Rachel León
@rachellayown.bsky.social
writer | editor | social worker
managing director @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social
editor of THE ROCKFORD ANTHOLOGY (out now!)
debut novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY (May 2026)
(she/they)
https://linktr.ee/rachelleon
managing director @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social
editor of THE ROCKFORD ANTHOLOGY (out now!)
debut novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY (May 2026)
(she/they)
https://linktr.ee/rachelleon
Reposted by Rachel León
Reposted by Rachel León
We had such a fabulous time at the CHIRBys last night... And if there’s one thing we agree on, it’s that Chicago has the BEST literary community in the country!!!
@tvayyyy.bsky.social @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social @samiraahmed.bsky.social @eveewing.bsky.social @mbwwelch.bsky.social
@tvayyyy.bsky.social @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social @samiraahmed.bsky.social @eveewing.bsky.social @mbwwelch.bsky.social
December 12, 2025 at 9:44 PM
We had such a fabulous time at the CHIRBys last night... And if there’s one thing we agree on, it’s that Chicago has the BEST literary community in the country!!!
@tvayyyy.bsky.social @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social @samiraahmed.bsky.social @eveewing.bsky.social @mbwwelch.bsky.social
@tvayyyy.bsky.social @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social @samiraahmed.bsky.social @eveewing.bsky.social @mbwwelch.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel León
"Margaret is in many ways emblematic of Chicago’s literary community today and what makes it wonderful."
Huge thanks to @mbwwelch.bsky.social for this full circle moment a few weeks before the 10-year anniversary of @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social. chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/09/e...
Huge thanks to @mbwwelch.bsky.social for this full circle moment a few weeks before the 10-year anniversary of @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social. chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/09/e...
"Emblematic of Chicago's Literary Community Today": Adam Morgan on Literary Pioneer Margaret C. Anderson - Chicago Review of Books
IIn Chicago, you can feel the weight of history everywhere. The architecture bears the marks of a great fire. The city meets at the intersection of an ancient glacial lake and a river that once flowed...
chireviewofbooks.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:11 PM
"Margaret is in many ways emblematic of Chicago’s literary community today and what makes it wonderful."
Huge thanks to @mbwwelch.bsky.social for this full circle moment a few weeks before the 10-year anniversary of @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social. chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/09/e...
Huge thanks to @mbwwelch.bsky.social for this full circle moment a few weeks before the 10-year anniversary of @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social. chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/09/e...
Reposted by Rachel León
I’ve started a practice of sending a postcard each day. It’s been a beautiful and meaningful part of my morning, but I am running out of addresses and don’t want to stop! Can I send you one?
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
Let me send you a postcard!
docs.google.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I’ve started a practice of sending a postcard each day. It’s been a beautiful and meaningful part of my morning, but I am running out of addresses and don’t want to stop! Can I send you one?
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
Reposted by Rachel León
If you weren't already looking forward to the CHIRBys this week, this incredible essay by @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social editor-in-chief @mbwwelch.bsky.social will certainly get you fired up -- not just for the awards, but all things Chicago writing!
buff.ly/93L3Slo
#hooraychicago!
buff.ly/93L3Slo
#hooraychicago!
A City Where Words Breathe: On Celebrating 10 Years of the CHIRBy Awards - Chicago Review of Books
I arrived late to my first Chicago Review of Books Awards in 2019. I was a new editor on the team then, nervous and uncertain about how early to arrive for the ceremony and lost between the awfully…
buff.ly
December 8, 2025 at 5:06 PM
If you weren't already looking forward to the CHIRBys this week, this incredible essay by @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social editor-in-chief @mbwwelch.bsky.social will certainly get you fired up -- not just for the awards, but all things Chicago writing!
buff.ly/93L3Slo
#hooraychicago!
buff.ly/93L3Slo
#hooraychicago!
I’ve started a practice of sending a postcard each day. It’s been a beautiful and meaningful part of my morning, but I am running out of addresses and don’t want to stop! Can I send you one?
