Robert Yune
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robertyune.bsky.social
Robert Yune
@robertyune.bsky.social
200 followers 160 following 170 posts
Board member, Autumn House Press

Debut story collection 'Impossible Children' won the Mary McCarthy Prize, out now from Sarabande Books

Core faculty, West Virginia Low-Res MFA in Creative Writing Program

www.robertyune.com
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robertyune.bsky.social
"The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" was an absolute knockout of a collection, so I was beyond honored that my story was chosen by Deesha Philyaw to be included in this anthology. Thrilled to be in great company as well.
Third in a series, this anthology of short fiction is written by contemporary writers of color. Edited by Deesha Philyaw, the collection features work by Noah Alvarez, Victoria Ballesteros, Exodus Oktavia Brownlow, C.G. Crawford, Monic Ductan, LaTanya McQueen, Jennifer Morales, Ruby Hansen Murray, Michael Pacheco, Tisha Marie Reichle-Aguilera, Sarp Sozdinler, Sejal Shah, Dawn Tasaka Steffler, Sara J. Streeter, Lisa Wartenberg Vélez, and Robert Yune. While choosing stories for this volume of Rural Stories by Writers of Color, Philyaw wanted “weirdness, for sure,” along with “experimental” and “transgressive narratives.” In her introduction to the book, she writes, “The stories…gathered here are all this and more, in beautiful and unexpected ways.” The stories in this collection explore wooded areas, the desert, a basketball court, a shotgun house, trailer parks, the Osage Indian Reservation, and other locales critically important to the development of the stories and the characters therein. These stories explore region and place, to be sure, but they also deftly mine the psychological landscape of their characters and highlight the complicated experiences of those living in the rural parts of the U.S. Guest Editor Deesha Philyaw’s debut short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, won the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the 2020/2021 Story Prize, and the 2020 LA Times Book Prize: The Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, and was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction. Philyaw is a Kimbilio Fiction Fellow, a Baldwin for the Arts Fellow, a United States Artists Fellow, and co-host of two podcasts, Ursa Short Fiction (with Dawnie Walton) and Reckon True Stories (with Kiese Laymon). She is currently at work developing TV shows based on her short fiction. Philyaw’s debut novel, The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman, is forthcoming from Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, in 2026.
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of What Mennonite Girls Are Good For, and I can honestly say it was one of the best collections I've read in the past decade. And I read A LOT.

Haunting & upsetting in the best way possible. Super-relevant and urgent. Highly recommended.

jennifer-sears.com
In these eleven stories, a Mennonite minister’s daughter moves from a youthful, exuberant understanding of her family’s faith toward religious doubt. Stumbling comically at times, Ruthie navigates life with and without the rules in which she’s been raised. Always physical, often sexual, Ruthie’s search for personal truth leads her from missionary outposts in Paraguay and Brazil to Mennonite towns in northern Indiana and central Kansas, a vandalized Native American site, women’s healthcare clinics, and lingerie shops on the secular, melancholy East Coast. Ultimately, these stories consider how faith and identity intertwine, the cost of abandoning one’s cultural heritage, and the complicated longing for return.
November 12, 2025 at 11:31 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Weekend reading w/ Biss & Borges
A photo of Collected Fictions by Borges and Having and Being Had by Biss
November 8, 2025 at 10:07 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Kazansky's. Gullifty's. Zaw's. Sammy's Famous Corned Beef downtown. Weep with me.
November 1, 2025 at 8:03 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Grateful for this Ohio weekend full of ambient rage & menace @aubreyhirsch.bsky.social @danchaon.bsky.social
The books "One of Us" and "Graphic Rage," by Dan Chaon and Aubrey Hirsch, respectively
October 19, 2025 at 11:00 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
I tried to pre-order @aubreyhirsch.bsky.social 's latest book, but it turns out it was just published! Can't wait for this one to arrive.
A confirmation order for Aubrey Hirsch's book "Graphic Rage."
October 12, 2025 at 12:01 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
I have never smashed the "buy" link faster. It's #bandcampfriday, by the way! At least for an hour and 18 minutes.
Nala Sinephro wrote the soundtrack for The Smashing Machine! This pic is an ad for it on Youtube
October 4, 2025 at 2:43 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
This image has been floating around the internet, so I decided to check for myself. YIKES.
A chart of "interest over time" for the phrase "bankruptcy lawyer" searched for on Google
October 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
I know this is off-brand, but my feelings about this man have long (Pittsburgh) roots.
A photo of Bill Belichick and the caption "Bill Belichick is finding out that coaching college students isn't as easy as dating them."
September 25, 2025 at 2:44 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
Amazing how time flies. One of my favorite albums during high school and beyond. Holds up pretty well, too!
DJ Shadow holding a promo poster for his album Endtroducing.
September 17, 2025 at 2:05 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
I have been looking forward to this book release for years now. Can't wait to see two of my favorite writers in one place!
Tyler McAndrew "My Prisoner & Other Stories" (w/ William Lychack) book release party. Thurs Sept 11 from 7-9pm. Details at White Whale Books' website.
September 3, 2025 at 2:52 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
Lol.
A headline from Yahoo sports about UNC football being good.
September 2, 2025 at 2:47 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
For the writers out there: Microsoft claims it's not scraping everything you type into MS Word to train its AI programs. In case you don't believe them, here's how to opt out:
On a Windows PC, the steps include going to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings > Optional Connected Experiences and unchecking the box.
August 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
"Biblical strength." Explain, @disney
Screenshot of 3 trailers for the upcoming Tron movie, each of which refers to Biblical strength
August 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Looking forward to chatting with debut novelist Katie Yee in Pittsburgh tomorrow. 7pm at White Whale Books in Bloomfield. Hope yinz can make it!

