We chat with debut author Jennifer Chen about Artifacts of an Ex, which is a story of love, art, and finding your way when everything you know has changed completely.
Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a journalist and author. I’m the mom to seven-year-old twins, two pugs, and a black cat named Gremlin Gizmo. I love to read nonfiction, romance, thrillers, young adult, and poetry by diverse authors. On my writing desk, you’ll find many different color highlighters, several notebooks, my paper planner, and stickers. Under my desk, my pugs, Zoey and Ziggy, are usually sleeping and snoring, smushed into one bed.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
In second grade, my teacher Mrs. Gionet encouraged me to write. I was a shy, quiet kid (I was a ghost for Halloween that year and didn’t talk to anyone!). She told me she liked my stories and to keep writing them down.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. It was the first book I read on my own and I was really excited I could read.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Going to the public library as a kid and marveling at all the books on the bookshelves.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I can’t walk by a dog without telling them they’re cute. Sometimes I wonder if their owners think I’m talking to them!
Your debut novel, Artifacts of An Ex, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A breakup that inspires art.
What can readers expect?
If you love friends-to-lovers, a fish out of water, and a cinnamon roll romantic lead, Artifacts of an Ex is for you. Readers can expect to see artists, Los Angeles, food adventures, and non-dates that are full of chemistry. Also, if you adore paper planners and stickers, this book is for you.
Where did the inspiration for Artifacts of An Ex come from?
Back in October 2016, I went to the Museum of Broken Relationships in Los Angeles. (It no longer exists.) It was an exhibit of breakup objects—not necessarily romantic relationships—and each placard shared a little bit about the people involved. I loved it and thought it would be a great idea for a teen girl going through her very first breakup.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I don’t want to ruin the ending for you, but I loved writing the Big Romantic Gesture at the end. I absolutely love watching grand gestures in romcom movies, so it was really fun to create my own.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Goodness. I made a timeline of my writing journey for an Instagram post so I looked through all my emails leading up to my debut book. It was a long 14 years of trying to sell a book. I’ve had more rejections than offers. I’m sharing this because I want people to know that this isn’t the first book I’ve written. It’s the first book I sold. I hope that helps future novelists to know!
What’s next for you?
I’m working on book #2 right now. It’s a young adult romance that I call “farmers market Romeo and Juliet” in which two teens from warring families fall in love and try to date without anyone knowing. But there’s no double suicide or iambic pentameter—just a food poisoning and dual points-of-view.
Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases you’re looking forward to?
Yes! So many. My agent sibling Nia Davenport has a YA thriller coming out in February 2024 called Out of Body that gives Jordan Peele vibes. This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill is also out in February and features two queer teens on an epic adventure in New York City. I can not wait for TJ Klune’s sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea that’s coming out in fall 2024.