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
Let me send you a postcard!
docs.google.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I’ve started a practice of sending a postcard each day. It’s been a beautiful and meaningful part of my morning, but I am running out of addresses and don’t want to stop! Can I send you one?
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
You can sign up at the link below. (You can even request a certain topic!)
docs.google.com/forms/d/1cwm...
Reposted by Rachel León
"I considered common narratives around girlhood and womanhood, attempting to subvert expectations where I could and embrace more positive storylines."
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Diana Xin on "Book of Exemplary Women” (Yes Yes Books).
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/02/t...
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Diana Xin on "Book of Exemplary Women” (Yes Yes Books).
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/02/t...
The Desires of Exemplary Women: A Conversation with Diana Xin - Chicago Review of Books
Our interview with Diana Xin about her new story collection, "Book of Exemplary Women."
chireviewofbooks.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:52 PM
"I considered common narratives around girlhood and womanhood, attempting to subvert expectations where I could and embrace more positive storylines."
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Diana Xin on "Book of Exemplary Women” (Yes Yes Books).
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/02/t...
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Diana Xin on "Book of Exemplary Women” (Yes Yes Books).
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/02/t...
Reposted by Rachel León
I’m continuously amazed and inspired by the writing community’s generosity with both time and resources. Check out this great “book club” and please help @rachellayown.bsky.social raise funds, if you’re able.
pubcheerleader.substack.com/p/lets-read-...
pubcheerleader.substack.com/p/lets-read-...
Let's read together!
I don’t know a writer who isn’t going through it.
pubcheerleader.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I’m continuously amazed and inspired by the writing community’s generosity with both time and resources. Check out this great “book club” and please help @rachellayown.bsky.social raise funds, if you’re able.
pubcheerleader.substack.com/p/lets-read-...
pubcheerleader.substack.com/p/lets-read-...
I’m hosting a virtual book discussion with author Ursula Villarreal-Moura about her debut novel, LIKE HAPPINESS, to raise money for her friends in Palestine. (We’re asking participants to donate at least $10.) Details in this Substack post:
substack.com/@pubcheerlea...
substack.com/@pubcheerlea...
November 20, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I’m hosting a virtual book discussion with author Ursula Villarreal-Moura about her debut novel, LIKE HAPPINESS, to raise money for her friends in Palestine. (We’re asking participants to donate at least $10.) Details in this Substack post:
substack.com/@pubcheerlea...
substack.com/@pubcheerlea...
Reposted by Rachel León
Thanks so much to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social and @rachellayown.bsky.social for this interview🖤
"Most writers, on some level, are writing to figure things out, to try to make some sense of things."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Deborah Shapiro on her new book "Watching the Detective” (@bside-editions.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/18/w...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Deborah Shapiro on her new book "Watching the Detective” (@bside-editions.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/18/w...
Writing to Figure Things Out, To Make Sense of Things: A Conversation with Deborah Shapiro - Chicago Review of Books
It’s official: I’ll read anything Deborah Shapiro writes. I’ve loved her work, and therefore I dove into her new book, Watching the Detective, without hesitation even though the detective in question ...
chireviewofbooks.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Thanks so much to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social and @rachellayown.bsky.social for this interview🖤
Reposted by Rachel León
"Most writers, on some level, are writing to figure things out, to try to make some sense of things."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Deborah Shapiro on her new book "Watching the Detective” (@bside-editions.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/18/w...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Deborah Shapiro on her new book "Watching the Detective” (@bside-editions.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/18/w...
Writing to Figure Things Out, To Make Sense of Things: A Conversation with Deborah Shapiro - Chicago Review of Books
It’s official: I’ll read anything Deborah Shapiro writes. I’ve loved her work, and therefore I dove into her new book, Watching the Detective, without hesitation even though the detective in question ...
chireviewofbooks.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
"Most writers, on some level, are writing to figure things out, to try to make some sense of things."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Deborah Shapiro on her new book "Watching the Detective” (@bside-editions.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/18/w...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Deborah Shapiro on her new book "Watching the Detective” (@bside-editions.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/18/w...
