What happened after the last post? The Haunting Side of Internet Influencers: Q/A with Liann Zhang, debut author of Julie Chan Is Dead

Title: Julie Chan Is Dead

Author: Liann Zhang

Number of Pages: 320

Publishing Date:  29 April 2025

Genre: Asian Representation, Young-Adult, Murder mystery, Thriller

In a world obsessed with curated perfection, Liann Zhang dares to ask: what’s really hiding behind the feed?

Liann Zhang is the mind behind Julie Chan Is Dead, a debut thriller that’s as razor-sharp as it is unsettling. With a background steeped in storytelling that blends psychological tension and cultural insight, Zhang brings a fresh, bold voice to the genre. Her work pulls you in with the glittering lure of social media glamour — and then rips the façade away to expose the dark secrets lurking underneath. With biting wit and nerve-shredding tension, Zhang crafts a story about a young woman who slips into her twin’s glittering, influencer-perfect life — only to find herself tangled in something far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

In Julie Chan Is Dead, we meet Julie, a supermarket cashier who steps into the life of her late twin sister Chloe — a famous influencer whose perfect online persona hides more than anyone ever realized. What begins as a daring reinvention quickly spirals into a deadly game of deception, secrets, and survival. Set against the glossy, high-stakes world of influencer culture, Zhang's novel is a chilling exploration of identity, envy, and the dangers hidden behind the filters.

In today’s Q&A, Liann Zhang opens up about crafting this twisted tale, how she tackled writing about influencer culture, her inspirations, her love of messy, complicated characters, and why Julie Chan Is Dead feels terrifyingly real in an era when image is everything, how this is much more than just a thriller — it’s a story about the masks we wear, online and off.

Q. This book is your debut—congratulations! What has surprised you the most about the publishing process?

A. Thank you! Honestly, I don't think a lot has surprised me, and it's only because I've read so many articles and forum posts about what surprised other authors, that anything that should have surprised me, I already know about. If that makes sense. But I'm incredibly grateful for all the fellow debut authors who I've been able to connect to during this exciting time, and the resounding support of readers everywhere!

Q. What inspired you to write Julie Chan Is Dead, and how did you come up with such a thrilling and unique premise?

A. I think a lot of JULIE CHAN had been brewing in my brain for a long while. I just wasn't sure how to put it all together! These crazy hijinks from influencers are based off many things I've seen during my years of being chronically online, and I'm sure other people who have spent a lot of time scrolling would recognize them too. Some parts from the latter half of the novel, was directly inspired by a brand trip I saw a lot of influencers go on near the tail-end of COVID. It was crazy to see so many people suffering from the pandemic, then going online to see a bunch of rich, famous, beautiful and already privileged influencers go on a private island retreat. When I watched those videos, I always thought about how we only get to see a small sliver of what they do on these influencer getaways... what happens during the hours they don't film?

Q. The book dives deep into the influencer world. What kind of research did you do to capture the glitz, glam, and underlying darkness of this lifestyle?

A. I honestly didn't have to do much research. All of the glitz and glamour are things I've seen with my own eyes through vlogs. It was a pretty simple process to put what I've watched into words--mostly, because I've just seen so much of it! So many influencers out there openly showing their luxurious life. Parts of some dynamics and scenes were also influenced by my own experience during my short time as a content creator on Instagram. I had the pleasure of attending a few events then. 

Q. Julie and Chloe are such distinct yet intertwined characters. What was the most challenging part of writing their dynamic?

A. I think the most challenging part was finding a way to show Chloe's POV in the book. It's hard since, you know, she's dead! I had to get clever with how I showed her thoughts through the novel. Especially the side of Chloe she didn't share on the internet.

Q. The island retreat and the people there feel like a whole another story in itself. How did you craft such an atmospheric and tense setting all while adding some of the least discussed & controversial topics?

I think putting all the characters on a isolated island inherently creates tension in the setting itself. The reader knows they are stuck there, without escape. (Uh oh!) The characters become incredibly insulated, which would lead to more drama and tension, and things to pop off. In a way, the island retreat could mirror anonymous group chats, where the girls are able to speak their mind, and do silly things, without the rest of the world watching on. It's curious to see what people might say, think, or do when they know other people aren't watching, and when they are surrounded by yes-(wo)men. The worst parts of them might come alive, y'know? Then those controversial topics just come out naturally.

Q. The story touches on themes of identity, envy, and privilege. Was there a particular message you wanted readers to take away?

A. At the end of the day, all societal structure is rooted in privilege, which goes hand-in-hand with race, class, etc. You can't change what type of environment you're born into, but you can certainly acknowledge it in a fair way. And I think as consumers of media, we need to be more critical of what we are supporting/consuming. We need to really think about who these people are, what are their true intentions, and just really critically analyze Why and What and WHO we are listening to.

Q. What was your favorite scene to write, and which scene kept you awake at night, thinking, ‘How am I going to pull this off?

There's a particular scene in the second half that I was super excited to write. The scene is mostly intact from the original, and while I wasn't kept awake from thinking how I would pull it off, I was more concerned about the reception. I know some people might not gel with what's shown, but I also sincerely believe that the girls that get it, get it, and those are the people I'm writing for!! I am so grateful to the people who are receptive to that scene. Our brains work in similar ways!!

Q. Julie’s journey is filled with morally gray decisions. How do you, as the creator, feel about her choices?

A. I think Julie, is in part, wish fulfilment. I mean, don't we all want to be a vapid, rich, privileged influencer some days? I think she's sometimes a mirror version of myself, if I existed with less empathy and zero concern of consequences ahaha. But sometimes, her shamelessness also makes her admirable. 

Q. Are there any authors, books, or media that influenced your writing style or inspired this novel?

A. Yellowface by RF Kuang came out while I was writing the book. The positive way it was received really empowered me to believe in Julie, and to write a character that might be disliked and controversial. I was also influenced by Bunny by Mona Awad, and the girl-cult. Similarly, movies like Midsommar, Triangle of Sadness, The Menu, and Yellow Jackets are totally my speed and helped inspire some elements of the book. In terms of writing style/voice, a lot of it is my own, in the way that a lot of the way I speak is directly influenced by online/Tik Tok lingo. So, I should probably also acknowledge that. A lot of my sense of humor is directly absorbed from my time online. It's built my personality!

Q. Without giving too much away, do you have plans for more stories in this world, or are you working on something new? Can you give us a hint?

A. I don't plan to continue Julie's story. But I am working on a new horror novel! It's a modern day re-telling of a famous Chinese horror story. :) I'm also brainstorming a new novel that's tangentially related to the influencer world, but not influencers perse. I've had enough of them!