Authors Interviewing Characters: Van Hoang

April 1, 2024 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

About THE MONSTROUS MISSES MAI

A determined young woman in 1950s Los Angeles walks a darker city than she ever imagined in a spellbinding novel about the power to make dreams come true―whatever the sacrifice.

Los Angeles brims with opportunity in 1959―though not for aspiring fashion designer Cordelia Mai Yin, the first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants, who finds the city unkind to outsiders and as dispirited as her own family. When Cordi rents a cheap loft in an old apartment building, she quickly warms to kindred souls Tessa, Audrey, and Silly. They also want better things and have pasts they’d rather forget. That they all share the same middle name makes their friendship seem like destiny.

As supportive as they are of each other, it’s a struggle just to eke out a living, let alone hope to see their wishes for success come true. Until an ever-present and uncannily charming acquaintance of the landlord’s offers a solution to their problems. He promises to fulfill their every dream. All it takes is a little magic. And a small sacrifice.

As one surprisingly effective spell leads to another, their wishes get bigger. But so does the price they must pay. Amid the damaged seams of her life so far, Cordi must realize her own power in order to rip free, without losing everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

Van Hoang interviews Cordelia Mai Yin

Van: So…why do you insist all your clothes be made with pockets?

Cordi (clearly nervous): Pockets are so important. Have you ever had to go anywhere without pockets? Gone to work or school and not have anywhere to put anything?

Van: I’m a woman, so yes.

Cordi: And how did you feel?

Van: Helpless, horrible, all dresses should have pockets!

Cordi: Exactly! They’re not even very difficult to sew. It’s just one simple, added step, really, which is why every item in my new clothing line, Pockets by Cordelia Yin, will have pockets.

Van: Your new clothing line that you’re working on with a certain…someone?

Cordi: Well, Mr. Sinclair is–yes, he’s–we’re working on it together but–he’s not–just a–

The door opens and Tessa Hong, Cordi’s roommate, bursts in

Tessa: Cordi, you won’t believe who I ran into–oh, I’m sorry. Are you…an interviewer? What magazine do you work for? What are you two talking about?

Cordi: Nothing!

Van: We’re talking about Cordi’s work with Mr. Sinclair.

Tessa: Oh Sinclair… You know… I think he has a crush on Cordi.

Cordi: What? No he doesn’t. Why would you–that’s not–we’re both passionate about–

Tessa: Each other?

Cordi: Pockets! We both love pockets.

Van: And maybe each other, or…

Cordi: Definitely not each other. I just want to pursue my dreams. I can’t afford to ruin my chances over a romance that…

Van: That might be your dream also? Two things can exist.

Cordi: No. Certainly not. I just want to design clothes. This is all I’ve ever thought about. I don’t need much else. I’m so happy with this, only this, nothing more. *Hides her hands inside the pockets of her skirt*

Van: Of course. You worked so hard to get to where you are.

Tessa: And sacrificed so much.

Van: What sort of sacrifices?

Tessa: Oh, nothing…just a little spell that’s supposed to make our dreams come true. It wasn’t even us, but this man we met who says he’s a witch.

Cordi: Tessa…

Tessa: What? She’s not going to believe us that it’s real. Are you?

Van: ….

Cordi: We didn’t think so either. All this lura witchcraft nonsense. But all of our dreams really did come true.

Van: That sounds marvelous, then.

Cordi: Yes, but so did other things…weird things.

Van: What weird things?

Cordi: Abnormalities and deformities.

Van: That does sound weird.

Cordi: Well, my finger–

Tessa: Nothing! Nothing that odd, anyway. We’re just so grateful that we’re finally getting everything we’ve always deserved.

Cordi: Right. *avoids eye contact*

Tessa: Are those all the questions you wanted to ask? Because we’ve got to get ready. I got us an invitation to a special soiree this evening, and Cordi’s designed us both the perfect dresses for it, so we must get on. Tata, love!

BUY HERE

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Van Hoang’s first name is pronounced like the van in minivan. Her last name is pronounced “hah-wawng.” She is the author of Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Girl Giant and the Jade War, and the forthcoming Hidden Tails for middle grade readers. Her adult debut novel The Monstrous Misses Mai will publish in spring 2024. Van was born in Vietnam, grew in up Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, kid, and dog. When she is not writing, she spends her days force-feeding books to small children (and adults!) at the Huntington Beach library in Southern California.