First: WOW I love that book cover. The vintage Nancy Drew vibes are impeccably done. As an author who knows firsthand how ugly book covers can be (and how little control the writer has over the final choice!), huge kudos to the publisher for that design.
Second, while fear of aging is a universal and time-honored anxiety, I do see where Millennials have it weirdest. Y'all were the first generation who realized the American Dream simply wasn't attainable for most. Growing up Gen X, we caught the tail end of feasibility... getting your undergrad was still sorta worth it and accessible in the mid-90s. You could still maybe get a job and buy a starter home in the early 00s. But by the recession in the late 00s, it became clear the American Dream was a lie. A lie that caught Millennials between their student loans and parents basements.
The best advice I can offer about aging fears (as someone turning 50 in May) is to have a major health scare that makes you realize that getting older is a huge privilege. The sooner and more fully you can accept the inevitability of death (and the aging/disability that comes before it), the more energy you can clear up to notice the joy of the present moment. Avoiding the idea of death takes HUGE amounts energy... when you free that energy up by accepting the inevitable as a gift, the more energy you have to enjoy the time you've got.
I think a lot of Karen types are women who used to have pretty privilege and don't anymore, so really agree with Leigh's note on aging meaning losing a form of valuable currency for beautiful women!
also doing a cover reveal on substack is so cool, and I am so excited to read the book!!!
I'm Gen X, not a Millennial, but I feel like this is for me anyway. Love the moody, gothic vibes. I'm getting Yellowjackets, The Secret History... dark and twisty... but knowing Leigh's work, it will also be razor-sharp and compulsive reading.
First, I love the cover! And Leigh, I love that you did a cover reveal on Substack! So fun! Secondly, this article is so strange. But everything about being an older Millennial is always so strange to me. And we're living in such strange times. What's funny about this is, I have always been a huge Bob Dylan fan. In my 20s, I can remember talking to an older woman about Bob Dylan and she said, "Bob Dylan is mine. You can't possibly understand his music." And now that older woman is me.
First: WOW I love that book cover. The vintage Nancy Drew vibes are impeccably done. As an author who knows firsthand how ugly book covers can be (and how little control the writer has over the final choice!), huge kudos to the publisher for that design.
Second, while fear of aging is a universal and time-honored anxiety, I do see where Millennials have it weirdest. Y'all were the first generation who realized the American Dream simply wasn't attainable for most. Growing up Gen X, we caught the tail end of feasibility... getting your undergrad was still sorta worth it and accessible in the mid-90s. You could still maybe get a job and buy a starter home in the early 00s. But by the recession in the late 00s, it became clear the American Dream was a lie. A lie that caught Millennials between their student loans and parents basements.
The best advice I can offer about aging fears (as someone turning 50 in May) is to have a major health scare that makes you realize that getting older is a huge privilege. The sooner and more fully you can accept the inevitability of death (and the aging/disability that comes before it), the more energy you can clear up to notice the joy of the present moment. Avoiding the idea of death takes HUGE amounts energy... when you free that energy up by accepting the inevitable as a gift, the more energy you have to enjoy the time you've got.
glad you like the cover!
you’re the best 🐝
I am such a huge fan of Leigh Stein’s work - her writing, her satire, herself. Cannot wait for August 26
❤️❤️❤️
LEIGH I CANNOT WAIT. Great cover. xoxo Edan (born, 1981).
you are the same age as my main character so if you’re seeing this it’s definitely meant for you
This is so cool. Y'all are both so cool!
thanks Johnny!
This cover!! I love it- the typography shadowing is perfect- nostalgic AND unsettling. can't wait to read, and nice to meet you Mr Bees 😂
I think a lot of Karen types are women who used to have pretty privilege and don't anymore, so really agree with Leigh's note on aging meaning losing a form of valuable currency for beautiful women!
also doing a cover reveal on substack is so cool, and I am so excited to read the book!!!
Wow I can't wait to read this book!
I'm Gen X, not a Millennial, but I feel like this is for me anyway. Love the moody, gothic vibes. I'm getting Yellowjackets, The Secret History... dark and twisty... but knowing Leigh's work, it will also be razor-sharp and compulsive reading.
thank you Rebecca! If You're Seeing This and You're Gen X, It's Meant for You, Too
"The internet is the laboratory where I was made."
loved the interview, really excited to read the novel!
First, I love the cover! And Leigh, I love that you did a cover reveal on Substack! So fun! Secondly, this article is so strange. But everything about being an older Millennial is always so strange to me. And we're living in such strange times. What's funny about this is, I have always been a huge Bob Dylan fan. In my 20s, I can remember talking to an older woman about Bob Dylan and she said, "Bob Dylan is mine. You can't possibly understand his music." And now that older woman is me.
the cover is so good!!
stay tuned… you are on my VIP list 😊
Love the cover. And can't wait to read!
thank you Melanie!
Thanks for this. I’m excited for Leigh’s new book. SELF CARE was one of my favorite reads of last year.
Thank you Linda!
Preordering now 😍
queen
Incredible cover! So glad this book is happening. 🤘🏽