Reposted by Rachel León
"I’m not the sort of person who accepts a 'lane' and stays there. My 'lane' is the one I’m clearing at the moment."
Contributor @rachellayown.bsky.social published an interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social in @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! buff.ly/wtoKNDz
Contributor @rachellayown.bsky.social published an interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social in @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! buff.ly/wtoKNDz
November 17, 2025 at 4:45 PM
"I’m not the sort of person who accepts a 'lane' and stays there. My 'lane' is the one I’m clearing at the moment."
Contributor @rachellayown.bsky.social published an interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social in @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! buff.ly/wtoKNDz
Contributor @rachellayown.bsky.social published an interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social in @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social! buff.ly/wtoKNDz
Reposted by Rachel León
What a fantastic interview! If it inspires you to do what Rachel has done for another city, get in touch with us at @beltpublishing.bsky.social
Please read this wonderful interview with @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social managing director, @rachellayown.bsky.social -- the editor of a new book titled The Rockford Anthology.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
The Rockford Files: An Interview with Rachel León on "The Rockford Anthology" - Chicago Review of Books
A conversation with Rachel León, editor of "The Rockford Anthology"
chireviewofbooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
What a fantastic interview! If it inspires you to do what Rachel has done for another city, get in touch with us at @beltpublishing.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel León
"It was my goal to capture Rockford as it really is: flawed, yes, but full of strengths, too."
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
The Rockford Files: An Interview with Rachel León on "The Rockford Anthology" - Chicago Review of Books
A conversation with Rachel León, editor of "The Rockford Anthology"
chireviewofbooks.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
"It was my goal to capture Rockford as it really is: flawed, yes, but full of strengths, too."
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
@recycledgiraffe.bsky.social's interview with @rachellayown.bsky.social on editing the "The Rockford Anthology” (@beltpublishing.bsky.social) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/11/06/t...
Reposted by Rachel León
Another world is possible, if we fight for it
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Another world is possible, if we fight for it
Reposted by Rachel León
October 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Rachel León
"We’re following our hearts and minds...finding a balance so we don’t inadvertently publish titles that are too similar.”
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @allisonwoodnutt.bsky.social of Smith & Taylor Classics at @unnamedpress.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/31/i...
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @allisonwoodnutt.bsky.social of Smith & Taylor Classics at @unnamedpress.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/31/i...
Interview with an Editor: Allison Miriam Woodnutt at Smith & Taylor Classics - Chicago Review of Books
Our interview with Allison Miriam Woodnutt at Smith & Taylor Classics.
chireviewofbooks.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"We’re following our hearts and minds...finding a balance so we don’t inadvertently publish titles that are too similar.”
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @allisonwoodnutt.bsky.social of Smith & Taylor Classics at @unnamedpress.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/31/i...
Out now: @rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @allisonwoodnutt.bsky.social of Smith & Taylor Classics at @unnamedpress.bsky.social.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/31/i...
Reposted by Rachel León
We are always very proud to be a part of the Stories Matter Foundation, but today especially.
October 29, 2025 at 9:15 PM
We are always very proud to be a part of the Stories Matter Foundation, but today especially.
Reposted by Rachel León
"What I can tell you, clearly and unambiguously, is that it is not always an easy matter to settle on what is true."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social on her new book "Guardians & Saints” (Cornerstone Press) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/24/t...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social on her new book "Guardians & Saints” (Cornerstone Press) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/24/t...
Tuning into the Dream Stuff: An Interview with Diane Josefowicz - Chicago Review of Books
A conversation with Diane Josefowicz on her new short story collection, "Guardians & Saints"
chireviewofbooks.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:38 PM
"What I can tell you, clearly and unambiguously, is that it is not always an easy matter to settle on what is true."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social on her new book "Guardians & Saints” (Cornerstone Press) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/24/t...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social on her new book "Guardians & Saints” (Cornerstone Press) is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/10/24/t...
