As an Asian American who lives in rural Appalachia and whose writing doesn’t fit neatly into any particular box, I know how important visibility and representation are. I’m so thankful that this anthology series exists in the first place, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. Let it be known that editing an anthology is HARD work; therefore, special thanks to judge Deesha Philyaw and Keith Pilapil Lesmeister at EastOver Press.
My story “Baghdad, Florida” is featured in the “other distinguished stories” section of The Best American Short Stories of 2024, edited by literary superhero Lauren Groff. Special thanks to Sacha Idell and The Southern Review.
Very cool to see my own short piece “The Thirty-Eighth Parallel” popping up in my inbox this morning. If you aren’t already subscribed to Short Reads, I highly recommend it! A little weekly email treat.
Special thanks to Hattie Fletcher for making it happen!
One of my favorite new discoveries is Short Reads, “a free literary magazine emailed every Wednesday morning featuring flash nonfiction.” You can imagine my delight when they told me they’re reprinting my piece “The Thirty-Eighth Parallel” in early February. That piece was first published in a beloved but sadly now-defunct Canadian art journal, so I’m thrilled “The Thirty-Eighth Parallel” is finding a new home.
If you’re an educator, SR’s flash nonfiction is great for short lessons in creative writing as well. More info here: https://www.short-reads.org/
Special thanks to literary hero Hattie Fletcher for reaching out.
Lots of excellence in this shortlist, including Torli Bush, who’s an alum at West Virginia Wesleyan. I’m a core faculty member. Laura Jackson and Sherrie Flick are published by Autumn House Press, an award-winning independent press in Pittsburgh. I’m proud to serve on Autumn House’s Board.
I’ve been in love with this journal ever since reading Brenda Miller’s “The Case Against Metaphor” in a dusty copy I found on the sixth floor of Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning back in 2004. Two decades later, I’m thrilled to say I have an essay in the current issue of Fourth Genre. It’s about adoption secrets and being Asian American during the pandemic.
Even cooler, I’m published alongside Pitt professor Marissa Landrigan, whose lyric essay effortlessly and gracefully connects childbirth, physical/personal space, and birds.
Bloomfield is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. I was lucky enough to live there between my Oakland and Squirrel Hill eras. Imagine my delight when Sherrie Flick reached out and asked me to host a Walk & Write in the city. Here’s the event description we came up with:
“Join host Sherrie Flick as we explore the streets of Bloomfield with guest writer Robert Yune. We’ll think about history, memory, and place as it manifests in front of us. There will be walking, writing prompts, an opportunity to write, and live readings by Robert of his own work.”
Now in its fourth season, the Walk & Write Tour Series, led by local writer Sherrie Flick, traverses city neighborhoods and introduces tour-goers to various walking trails and footpaths. This season includes Flick working with guest writers, each exploring a different neighborhood and theme.
Back at it again: in roughly a month, I’ll be reading at the Hemingway’s Poetry Series on Tues July 9 with local literary heroes Jen Ashburn, Taylor Grieshober, Sharon Fagan McDermott, and Romella Kitchens.
Can’t wait to check out our new venue: “the new venue at Hop Farm Brewing will allow us to expand programming, bring back the open mic, and provide a setting with outstanding brews and other beverages, delicious food and a larger space.”
Details: Tues July 9. Hop Farm Brewing Co. at 5601 Butler Street in Lawrenceville. Starts 7pm.
During tax season, most surprises aren’t pleasant. However, thanks to a tax form that accidentally got sent to my parents’ house, I’ve learned that, as of now, both of my books have earned out!
(If you’re not familiar with publishing, it costs publishers thousands of dollars to copyedit, design, and promote a book. Most books don’t earn enough to recoup those costs.) I now earn royalties on sales, which is pretty cool.
I’d like to thank everyone who gave me feedback in workshop, attended a book launch or reading, everyone who picked up a copy, reviewed it, folks who taught it, and everyone who helped share the word.
Special thanks to everyone at Thought Catalog Books (Mink Choi and Chris Lavergne) & Sarabande (Sarah Gorham, Kristen Renee Miller, Danika Isdahl & Emma the copywriter). Also, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Jane Mccafferty, Matthew Salesses, Chuck Kinder, Abby Geni, Stewart O’Nan, Paul Yoon, Jeff Condran, and Geeta Kothari for their blurbs.
Also, Alban Fischer, who designed the lovely cover of IMPOSSIBLE CHILDREN, and Mink Choi, whose support helped launch my writing career. I could not have finished IMPOSSIBLE CHILDREN without sage feedback from Salvatore Pane, Kara Hughes, Nicole Lobdell, and Sarah Harris Wallman.
Those launch parties wouldn’t have been the same without support from Lesley Rains, the crew at White Whale Books and Coffee & readers Sherrie Flick, Jeffrey Condran & Adri Ramirez.
Making these posts is a humbling reminder of how books are creations and byproducts of a whole community. I’m so grateful to all these folks (and so many more) for all their help and support.
Sal Pane is a fascinating young man who has a lot of interesting things to say about Pitt’s MFA program in Creative Writing, cats, Italy, Japan, filmmaking, monkeys, bad fashion, and whiskey. We hope you’ll be able to join us for this raucously intellectual event.
Robert Yune 