"How do we make space and time for the endless to do list along with the mess of who we are?" Maintaining the Energy for Activism When You’re Struggling to Pay Rent: @rachellayown.bsky.social interviews @juliewbach.bsky.social about Work To Do (University of Iowa Press). ➡️ buff.ly/5v044fx

Grab some coffee and start ACCOMPLISHMENT SUNDAY with an interview☀️ Contributor @rachellayown.bsky.social talked about her novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY with @normanb.bsky.social for Life Elsewhere ✨ Listen here: buff.ly/mRG495H

The Podcast Just Dropped! open.spotify.com/episode/4VRT... My conversation with talented author @rachellayown.bsky.social on her impressive new novel "How We See The Gray" @nupress.bsky.social

Reality As A Novel

Realistic fiction has always been a mainstay of literature. The examples are many, I have my own list of favorites. Documenting real life issues can also present a conundrum; how far does the write…

wp.me

This conversation was such a treat. @normanb.bsky.social is a delight. Please tune in on Sunday—or catch the episode wherever you listen to podcasts!

Norman B@normanb.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Just wrapped an engaging conversation with talented author @rachellayown.bsky.social The show airs Sunday 21 at 12pm ET on The Source HD3 www.wmnf.org/listen/hd-3/

Chicago! I’ll be in conversation with the brilliant Alison Kinney about writing hard stories in hard times at Pilsen Community Books tonight at 7. Please join us! www.pilsencommunitybooks.com/events/20260...

A big thank you to @rachellayown.bsky.social for alerting me to Low Mimetic by La Historia via her superb novel, How We See The Gray. Looking forward to our upcoming conversation lahistoria.bandcamp.com/album/low-mi...

Happy happy pub day @jenstjude.bsky.social!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 2mo ago

"It almost comes naturally to me, to dream and create this way." @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @jenstjude.bsky.social on "Where You’ll Find Us" (@kidsbloomsbury.bsky.social) is out now. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/02/w...

"It almost comes naturally to me, to dream and create this way." @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @jenstjude.bsky.social on "Where You’ll Find Us" (@kidsbloomsbury.bsky.social) is out now. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/06/02/w...

We Can Be That Home For Each Other: An Interview with Jen St. Jude  about “Where You’ll Find Us” - Chicago Review of Books

Our interview with Jen St. Jude about their new novel, "Where You'll Find Us."

chireviewofbooks.com

Book 31: How We See The Gray, by @rachellayown.bsky.social. We read novels to learn and to be entertained. This novel does an amazing job at both. open.substack.com/pub/thenewdo... #books #booksky

How We See The Gray, by Rachel León: A Big 'Ole Dose of Empathy

It's not an exaggeration to say reading this novel will make you a better person.

open.substack.com

SUNDAY SALON CHICAGO was fun last night 5/24 at 7 pm at @roscoebooks.bsky.social, w/ a full house. TY to all who came out to support the store & these 5 talents: @frugalpoet.bsky.social (Cynthia Gallaher), Mary Kay Zuravleff, @rachellayown.bsky.social, Melanie Faranello & @jrblanes.bsky.social ❤️👏🌈

Chicago! Tonight! Join us!

Ignatius Valentine Aloysius@ignatius2u.bsky.social · 2mo ago

SUNDAY SALON CHICAGO's reading event happens tonight, May 24 at 7 pm at magical @roscoebooks.bsky.social w/ these fab five authors: @frugalpoet.bsky.social, Mary Kay Zuravleff, @rachellayown.bsky.social, Melanie Faranello & @jrblanes.bsky.social – Pls share, TY, & see you there!🔥👏❤️

This is tonight!!! We hope to see you @theunderstudychi.bsky.social to celebrate @rachellayown.bsky.social's debut novel!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

We’re thrilled for @rachellayown.bsky.social's debut novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY forthcoming tomorrow (!!!) from @nupress.bsky.social. She’ll be in conversation at the @theunderstudychi.bsky.social w/ @meganstielstra.bsky.social on May 21 at 7:30pm—register below! www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversa...

Honored to see “Border Less” featured here, in excellent company. Thank you @debutiful.bsky.social and @rachellayown.bsky.social for spotlighting polyphonic stories that take risks with form and voice. 🙏🏽🤎 For more on each 📕, visit: debutiful.net/2026/05/18/t... (Images reposted from @debutiful )

Happy pub day, @rachellayown.bsky.social!

Happiest of happy Pub Days to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social's Managing Director @rachellayown.bsky.social. Go get your copy of Rachel's debut novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY now!!!! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/15/c...

Complicating the Idea of Foster Care: An Interview with Rachel León - Chicago Review of Books

A conversation with Rachel León on her debut novel, "How We See the Gray"

chireviewofbooks.com

"It’s funny because sensitivity is such a strength as a writer, but you really need to steel yourself to publish." - @rachellayown.bsky.social. Great little interview!

