We chat with author Stefany Valentine about First Love Language, which is a romantic dramedy about finding love and reconnecting with your culture in the most surprising ways.
Hi, Stefany! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m Stefany! Most people know me as the adoptee who found her bio mom while writing a book about an adoptee searching for her bio mom! But really, I’m just an avid birdwatcher who drinks too much coffee and occasionally keeps her indoor plants alive.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve always loved storytelling! After I found my bio mom, she told me that my favorite thing to do when I was little was to listen to her tell stories. I don’t remember that, but I do remember being in elementary school and writing a 20 page story about killer whales.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Goosebumps—they were the books that got me into reading!
- The one that made you want to become an author: I’m not proud of this answer, but it was probably the Harry Potter series.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Lately, I’ve been obsessed with anything Sonora Reyes! Their soul just speaks to my soul!
Your debut novel, First Love Language, is out January 14th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Fake dates inspired by love languages! Technically that’s that’s six but “love languages” are one thing hahaha!
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions! There’s laughter on one page, heartache on the next. There’s a lot of exploration of the good and bad of complicated topics like adoption and religion. And of course navigating the ups and downs of first love!
Where did the inspiration for First Love Language come from?
The inspiration for FIRST LOVE LANGUAGE came from my lived experience, but it also came from the stories shared by other Asian Americans. When Covid hit, it gave me a chance to think about my own Asian identity and how complex my relationship to it has always been. As a biracial adoptee, I always felt estranged from my Asian identity. I was embarrassed at the fact that I didn’t speak my heritage language or know anything about Taiwanese culture. But I didn’t know I was even allowed to feel those things until someone else said it first and I wanted to write a book that tackles how complex all of this really is.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
While Catie, the protagonist, and I have a lot in common, there were still things about her character that I needed to explore. By digging deeper into her character, I was able to learn things about myself, too. It was very therapeutic to write FIRST LOVE LANGUAGE.
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
The road to publication was a long one. I was in the query trenches for ten years before I finally got an offer of representation. By this time, I’d written 7 failed mauscripts. But I think the greatest lesson I learned from this was that each of the stories I wrote before was for the market. FIRST LOVE LANGUAGE was the first story I wrote for myself. I think the authenticity resonated with others which is what ultimately lead me to landing my first agent and later, a book deal.
What’s next for you?
My sophomore novel, LOVE MAKES MOCHI, is anticipated for release in Feb, 2026. From there, I might pivot into writing adult rom-dram-com. But YA will always have my heart and I have more stories up my sleeve.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up in 2025?
THE FLOATING WORLD, Axie Oh
OATHBOUND, Tracey Dion
WATERMOON, Samantha Sotto Yambao
SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, Suzanne Collins
SAY A LITTLE PRAYER, Jenna Voris
BINGSU FOR TWO, Sujin Witherspoon
BETTER THAN THE MOVIES, Lynn Painter
