King of Joy, Paperback

Named a 2019 Writer to Watch by the Los Angeles Times, Richard Chiem has written a new novel that is equal parts sledgehammer and sweet song. King of Joy is a neon, pulsing portrait of grief, and an electrifying story of one woman's survival against all odds.

"This novel is transfixing. . . I love Chiem's writing." ―Melissa Broder, author of The Pisces

Corvus has always had an overactive imagination. Growing up, she develops a unique coping mechanism: she can imagine herself out of any situation, no matter how terrible. To get through each day, Corvus escapes into scenes from fantasy novels, pop songs, and action/adventure movies, and survives by turning the everyday into just another role to play in the movie of her life.

After a tragic loss, Corvus finds a sadness so great she cannot imagine it away. Instead, she finds Tim, a pornographer with unconventional methods, who offers her a new way to escape into movies. But when a sinister plot of greed and betrayal is revealed, Corvus must fight to reclaim her independence, and discovers she is stronger than even she could have imagined.

Written in Richard Chiem's singular style, King of Joy is equal parts sledgehammer and sweet song, a neon, pulsing portrait of grief.

Richard Chiem is the author of ​You Private Person, which was named one of Publishers Weekly​'s 10 Essential Books of the American West. His work has been published in ​City Arts, ​Vol. 1 Brooklyn​, ​Fanzine​, ​3: AM Magazine​, and ​Moss​, among many other venues. He has taught at Hugo House and at the University of Washington Bothell. He lives in Seattle.