Reposted by Rachel León
A book that gets a proclamation from the mayor! A whole official week! How cool is this
October 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
A book that gets a proclamation from the mayor! A whole official week! How cool is this
Reposted by Rachel León
"Once [books] are published and out in the world, I am constantly surprised by the extent of their reach and the wonderful ways they touch readers."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @milkweededitions.bsky.social editor Daniel Slager is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/15/i...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @milkweededitions.bsky.social editor Daniel Slager is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/15/i...
Interview with an Editor: Daniel Slager at Milkweed Editions - Chicago Review of Books
Our interview with Daniel Slager at Milkweed Editions.
chireviewofbooks.com
September 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
"Once [books] are published and out in the world, I am constantly surprised by the extent of their reach and the wonderful ways they touch readers."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @milkweededitions.bsky.social editor Daniel Slager is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/15/i...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with @milkweededitions.bsky.social editor Daniel Slager is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/15/i...
Reposted by Rachel León
We're excited to tell you we have THREE full scholarships available for Queer Joy and Sensibilities with JP Solheim, a four-session in-person class starting 9/18.
Apply here by 9/16: buff.ly/blJ7Kaq
Apply here by 9/16: buff.ly/blJ7Kaq
September 10, 2025 at 11:23 PM
We're excited to tell you we have THREE full scholarships available for Queer Joy and Sensibilities with JP Solheim, a four-session in-person class starting 9/18.
Apply here by 9/16: buff.ly/blJ7Kaq
Apply here by 9/16: buff.ly/blJ7Kaq
Reposted by Rachel León
"Resentment, infatuation, dependence, alienation and fear of loneliness work well when they’re being revealed with words and images together."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Lee Lai on her new book “Cannon” @dandq.bsky.social is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/10/t...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Lee Lai on her new book “Cannon” @dandq.bsky.social is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/10/t...
The Expansiveness of Visual and Verbal Craft in "Cannon": A Conversation With Lee Lai - Chicago Review of Books
Award-winning cartoonist Lee Lai’s new graphic novel, Cannon is gorgeous with astonishing story complexity. New to Lai’s work, I decided to first check out her debut, Stone Fruit, and our review of it...
chireviewofbooks.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
"Resentment, infatuation, dependence, alienation and fear of loneliness work well when they’re being revealed with words and images together."
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Lee Lai on her new book “Cannon” @dandq.bsky.social is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/10/t...
@rachellayown.bsky.social's interview with Lee Lai on her new book “Cannon” @dandq.bsky.social is out now.
chireviewofbooks.com/2025/09/10/t...
If you’re in the Chicago area, I’ll be in conversation with David Ambroz tomorrow at Printers Row Lit Fest about his inspiring memoir A PLACE CALLED HOME. We’ll be at the North Stage at 1pm. Hope to see you there!
September 5, 2025 at 2:17 PM
If you’re in the Chicago area, I’ll be in conversation with David Ambroz tomorrow at Printers Row Lit Fest about his inspiring memoir A PLACE CALLED HOME. We’ll be at the North Stage at 1pm. Hope to see you there!
Reposted by Rachel León
HUGE congrats to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social managing director and Novel In A Year alum @rachellayown.bsky.social on being named one of 10 Poets & Writers' 2025 Get the Word Out Fiction Fellows:
www.pw.org/about-us/new...
www.pw.org/about-us/new...
Ten Authors to Watch: Introducing the 2025 Get the Word Out Fiction Fellows
www.pw.org
September 4, 2025 at 3:07 PM
HUGE congrats to @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social managing director and Novel In A Year alum @rachellayown.bsky.social on being named one of 10 Poets & Writers' 2025 Get the Word Out Fiction Fellows:
www.pw.org/about-us/new...
www.pw.org/about-us/new...