks.com/event/2025-0...
greenapplebooks.com/event/2025-0...
9th Ave: Elaine Hsieh Chou with Ingrid Rojas Contreras
greenapplebooks.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Tomorrow night! 🍏📚
I forgot to share my book tour info for WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM (@penguinpress.bsky.social)! I still have events in San Francisco and Las Vegas, as well as a virtual event with @aaww-nyc.bsky.social. Hope to see some of you there! I'll post details and links in the comments 💕
August 31, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I forgot to share my book tour info for WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM (@penguinpress.bsky.social)! I still have events in San Francisco and Las Vegas, as well as a virtual event with @aaww-nyc.bsky.social. Hope to see some of you there! I'll post details and links in the comments 💕
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social discusses literary community, the search for open space, and experiences of multiple realities.
Elaine Hsieh Chou on Literary Community, Identity, and Playing With Form
Where Are You Really From, Elaine Hsieh Chou’s stylistically complex story collection, offers intriguing glimpses into the ways in which we have become captive to a habit of continually evaluating …
buff.ly
August 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
@elainehsiehchou.bsky.social discusses literary community, the search for open space, and experiences of multiple realities.
Thank you @janeciab.bsky.social for speaking with me for @literaryhub.bsky.social! We spoke about the alternate realities of the diaspora, navigating publishing as a writer of color, when I worked as a background actor, screenwriting vs. prose and more 😊
lithub.com/elaine-hsieh...
lithub.com/elaine-hsieh...
Elaine Hsieh Chou on Literary Community, Identity, and Playing With Form
Where Are You Really From, Elaine Hsieh Chou’s stylistically complex story collection, offers intriguing glimpses into the ways in which we have become captive to a habit of continually evaluating …
lithub.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Thank you @janeciab.bsky.social for speaking with me for @literaryhub.bsky.social! We spoke about the alternate realities of the diaspora, navigating publishing as a writer of color, when I worked as a background actor, screenwriting vs. prose and more 😊
lithub.com/elaine-hsieh...
lithub.com/elaine-hsieh...
So thrilled to see WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM on here! @literaryhub.bsky.social
lithub.com/what-should-...
lithub.com/what-should-...
What Should You Read Next? Here Are the Best Reviewed Books of the Week
Nicholas Boggs’ Baldwin: A Love Story, Elaine Hsieh Chou’s Where Are You Really From, and Bench Ansfield’s Born in Flames all feature among the best reviewed books of the week. Brought to you by Bo…
lithub.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:46 PM
So thrilled to see WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM on here! @literaryhub.bsky.social
lithub.com/what-should-...
lithub.com/what-should-...
My interview for @writersdigest.bsky.social is now up! I talk about how the story collection came together, what surprised me about the process, maintaining a private relationship between you and your work, and more 😊
www.writersdigest.com/elaine-hsieh...
www.writersdigest.com/elaine-hsieh...
Elaine Hsieh Chou: Writing Is a Private Relationship Between You and the Work
In this interview, author Elaine Hsieh Chou discusses having the space to experiment in her new short story collection, Where Are You Really From.
www.writersdigest.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
My interview for @writersdigest.bsky.social is now up! I talk about how the story collection came together, what surprised me about the process, maintaining a private relationship between you and your work, and more 😊
www.writersdigest.com/elaine-hsieh...
www.writersdigest.com/elaine-hsieh...
Thank you @hannahbae.bsky.social for this wonderful feature in @sfchronicle.com! I loved speaking with Hannah about this collection and my writing over the years. And I'm so grateful to my editor Casey and my first workshop teacher Kim for their generous words ❤️
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
In ‘Where Are You Really From,’ Elaine Hsieh Chou stretches herself outside of satire
Sci-fi, horror and speculation abound in the California author’s story collection.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Thank you @hannahbae.bsky.social for this wonderful feature in @sfchronicle.com! I loved speaking with Hannah about this collection and my writing over the years. And I'm so grateful to my editor Casey and my first workshop teacher Kim for their generous words ❤️
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
www.sfchronicle.com/entertainmen...
"Each story ends in a way that makes you tip your head back in bewilderment, a reminder that there is no base reality on which everyone’s narrative is built… Where Are You Really From sparkles in the way it infuses dark concepts with whimsy and detail"
Tysm for these words @ansonjtong.com!
Tysm for these words @ansonjtong.com!
reviewed @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social’s new book of short stories and a novella for @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! delightfully weird!!!
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/19/a...
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/08/19/a...
