She became a bestseller before graduation. Today, we’re asking: what does joy look like after the dream comes true?
Chloe Gong started writing at 13, turned a love of stories into a #1 New York Times–bestselling career by 21, and built a global community by simply being herself. Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with Chloe to talk about turning early doubt into momentum, lessons from her New Zealand and Chinese culture, and tips for balancing life with the pursuit of self-growth and following your aspirations.
In this episode:
- How Chloe went from teen storyteller to #1 NYT bestselling author at 21.
- Bringing culture to the center: diaspora, language, and tiny details.
- A teaser from Chloe's new book, Coldwire!
- Hacks to time management from college to career: calendars, trade-offs, and communicating your limits.
- Tips for overcoming feelings of overwhelm.
- TRUTH about achieving success early in your career.
Whether you’re pushing yourself into self-growth, rewriting old habits, or simply trying to figure out your next step in life, Chloe’s insights will help you find joy in the process - not just the finish line.
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Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with bestselling author of Powerless, Lauren Roberts. In this episode, Lauren shares her top tips for self-discipline, the role of BookTok in building a career as an author, and hacks for managing internal + external pressure: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jefOhHdrXDysOuCIJ53dI?si=PhHUijqDRF6G_zp4qrUQKA
(00:00) Welcome, Chloe!
(02:10) I Started Writing At 13
(05:47) What It Felt Like to Become One of the YOUNGEST NYT Bestselling Authors
(10:29) "We're Living in a Different Time"
(11:15) Finding Success Before Most People Find Confidence
(14:47) What Inspired Chloe to Base Her Books on Romeo & Juliet?
(18:21) How Chloe Blends Herself Into Her Books
(23:38) Do You Know Someone Who Has A BIG Goal?
(24:29) Greatest Lessons From Chloe's Chinese + New Zealand Culture
(28:45) Where Does Chloe Find Inspiration?
(33:14) Coldwire (Chloe's New Book) Teaser
(35:01) Hacks For Not Feeling Overwhelmed
(38:23) How Does Chloe Develop Her Characters?
(40:56) Tips For Pushing Yourself (in a healthy way)
(42:49) Being An Author + Full-Time Student: Chloe's Roadmap For Productivity
(48:22) How Can I Stay True to Myself?
(52:54) Looking Ahead: Where Chloe Sees Her Career Going
(54:53) Our Favorite Sleep Hack!
(55:19) GAME! The Joy Edit
(1:02:08) Chloe to Her Teenage Self
(1:04:06) What Brings Chloe a Small Bit of Happiness?
(1:04:32) Chloe's Motivational Quote
(1:05:00) Find Chloe Here
(1:06:08) Key Takeaways
Ever wondered how a book goes from idea to bestseller? Chloe Gong shares her journey, offering valuable writing tips for aspiring authors. From the initial spark to publishing a book and navigating the world of literary agent, Chloe's insights on authors and books provide a roadmap for success.
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