Vincent O'Keefe
@vincentokeefe.bsky.social
Writer/PhD Amer. Lit/Former At-Home Dad. New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, Parents, Business Insider, Plain Dealer, City Dads, others. Taught at U. of Michigan. Cleve OH via Chicag-Phila-Buff www.vincentokeefe.com
Pinned
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
wsj.com
You might get a few laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about reality dating shows. Feel free to share! #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette #LoveisBlind wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
@beltpublishing.bsky.social You might enjoy my short essay, "How I Left My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names," at The Plain Dealer. cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
How I left my gallbladder in Cleveland – and learned about old place names: Vincent O’Keefe
Knowing why “West Park” was once “West’s Park” may not be crucial to a Clevelander’s life, but it certainly deepens the connection to home. In that sense, a history book is like an MRI, and historical...
cleveland.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:56 PM
@beltpublishing.bsky.social You might enjoy my short essay, "How I Left My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names," at The Plain Dealer. cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
@nickoloffoff.bsky.social You might enjoy my short essay, "How I Left My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names," at The Plain Dealer. Feel free to share! cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
How I left my gallbladder in Cleveland – and learned about old place names: Vincent O’Keefe
Knowing why “West Park” was once “West’s Park” may not be crucial to a Clevelander’s life, but it certainly deepens the connection to home. In that sense, a history book is like an MRI, and historical...
cleveland.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:51 PM
@nickoloffoff.bsky.social You might enjoy my short essay, "How I Left My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names," at The Plain Dealer. Feel free to share! cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
@anniezaleski.bsky.social You might enjoy "How I Lost My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names" at The Plain Dealer. :) cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
How I left my gallbladder in Cleveland – and learned about old place names: Vincent O’Keefe
Knowing why “West Park” was once “West’s Park” may not be crucial to a Clevelander’s life, but it certainly deepens the connection to home. In that sense, a history book is like an MRI, and historical...
cleveland.com
January 24, 2026 at 6:27 PM
@anniezaleski.bsky.social You might enjoy "How I Lost My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names" at The Plain Dealer. :) cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
You might enjoy "How I Left My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names," especially if you live in the Cleveland/Lakewood area. Feel free to share! #Cleveland #Lakewood #LakewoodOhio
cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
How I left my gallbladder in Cleveland – and learned about old place names: Vincent O’Keefe
Knowing why “West Park” was once “West’s Park” may not be crucial to a Clevelander’s life, but it certainly deepens the connection to home. In that sense, a history book is like an MRI, and historical...
cleveland.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:21 PM
You might enjoy "How I Left My Gallbladder in Cleveland--and Learned About Old Place Names," especially if you live in the Cleveland/Lakewood area. Feel free to share! #Cleveland #Lakewood #LakewoodOhio
cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
cleveland.com/opinion/2026...
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
On reality dating shows. #realitydating.
You might get a few laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about reality dating shows. Feel free to share! #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette #LoveisBlind wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
wsj.com
December 27, 2025 at 10:11 PM
On reality dating shows. #realitydating.
@abbys480.bsky.social Hello again! You might enjoy my tribute to my late mother-in-law's legacy of gift-giving at Motherwell. motherwellmag.com/2025/12/09/r...
What my late mother-in-law still teaches me about holiday giving
I learned that gift-giving is not merely an obligation but a joy of life. By Vincent O’Keefe
motherwellmag.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
@abbys480.bsky.social Hello again! You might enjoy my tribute to my late mother-in-law's legacy of gift-giving at Motherwell. motherwellmag.com/2025/12/09/r...
@thisamericanlife.org You might get some laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:19 PM
@thisamericanlife.org You might get some laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
Give a gift that lasts the whole year! New subscribers to POETRY Magazine receive 10 print volumes, immediate digital access, and a limited-edition tote bag (while supplies last). It's the perfect way to spend a cozy winter morning indoors. Visit poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25 for more info!
December 22, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Give a gift that lasts the whole year! New subscribers to POETRY Magazine receive 10 print volumes, immediate digital access, and a limited-edition tote bag (while supplies last). It's the perfect way to spend a cozy winter morning indoors. Visit poetrymagazine.org/slowdown25 for more info!
