I’m gonna show you the cover of my next book,” said Lang Leav, swiping away on her phone before turning the screen towards me.

“Poemsia,” the title read. On the cover is an illustration of a girl in a striped black and white top, her hair tousled and loosely braided.

When it comes out later this year, the book will be Lang’s eighth (and her second novel).

“It’s about a girl, she becomes a poet. It’s obviously not, you know, my story,” Lang said, laughing.

It could be her story.

Bestsellers

Lang Leav’s poetry leapt from the pages of Tumblr and onto bestseller lists starting with the release of her first book “Love & Misadventure” in 2013.

She helped usher in the poetry movement that has since taken over the publishing world. She’s released bestselling book after bestselling book and recently went on her first US book tour. Fans of her work keep multiplying—she has legions of them in all corners of the globe, including the Philippines.

In Manila, she gets recognized everywhere. “As soon as I stepped off the plane, I got pulled over for a selfie and then I got like five immigration officers messaging me on Instagram and saying, ’Oh, I just saw you go past, I didn’t get to say hi, I was busy.’ I thought that was so cute.”

Lang is in the country again for book signing events with National Book Store to promote her latest collection of poetry and prose “Love Looks Pretty On You.” National Book Store released a special edition—it’s even prettier with pink accents. “It’s probably one of the best-looking of all my books. I’m really happy with it.”

Most personal

“Love Looks Pretty On You” has been her fastest selling book, said Lang. It’s been number one on the Straits Times bestsellers list for two weeks now. Lang said, “I think out of all the books, this one just came together so organically. I just found myself writing quite a lot.”

The book, which she considers her most personal yet, feels like a culmination of the last decade for Lang. “The last 10 years of my life have been me just finding my way, finding my voice, finding my feet and being able to stand on my own two feet and be completely self-reliant. That’s what I want for all women.”

Lang is excited about the signings inMegamall and Alabang Town Center. “I’m excited to see all my fans, say hello and give them a hug,” she said.

She has readers flying in from places like Singapore to see her.

Someone else is excited to be there—Lang’s mom who is traveling with her. “It would be surreal for her. She was a refugee in Thailand and then she came to Australia. She never expected any of this. No one in my family did. It’s been surreal for her being here and seeing the way people have reacted to me.”

Lang has always used social media to connect with her readers and while she continues to do that, she doesn’t spend as much time on it as she used to. “I hop on and off,” she said. “I’ve had a few people say, ‘Oh, did you know about the drama with your book?’” And I was like, ‘No, I have no idea.’ I suppose you get better at it and you don’t get so absorbed into any drama. It just glides off you. It’s such a healthy thing to do, especially since there’s so much misinformation online. I’ve read the most ridiculous things about me and I just wonder how these strange rumors originate.”

Two lives

In some ways, Lang is living two lives. In one, she’s a famous jetsetting writer who is met with excited screams at signings in different cities. In the other, she’s a family woman living an idyllic life by the sea in New Zealand with her partner Michael Faudet and stepson Oliver. “It’s nice having all the craziness but in small bursts. I’m really spoiled and lucky to have that. But you know, I like to spend my time quietly. I’m quite introverted.”

Lang met Michael 10 years ago. “I started doing the Tumblr thing after I met Michael so it feels like that has blossomed together with my career. I’m lucky to have met someone who’s really supportive of what I do. He said ’I’ve had my career so it’s your turn now.’ He was like, ’It’s your turn to be in the spotlight.’ I think a lot of men talk about feminism but what he’s done is he’s really been a true feminist in the way that he’s absolutely happy for me to take centerstage.”

Michael has also released poetry and prose collections including “Dirty Pretty Things” and “Smoke & Mirrors.” Lang is excited for him to finish his gothic novella “Zana,” which readers can get a glimpse of on Wattpad. “Michael’s a very visual writer. It’s going to be a very rich and gorgeous book… I just felt like I had a front row seat to a really amazing and unique literary voice. I want him to put it out there.”

Lang has another family—her fans. “I feel like we’re one big family in a strange way. Sometimes they call me mom,” she said, laughing. “It’s one of the jokes I have with my fans. I feel that sort of maternal love for them. I know it’s a bit weird and creepy but that’s the way I feel. I just really care about them I want the best for them and I want them to to go for their dreams and to achieve them.”