Greg Zimmerman@gregzimmerman.bsky.social · 3mo ago

"I don’t feel anxious or nervous. More like I’ve just taken off on a wild adventure, so I better enjoy the ride." LOVE this conversation between two brilliant writers, on the occasion of @rachellayown.bsky.social's PUB DAY!!! CC: @amyegia.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/pubcheer... #booksky

"I hope the novel lets people consider taking a step back and giving people grace and reflecting on how we all mess up...we’re all just trying." Annelies Zijderved's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on "How We See the Gray" (Curbstone Press) is out now. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/15/c...

Complicating the Idea of Foster Care: An Interview with Rachel León - Chicago Review of Books

A conversation with Rachel León on her debut novel, "How We See the Gray"

chireviewofbooks.com

"I don’t feel anxious or nervous. More like I’ve just taken off on a wild adventure, so I better enjoy the ride." LOVE this conversation between two brilliant writers, on the occasion of @rachellayown.bsky.social's PUB DAY!!! CC: @amyegia.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/pubcheer... #booksky

Interview with Rachel León

I am so thrilled to be running this interview today.

open.substack.com

We’re thrilled for @rachellayown.bsky.social's debut novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY forthcoming tomorrow (!!!) from @nupress.bsky.social. She’ll be in conversation at the @theunderstudychi.bsky.social w/ @meganstielstra.bsky.social on May 21 at 7:30pm—register below! www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversa...

It was so special to be interviewed by @rubyprosenthal.bsky.social, who is a serious delight. (Huge thanks, Ruby!)

Ruby Rosenthal@rubyprosenthal.bsky.social · 3mo ago

It was so special to interview @rachellayown.bsky.social about her DEBUT NOVEL!!!! which EVERYONE SHOULD GO BUY!!! (link in second comment) 🥳🥳🥳 lit.newcity.com/2026/05/14/w...

ICYMI: Contributor @recycledgiraffe.bsky.social published an interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social in @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! 👏 🤩 Check it out right here: buff.ly/qIDvgx6

💕 Always excited for a new book! 💕 Contributor @saralippmann.bsky.social just launched her new book HIDDEN RIVER & was interviewed by fellow contributor @rachellayown.bsky.social 👏 buff.ly/eBHPoTa

"It was important to maintain both generational integrity and cultural complicity while not erasing desire or complex feelings around agency." Read @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview w/ @saralippmann.bsky.social on "Hidden River" (@tortoisebooks.bsky.social). chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/05/d...

“Danger often lies under the cloak of safety”: A Conversation with Sara Lippmann - Chicago Review of Books

Sara Lippmann is an author I’m guaranteed to read; not just her books, but anything she publishes online: stories, essays, social media posts. If Sara Lippmann writes it, I want to read it. Her work i...

chireviewofbooks.com

Huge happy Pub Day to @saralippmann.bsky.social and HIDDEN RIVER! It's one of the @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social twelve must-reads for May, so if you live in the city you kinda have to get it. (Or at least read the interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social!) chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/05/d...

“Danger often lies under the cloak of safety”: A Conversation with Sara Lippmann - Chicago Review of Books

Sara Lippmann is an author I’m guaranteed to read; not just her books, but anything she publishes online: stories, essays, social media posts. If Sara Lippmann writes it, I want to read it. Her work i...

chireviewofbooks.com

This is soo good!!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

"Unionizing is passion protection. Because we’re really looking for a way to ensure that folks can sustain and have longevity in their jobs." Read @mbwwelch.bsky.social's interview w/ Maria Diaz, Andy Wang, and Darcy Glastonbury of the Hachette Workers Coalition. chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/04/o...

To see my book next to Jesmyn Ward’s?!? Pinch me. Huge thanks to @mbwwelch.bsky.social for including HWSTG and for the kind words!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This month’s list features an incredible and eclectic list of new releases that range in tone and perspective, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes, but they all carry a similar theme: tons and tons of style. Check out our picks for the must-read books of May! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/01/1...

So many great books headed your way in May ... including @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social Managing Director @rachellayown.bsky.social's debut novel, HOW WE SEE THE GRAY!!!!

Chicago Review of Books@chicagorevbooks.bsky.social · 3mo ago

This month’s list features an incredible and eclectic list of new releases that range in tone and perspective, our EIC @mbwwelch.bsky.social writes, but they all carry a similar theme: tons and tons of style. Check out our picks for the must-read books of May! chireviewofbooks.com/2026/05/01/1...

A delightful surprise in the mail today, @rachellayown.bsky.social's superb novel, How We See The Gray

“Escape as self-care, as opportunity for needed relaxation, as freedom.” @rachellayown.bsky.social reviews Lindsey Danis’s (Out) On the Road: The Radical Joy of Queer Travel (@igpublishing.bsky.social). ➡️ buff.ly/4tEX0HF

@rachellayown.bsky.social and Grace Spulak discuss resilience in fiction (and real life).

Interrogating the Heaviness: On Resilience in Fiction and Real Life

What role does fiction play in understanding systemic abuses of power and oppression? That’s a question Grace Spulak and I have wrestled with for years. We’re both fiction writers with a background…

buff.ly