You must be my lucky star.

In late October, I found out that Snakes Can’t Run tied for the Members’ Choice Award at the Asian American Literary Awards. In all honesty, Karen Tei Yamashita‘s I-Hotel is much better than my book. I am incredibly honored to be attached to her name by sharing the prize.

Incidentally, it’s my third Members’ Choice Award. Waylaid won it in 2003 and This Is a Bust followed in 2008. So not only has every published book that I’ve written won this award, but I am the first author to win three Asian American Literary Awards.

This particular award is special, the only one I care about, really. The general membership votes for their favorite book out of 50 or so, covering everything — fiction, poetry and nonfiction. Everybody gets to vote for anything.

I am incredibly honored and humbled. Thank you all so much.