The trailer for the animated version of my dystopian sci-fi story I Hope You’re Happy has been released by Storiaverse. The story takes place in the state of Bliss, where the only crime punishable by death is crying. Storiaverse combines original animation with text to create a unique interactive reading experience. Coming in March 2024.

In the State of Bliss, the only crime punishable by death is crying.

It isn’t a difficult law to enforce, given the rarity of the offense. In fact, there hasn’t been an execution in Bliss for decades—nary a tear has been shed in over 50 years. Babies in Bliss are born quiet and serene, passing through their mothers’ hips like wet grapes through pursed lips: just a soft little pop sound, and the newborns emerge into the world with smiles on their faces and birdsong in their lungs.

That’s what made Fiona’s reaction all the more unusual: she was absolutely sobbing with despair. Uncontrollably, inconsolably sobbing.