A Lack of Shared Reality in Elaine Hsieh Chou’s "Where Are You Really From" - Chicago Review of Books
We rarely ask someone directly, “Who are you?” but there are certainly attempts to triangulate an answer—What do you do? Where do you live? Where are you from? The assumptions based on their response stack up rapidly. In Where Are You Really From, her new collection of six short stories and a novella, Elaine Hsieh…
chireviewofbooks.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
"Each story ends in a way that makes you tip your head back in bewilderment, a reminder that there is no base reality on which everyone’s narrative is built… Where Are You Really From sparkles in the way it infuses dark concepts with whimsy and detail"
Tysm for these words @ansonjtong.com!
Tysm for these words @ansonjtong.com!
The first review of WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM (@penguinpress.bsky.social) is out in @startribune.com! Honored to be read by the brilliant @mayleechai.bsky.social ❤️
"All the stories showcase Chou’s audacious talent for wordplay alongside her deep empathy"
www.startribune.com/where-are-yo...
"All the stories showcase Chou’s audacious talent for wordplay alongside her deep empathy"
www.startribune.com/where-are-yo...
Review: New stories put characters at the corner of ‘huh?’ and ‘yikes’
Fiction: The people in Elaine Hsieh Chou’s book grapple with AI, beauty standards and mail-order brides.
www.startribune.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The first review of WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM (@penguinpress.bsky.social) is out in @startribune.com! Honored to be read by the brilliant @mayleechai.bsky.social ❤️
"All the stories showcase Chou’s audacious talent for wordplay alongside her deep empathy"
www.startribune.com/where-are-yo...
"All the stories showcase Chou’s audacious talent for wordplay alongside her deep empathy"
www.startribune.com/where-are-yo...
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
I wrote about why sitting Supreme Court justices shouldn't be prolific authors. lithub.com/why-the-supr...
Why the Supreme Court Shouldn’t Make Millions From Publishing Books
Last week it was announced that Samuel Alito signed a new book deal for an unreported sum with the Basic Liberty imprint of Basic Books, which is part of Hachette. This comes mere weeks after annua…
lithub.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I wrote about why sitting Supreme Court justices shouldn't be prolific authors. lithub.com/why-the-supr...
Thank you for including Where Are You Really From @ocregister.bsky.social! I grew up in Orange County and did not think I'd ever see my name in the newspaper. A surreal moment for young Elaine.
www.ocregister.com/2025/07/15/3...
www.ocregister.com/2025/07/15/3...
33 summer book recommendations featuring some of 2025’s best novels and more
Here are some great choices for fiction, nonfiction, essays, memoir and more to keep you busy through the hot summer months.
www.ocregister.com
July 18, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Thank you for including Where Are You Really From @ocregister.bsky.social! I grew up in Orange County and did not think I'd ever see my name in the newspaper. A surreal moment for young Elaine.
www.ocregister.com/2025/07/15/3...
www.ocregister.com/2025/07/15/3...
Reposted by Elaine Hsieh Chou
PAN by Michael Clune and Where Are You Really From? by @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social are included in The Millions' Great Summer Book Preview! themillions.com/2025/07/the-...
The Millions’ Great Summer 2025 Book Preview
Here you’ll find just over 100 titles out this summer that we’re excited about here at The Millions.
themillions.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
PAN by Michael Clune and Where Are You Really From? by @elainehsiehchou.bsky.social are included in The Millions' Great Summer Book Preview! themillions.com/2025/07/the-...
WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM is 25% off on @barnesandnoble.com from now until July 11! Use code PREORDER25 💙
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-are-...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-are-...
Where Are You Really From: Stories|Hardcover
“Delicious, confessional, shocking, and poignant—it's impossible to put this masterful book down.” —Alissa Nutting, author of Made for Love and Tampa“Chou is the rare wri...
www.barnesandnoble.com
July 8, 2025 at 8:21 PM
WHERE ARE YOU REALLY FROM is 25% off on @barnesandnoble.com from now until July 11! Use code PREORDER25 💙
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-are-...
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-are-...
"Her new short story collection (which includes a novella!) confronts many of the same themes via grotesques—mail order brides, au pairs, ugly ducklings, sex bots, dolls..."
Thank you so much for including WHERE ARE YOU REALLY
FROM! Out from @penguinpress.bsky.social on August 19 ✨
Thank you so much for including WHERE ARE YOU REALLY
FROM! Out from @penguinpress.bsky.social on August 19 ✨
July 1, 2025 at 8:01 PM
"Her new short story collection (which includes a novella!) confronts many of the same themes via grotesques—mail order brides, au pairs, ugly ducklings, sex bots, dolls..."
Thank you so much for including WHERE ARE YOU REALLY
FROM! Out from @penguinpress.bsky.social on August 19 ✨
Thank you so much for including WHERE ARE YOU REALLY
FROM! Out from @penguinpress.bsky.social on August 19 ✨