ABOUT THE BOOK
In But I Don't Feel Empowered, poet and artist Suri Chan harnesses the power of beautiful language and whimsical illustrations to speak on both the lighthearted and heartbreaking experiences that bind us.
But I Don’t Feel Empowered is Suri Chan’s debut collection of honest, free-verse and whimsically illustrated poems. She explores themes of heartbreak, womanhood, and trauma from the lens of a queer Asian woman coming of age.
This collection is earnest in its belief that healing is about accepting your emotions as they are. And in a world that asks you to be empowered at all times, it asks you to just be.
Deeply moving and thought-provoking, But I Don’t Feel Empowered solidifies Suri as an artist to watch and a voice to root for.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Suri Chan – known for the popular Instagram account @poemsbysuri – is a prize-winning poet. She speaks to women, the queer Asian community, and anyone with big feelings. Suri is a migrant from a long line of migrants. Her work is inspired by her ancestors – the ones who created food that tasted like home with the herbs of their new land. Their ingredients were simple: nuts, shredded veggies, sweet sauce. But the resulting meal was always grand. Suri likes to think she does the same with everyday words. Follow Suri on social media for new poems and relatable life takes: Instagram: @poemsbysuri, TikTok: @surichanpoet.
ABOUT THE INTERLOCUTOR
Elizabeth Su, MA (she/her) is a mixed Chinese American writer, creative, and the founder of Monday Vibes, a newsletter focused on women’s empowerment and uplifting AAPI voices. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, where she researched burnout and perfectionism. Her work has been featured in the LA Times and centers around topics such as self-love, intersectionality, and the multifaceted nature of being human. When she’s not writing (or trying to smash the patriarchy), you can find her dancing in the kitchen, binge-watching the latest YA series, or finding the hottest boba spot in town. The redwoods are her happy place.
