Emiko Jean is a Japanese-American author-- but, before she was an author, she was an entomologist (bug catcher), candle maker, florist, and teacher. She strongly believes in “faking it till you make it” and asking for forgiveness rather than permission.

Emiko has written many YA novels, like, Tokyo Ever After, which was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club YA Pick. But her most recent novel, Mika in Real Life, is a bit more grown-up. With themes about sexual assault, motherhood, adoption, and coming of age when you’re already an adult.

We speak with Emiko Jean about her new novel, motherhood, and how her book explores and deconstructs the 'model minority myth.'