The article explores AUTHOR Anthony Veasna So died of a drug overdose on December 8, 2020. His first book, the short story collection Afterparties , was published on August 3, 2021, and was named one of the top 100 Notable Books of 2021 by The New York Times—almost a year after his death. So died before he could see the rave reviews for his collection, before it was selected for Roxane Gay's book club, and even before the edits were finalized. In many ways.