More details: whitewhalebookstore.com/events
July 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
NGL, parts of this jog were terrifying. Never change, #Pittsburgh #Cardio
A map of a jog along the North Side
July 29, 2025 at 1:29 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
One week from today, I'll be chatting with Katie Yee @emergencychampagne.bsky.social about her debut novel.

If you're in or near Pittsburgh, the event is at White Whale Bookstore in Bloomfield. Thurs July 31 at 7pm.

Hope you can join us!

More info: whitewhalebookstore.com/events
Summer’s Best Beach Reads by The New York Times • Books You Should Read This July by New York magazine • Books We’re Most Excited About by Today • Best Beach Reads by Harper’s Bazaar • Best Books of Summer by ELLE • Most Anticipated Books of the Summer by Time • Best Summer Reads by Oprah Daily • Books to Read this Summer by The Washington Post “Feels pleasurably like clicking through the back archives of a webcomic or lingering over lunch with an old friend. As with Nora Ephron’s Heartburn…you read Maggie to spend time with its author.” —The Washington Post A Chinese American woman spins tragedy into comedy when her life falls apart in a taut, wry debut novel that grapples with grief, motherhood, and myths—perfect for fans of Joan Is Okay and Crying in H Mart.
July 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Two weeks from now, I get to be in conversation with @emergencychampagne.bsky.social, whose debut novel is BUZZING. If you're in PIttsburgh, please consider joining us!

July 31 in person or on Zoom. White Whale Bookstore in Pittsburgh, 7pm.
“Yee is an attentive storyteller, empathetic to all her characters, even Maggie. Readers drawn to nuanced domestic narratives will find much to savor.” —Publishers Weekly “A light and nimble debut novel about some of life’s most devastating events...this a novel that crackles with heartfelt intelligence and wit....A funny, stirring novel about resilience.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “In this comedic and heartbreaking debut novel, the narrator confronts her grief head-on, from naming the growing tumor inside of her Maggie to developing a user manual guide for her ex’s new woman.” —Harper’s Bazaar, “best beach reads of 2025 “An absolutely delightful debut! Katie Yee’s novel about a wife and mother whose world is crumbling becomes an inspiring story of growth and wonder. Highly recommended!” —Elin Hilderbrand, author of Swan Song “Buoyant and profound...surprisingly optimistic and touching, a portrait of everyday resilience and bravery.” —The Today Show
July 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Can't wait for this event on July 31, where I'll be in convo w/ @emergencychampagne.bsky.social. There's a special energy that accompanies debut books and authors--in addition to the buzz around this book. Hope you can make it!

Details: whitewhalebookstore.com/events/47324
Reading & Conversation: Katie Yee, "Maggie; Or a Man and Woman Walk into a Bar" w/Robert Yune Thursday July 31st, 2025 @ 7:00PM - 8:00PM
July 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
This closing line from "Decapitated" by ‪@tsvoboda.bsky.social‬ , from Issue 29 of The Common. Whole piece online here: www.thecommononline.org/decapitated/ #ProudSubscriber
A screenshot of the story, with the following text highlighted: "Art is play with desire, and desire always comes down to touch."
July 7, 2025 at 11:33 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
"tax-cut bill."
A headline from Reuters: " After all- night debate, US Senate begins vote on Trump's $3.3 trillion tax-cut bill"
July 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
. @pronounced-ing.bsky.social Saw this and thought of you.
A post of German phrases that sound similar but have wildly different meanings. One example is "the spiders" and "they are crazy."
June 24, 2025 at 7:16 PM
robertyune.bsky.social
Sorry if I'm stepping on a bit, but acc the Rogue One Ult Visual Guide, they're "coded key cylinders." Before my enlightenment, I'd thought they were microphones or recording devices.
June 19, 2025 at 3:52 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
I'd like to paraphrase this lady: the alt-right and similar movements will thrive as long as people (esp leftists) find it entertaining and engage, thereby throwing money at bad actors.
June 19, 2025 at 3:40 AM
robertyune.bsky.social
Popping in to say that this was a fantastic movie. Great concept, lots of twists, well-acted and funny. One of the best horror-thrillers I've seen in a while. Highly recommended. #companionmovie
A movie poster featuring a woman in a pink shirt and headband. Her eyes are milky white.
June 19, 2025 at 3:33 AM