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About the Author

John Koenig created The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows in 2009. What started as a blog grew into a YouTube series and, in 2021, a book. He's a writer and designer whose work spans graphic design, creative writing, and voice acting. Born in Idaho and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, he now lives in Minneapolis with his wife and daughter.

"It’s undeniably thrilling to find words for our strangest feelings…Koenig casts light into lonely corners of human experience…An enchanting book."

—The Washington Post

Jouska

Cover image for the Jouska word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Covalent Bond

Cover image for the Covalent Bond word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Licotic

Cover image for the Licotic word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Beloiter

a person sitting at a slot machine

Ne’er-Be-Gone

Cover image for the Ne’er-Be-Gone word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Justing

Cover image for the Justing word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

A book that poetically defines emotions that we all feel but haven't had the words to express—until now.

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