Picture a Chinese-Filipino storyteller weaving tales of love, identity, and kilig-filled adventures in the heart of Manila—meet Mae Coyiuto! This rising star in young adult fiction has captured hearts with her vibrant novels, like Chloe and the Kaishao Boys, blending cultural richness with the universal joys and struggles of growing up. With a knack for humor and a deep love for her heritage, Coyiuto is redefining YA literature with stories that feel like a warm hug from your favorite tita.
The Making of Mae Coyiuto
Born and raised in Manila, Mae Coyiuto grew up in a Chinese-Filipino community, surrounded by the lively chaos of family expectations and cultural traditions. Her love for storytelling sparked early—by age eight, she was doodling comics and sneaking onto her mom’s computer to craft stories with PowerPoint clip art. After earning a BA in Psychology from Pomona College and a Master’s in Writing for Young Adults from The New School, Coyiuto honed her craft, drawing inspiration from rom-coms like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and her own experiences navigating bicultural identity.
Mae Coyiuto’s Unforgettable Stories
Coyiuto’s novels are a delightful mix of heart, humor, and cultural depth. Her breakout hit, Chloe and the Kaishao Boys (2023), follows Chloe Liang, a Chinese-Filipina teen grappling with her dream of studying animation in the US while her dad sets her up on a whirlwind of arranged dates for her debut. The novel’s witty banter, rooted in Filipino and Hokkien phrases, and its exploration of family and self-discovery earned it a spot as a New York Public Library Best Book of 2023. Her earlier work, The Year We Became Invincible (2015), traces a high school senior’s reflective journey through love and friendship, showcasing Coyiuto’s knack for emotional resonance. Even her first book, Flight to the Stars (2010), a collection of YA stories written at age 16, hints at her lifelong passion for capturing the teenage experience.
Coyiuto’s style is playful yet poignant, weaving rom-com tropes like love triangles with deeper themes of racism, LGBTQIA+ acceptance, and bicultural identity. Her Manila settings burst with local flavor—think Ben&Ben tunes and Chickenjoy references—making her stories a love letter to the Philippines. Readers adore her relatable characters, from quirky aunties to teens chasing dreams against family pressures.
Why Mae Coyiuto Matters
As the first Philippine-based author to publish a YA novel with Penguin Random House, Coyiuto is blazing a trail for Filipino voices in global literature. Her stories shine a spotlight on Chinese-Filipino culture, challenging stereotypes and celebrating diversity in a genre often dominated by Western narratives. By tackling tough topics like traditional mindsets with humor and heart, she invites readers worldwide to connect with Filipino experiences. Coyiuto’s work resonates with teens and adults alike, offering a fresh perspective on the universal quest for identity and belonging.
- Born: Manila, Philippines
- Key Works: Chloe and the Kaishao Boys, The Year We Became Invincible, Flight to the Stars
- Notable Achievement: First Philippine-based author published by Penguin Random House
- Fun Fact: She’s a huge Beyoncé and Gilmore Girls fan!
Snag Chloe and the Kaishao Boys and dive into Mae Coyiuto’s sparkling world of rom-coms and self-discovery—you’ll be laughing, crying, and craving more kilig by the last page!