Mary H.K. Choi can’t stop writing about herself, and we’re all better for it.

For nearly three decades, Choi has made a career as a writer and cultural critic. Beginning in print magazines, she’s worked for media cornerstones like Mass Appeal, XXL, Wired, GQ, while hosting two successful podcasts, ‘Hey, Cool Job!’ and later ‘Hey, Cool Life’. However, Choi wanted to push herself beyond the boundaries of essay writing and blow right by the 2000-word limit. Partly as a test of endurance and to take complete agency over her role as a storyteller, she transitioned into the world of fiction. In 2018, she debuted with ‘Emergency Contact’, followed by ‘Permanent Record’ and the confessional ‘Yolk’.

In all her writing, Choi has been candid about her experiences, traumas, and journey with mental health. She has been open about her ADHD and autism diagnosis, along with her history with eating disorders (self-describing it as “a sun in bulimia and dysmorphia rising”). With her latest novel, ‘Poolhouse’, Choi is figuratively painting on her biggest canvas yet.

Set between the dazzling lights of Hollywood and its lurid shadows, ‘Poolhouse’ is about Moon and Stevie, a mother and daughter whose relationship becomes twisted after the former’s lover/on-screen husband’s death. Forced to rent their house to pay the bills (ironically), the two are sequestered in their pool house. Tensions rise, hurts are laid bare, and plenty of messy sex is had. ‘Poolhouse’ charts themes familiar to fans of Choi’s past work. However, this time she excavates truths that sear hotter and bruise more tenderly than anything she’s put on paper before.

Thanks to Choi for taking the time to chat! You can follow her @choitotheworld, and subscribe to her Subtack here. ‘Poolhouse’ is on shelves from today! Make sure to pick up a copy here and from all good bookstores (if you can, support your local!).