Picture a Chinese American storyteller who turned small-town roots into a literary love letter to identity and homecoming—meet Delia Cai! A rising star in journalism and fiction, Cai’s debut novel, Central Places, captures the messy, heartfelt clash of cultures and past selves. From her viral newsletter Deez Links to her role as a senior Vanities correspondent at Vanity Fair, Cai’s voice is a vibrant blend of wit, nostalgia, and cultural insight.
Born in Madison, Wisconsin, and raised in the tight-knit village of Dunlap, Illinois, Cai’s journey from the Midwest to New York City mirrors the emotional arcs of her characters. Her work resonates with anyone who’s ever felt caught between worlds—whether it’s hometown nostalgia or the weight of immigrant expectations.
The Making of Delia Cai
Delia Cai’s early life in central Illinois shaped her sharp, empathetic lens. Growing up as one of the few Asian Americans in her small town, she navigated cultural isolation with a love for reading and storytelling. A graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, Cai cut her teeth in the digital media world, interning at The Atlantic and writing for BuzzFeed, GQ, and The Cut. Her newsletter, Deez Links, launched in 2016, became a cultural touchstone, amassing nearly 24,000 subscribers with its witty takes on internet trends and media.
Her time at BuzzFeed was pivotal, exposing her to a diverse community of Asian American peers who inspired her to explore her identity. This blend of personal and professional growth set the stage for her move to Vanity Fair in 2021, where she covers celebrity, style, and culture with a Gen Z-savvy edge.
Delia Cai’s Unforgettable Stories
Cai’s debut novel, Central Places, published in 2023 by Ballantine Books, is a poignant coming-of-age tale. It follows Audrey Zhou, a Chinese American New Yorker who returns to her Illinois hometown with her white fiancé, confronting past resentments and cultural divides. Critics, including Vogue and The Guardian, praised its razor-sharp observations on identity, family, and the Midwest, with the Today show naming it a top book of 2023.
Her newsletter, Deez Links, is another cornerstone of her work, blending humor and cultural critique. Highlighted by The New York Times and Fortune, it pioneered the Substack wave of the 2020s. In 2024, Cai launched the viral Hate Read pop-up newsletter, a playful blog that captured media buzz. Her Vanity Fair articles, covering topics like TikTok’s impact on New York Fashion Week and the rise of “quiet quitting,” showcase her knack for dissecting modern culture.
Cai’s style is intimate yet incisive, weaving personal anecdotes with broader societal themes. Influenced by writers like Jenny Zhang and the early 2010s Jezebel era, she crafts stories that feel like catching up with a witty friend who’s unafraid to dig deep.
Why Delia Cai Matters
Delia Cai’s work bridges the personal and universal, offering a fresh voice in Asian American literature. Her exploration of cultural identity and homecoming resonates with readers navigating their own in-between spaces. By blending journalism’s immediacy with fiction’s emotional depth, she’s redefining how we talk about belonging in a fragmented world. Her success as a self-made writer—from newsletter maven to celebrated novelist—inspires a new generation of storytellers.
At a time when representation matters, Cai’s Midwest-rooted, Chinese American perspective challenges stereotypes and enriches the literary landscape. Her ability to turn personal struggles into universal narratives makes her a vital voice in contemporary culture.
- Born: Madison, Wisconsin
- Key Works: Central Places (2023), Deez Links newsletter, Vanity Fair articles
- Education: Missouri School of Journalism
- Notable Recognition: Central Places named a Today show best book of 2023
Snag Central Places and dive into Delia Cai’s heartfelt, hilarious world of identity and homecoming!