21 Comments
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R.L. Nguyen's avatar

This is honestly really encouraging to hear as a young author about to (hopefully) embark on the debut journey—that the midlist is a sustainable, happy place to be even if it doesn't look splashy. Rooting for your next book to find the people who need it most!

Julie C. Dao's avatar

This is so kind! Thank you very much! I'm wishing you a wonderful debut journey! It can be so rewarding to see your own growth even if that part of the career isn't so splashy or appreciated by others. Good luck to you!!!

R.L. Nguyen's avatar

Awwww, thank YOU!! You're so kind.

Natalie Keller Reinert's avatar

I love this post! Thank you for sharing. Also shoutout to Charlotte Doyle!!

Julie C. Dao's avatar

Thank you for reading! And yes, I loved that book!!

AJ Eversole's avatar

Thanks for sharing! I have loved watching your career and love your books. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns was super ahead of its time, I've been reading many books lately that I've thought to myself are in great conversation with it. I just wanted to point out that yes, Malinda Lo and Cindy Pon are amazing, but that road wouldn't have been paved without you on it either. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns and its companions made their own mark for the future of these stories. I'm sure you know it, but I feel like we should always share and uplift these things! Midlist or not, you're a strong voice too. That history is yours too. <3

Julie C. Dao's avatar

This is such a kind comment and it made me smile ❤️ thank you so very much for this. I’m happy if I was able to help lift this tide for other writers. I just wish experience counted for more in this business and earned more respect. But I know I’ll never stop writing!

Zoraida Córdova's avatar

Relatable!

Thien-Kim Lam's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. The industry is so debut focused that sometimes it feels like I'm writing in a void. I love writing and I hope to also become "famous" before my 21st book.

Julie C. Dao's avatar

LOL! We got this! And yeah, I wish the debut push/support continued as reward for experience, but alas...

Katie's avatar

Congratulations on your debut novel getting a TV series adapation! When will the series begin filming?

Julie C. Dao's avatar

Thank you! I'm not sure but I assume it's this year!

Katie's avatar

Has Xifeng been casted yet? I can't wait to see what she's like on screen!

Erin Bowman's avatar

Can relate to so much of this. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. I think it's so important for other writers to see/read posts like this. 💗

Julie C. Dao's avatar

Only 1% of the career is the highlights reel stuff and 99% of it is writing, editing, and trying to stay relevant for most of us 😂 Thanks lady!!!

Beth Revis's avatar

Love this and love all your books <3

Julie C. Dao's avatar

And I feel the same about your books, Beth! <3

Liz Griffin's avatar

I appreciate your honesty in this post, Julie. My YA debut will be published out this summer, and I know I’m a far stronger writer now than I was when I first wrote it 5 years ago.

Julie C. Dao's avatar

Congratulations, Liz!! That's wonderful. Here's hoping the experience will be everything you dreamed of!!

Kieran Scott's avatar

JULIE! I was so excited to find you on here and even after almost thirty years writing midlisty books, this post hit home. But Broken Wish is going to FRANCE! That's amazing! Congrats! Here's hoping that series finds some new fans. Hope all's well!