Cindy Pham: From YouTube to Bestselling Author

Cindy Pham was a YouTube star before she became a bestselling author. She had almost 600,000 subscribers who watched her talk about books.

Pham did not want to make money from her creativity.

Pham works as a graphic designer and keeps her writing separate. This gives her the freedom to write what she wants.

Pham's first book is a young adult novel called The Secret World of Briar Rose. It is a new version of Sleeping Beauty.

Pham talks about her career and how she balances different jobs. She also discusses the line between being an author and an influencer.

Mashable asked Pham about her relationship with books when she was growing up.

Pham did not read much when she was young. She started reading after college and became interested in it.

Pham started writing when she was in elementary school. She wrote stories as a way to escape.

Pham came to reading later than most people. She missed popular books like Harry Potter, but she started a YouTube channel about books.

What came first: Pham's YouTube channel or her book idea?

Pham wrote stories when she was in school. She wrote about video games and TV shows, and later she wrote original stories.

After college, Pham started reading a lot. She needed a place to talk about the books she read, so she started a YouTube channel.

Pham's channel grew as she became more interested in books. She made videos about what she was excited about, not just what would be popular.

The core of Pham's story stayed the same, but she was able to tell it better as an adult. She had more life experience and had read more books.

One thing that stands out about Pham is that she still works a full-time job as a graphic designer.

Pham likes having a separate job from her writing. It gives her financial security and the freedom to write what she wants.

Pham sees similar pressures on full-time creators and authors. When your creative work is your whole livelihood, it can be stressful.

Pham is a slow writer. She likes to think about her ideas and let them develop over time.

Pham is not like some authors who write very fast. She takes her time and likes to experience life before writing about it.

Being authentic is important for creators. Pham's book feels personal and true to who she is.

Pham thinks that being a content creator before becoming an author helped her. It made her thicker-skinned and more confident.

Pham wants to create because she is interested, not for validation. She does not want her livelihood to depend on what others think.

Writers cannot just write anymore; they have to be public figures. Pham thinks this is a shame, but it has worked in her favor.

The way authors are expected to promote themselves on social media is a flawed system. Pham thinks authors should not have to be marketers.

Pham benefits from the system, but she also critiques it. She tries to use her platform to help other authors who do not have the same opportunities.

When Pham's book debuted at number one, she highlighted other books that were released on the same day. She wanted to give attention to other authors who deserved it.

Pham's name is closely associated with her book, which can be a problem. People may judge the book based on what they think of her, rather than the book itself.

Pham's goal is not external validation, but self-expression. She writes what matters to her, not what she thinks others will like.

At least in publishing, there is a team that worries about sales numbers. Pham can focus on having fun and writing what she wants.

Everyone involved in Pham's book is a woman, and most are from marginalized groups. Pham is Vietnamese, and her editor, cover artist, and designers are all from different backgrounds.

Pham's book cover is beautiful, and she had a lot of control over its design. She was able to use her skills as a designer to create something she loved.

The internet helped Pham become more socially and politically conscious. It also helped her realize she was queer.

Before the internet, Pham's writing was not very diverse. It was heteronormative and colorblind. But as she learned more, her writing changed.

Pham was part of a queer community online before she realized she was queer herself. She met her girlfriend through the book community.

Being perceived publicly can be difficult. Pham was worried that people would think she was exploiting queer stories, even though that was not her intention.

Pham's girlfriend confessed her feelings, but Pham was not sure how to respond. She had compartmentalized her feelings and was worried about 'queerbaiting'.

The internet can be overwhelming, but Pham has learned to separate public speculation from her real life. She focuses on her relationships and experiences outside of the internet.

Pham's goal is not representation, but resonance. She wants to write stories that feel true to her, even if they do not represent every marginalized group.

Pham understands why representation is important, but she thinks it is more complex than that. She wants to write stories that resonate with people, even if they do not see themselves in the characters.

Looking back, Pham's finished book is different from the one she first wrote in high school. It has grown and developed over time.

Pham's book is about depression and mental health. She always wanted to write about these topics, but she did not have the emotional intelligence to do it justice when she was younger.

Pham's experiences and growth as a person have shaped her writing. She has learned to write richer characters and to explore complex themes.

Pham thinks of her original manuscript as a seed that has grown over time. She has added new ideas and depth to the story as she has learned and experienced more.

Pham loves the central question of her novel: What if Sleeping Beauty did not want to wake up? It is an emotionally rich question that explores themes of depression and escapism.

Pham thinks it is important for YA stories to be allowed to be dark. She wrote the kind of book she would have wanted to read as a teenager, one that acknowledges the darkness and complexity of life.

Pham believes that growth comes from acknowledging both the good and the bad in life. It is about holding two truths at once and finding a way to move forward.

Topics: Books, Creators

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