@janefriedman.com You might get some laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
@janefriedman.com You might get some laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
@chrislhayes.bsky.social You might get some laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:14 PM
@chrislhayes.bsky.social You might get some laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
@mrjoncryer.bsky.social You might get some laughs from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:12 PM
@mrjoncryer.bsky.social You might get some laughs from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
@lebassett.bsky.social You might get some laughs from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
@lebassett.bsky.social You might get some laughs from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
@maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social You might get some laughs from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
www.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
@maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social You might get some laughs from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
@thepom.bsky.social You might get a few laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
wsj.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
@thepom.bsky.social You might get a few laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about watching reality dating shows as a family. wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
You might get a few laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about reality dating shows. Feel free to share! #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette #LoveisBlind wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
wsj.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM
You might get a few laughs--and shocks!--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about reality dating shows. Feel free to share! #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette #LoveisBlind wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
You might enjoy--and get a shock--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about the value of watching reality TV dating shows. Feel free to share! #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette #LoveisBlind wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
wsj.com
December 12, 2025 at 1:25 AM
You might enjoy--and get a shock--from my essay at The Wall Street Journal about the value of watching reality TV dating shows. Feel free to share! #TheBachelor #TheBachelorette #LoveisBlind wsj.com/lifestyle/re...
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship. on.wsj.com/4948dwO
I Assumed Reality-TV Dating Shows Were Bad for My Daughters (and Me). I Was Wrong.
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship.
on.wsj.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Despite all the cringey moments, the shows often model how to handle difficult, face-to-face conversations in a relationship. on.wsj.com/4948dwO
Tragically, my mother-in-law died in a car accident 28 years ago. I'm proud to honor her legacy of gift-giving in this essay at @motherwellmag.bsky.social. #motherinlaw #gifts #Christmas motherwellmag.com/2025/12/09/r...
What my late mother-in-law still teaches me about holiday giving
I learned that gift-giving is not merely an obligation but a joy of life. By Vincent O’Keefe
motherwellmag.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Tragically, my mother-in-law died in a car accident 28 years ago. I'm proud to honor her legacy of gift-giving in this essay at @motherwellmag.bsky.social. #motherinlaw #gifts #Christmas motherwellmag.com/2025/12/09/r...
@maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social Just fyi this fellow Ohioan and parenting writer enjoyed Dear Writer! Especially the parts about fragmentary narrative being, in many ways, a more "psychologically true form" than conventional, linear narrative. Also, I remember those SASEs for rejections :)
December 5, 2025 at 10:14 PM
@maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social Just fyi this fellow Ohioan and parenting writer enjoyed Dear Writer! Especially the parts about fragmentary narrative being, in many ways, a more "psychologically true form" than conventional, linear narrative. Also, I remember those SASEs for rejections :)
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
I wrote about why I can't sleep at night: the devaluation of so many things (critical thinking, creativity) I thought were paramount. lithub.com/when-we-deva...
When We Devalue Art (Books!) We Devalue the Future
When you’ve spent your whole adult life working in and around book publishing you get used to hearing that people don’t read anymore and that the industry is on its last legs. There is always a cri…
lithub.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I wrote about why I can't sleep at night: the devaluation of so many things (critical thinking, creativity) I thought were paramount. lithub.com/when-we-deva...
So where (and when) does conscious identity begin? You might enjoy my reflections at @oldstermag.bsky.social on my first "wedding" at age 4 (featuring The Carpenters, Descartes, and a Big Wheel). Feel free to share! #aging #nostalgia #Descartes #TheCarpenters oldster.substack.com/p/scattered-...
Scattered Pictures #3: My First “Wedding”
Vincent O’Keefe wonders, where does conscious identity begin? Featuring The Carpenters, Descartes, and a Big Wheel
oldster.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM
So where (and when) does conscious identity begin? You might enjoy my reflections at @oldstermag.bsky.social on my first "wedding" at age 4 (featuring The Carpenters, Descartes, and a Big Wheel). Feel free to share! #aging #nostalgia #Descartes #TheCarpenters oldster.substack.com/p/scattered-...
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
Out today: BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2025, edited by... me! So so many great stories in here. I can't wait for you to discover them and their talented writers.
October 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Out today: BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES 2025, edited by... me! So so many great stories in here. I can't wait for you to discover them and their talented writers.
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
One of my favorite things is when a piece I write takes on a new life in someone else’s hands.
Tiffany Graham Charkosky read my 2022 article describing the types of memoirists who land book deals & found a new way to look at her journey.
Her memoir releases today: janefriedman.com/all-others-t...
Tiffany Graham Charkosky read my 2022 article describing the types of memoirists who land book deals & found a new way to look at her journey.
Her memoir releases today: janefriedman.com/all-others-t...
“All Others”: The Memoir Writers Who Keep Going | Jane Friedman
Jane’s reporting has shown that unknown authors still land memoir deals, a fact which gave one writer the will to persevere—and succeed.
janefriedman.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
One of my favorite things is when a piece I write takes on a new life in someone else’s hands.
Tiffany Graham Charkosky read my 2022 article describing the types of memoirists who land book deals & found a new way to look at her journey.
Her memoir releases today: janefriedman.com/all-others-t...
Tiffany Graham Charkosky read my 2022 article describing the types of memoirists who land book deals & found a new way to look at her journey.
Her memoir releases today: janefriedman.com/all-others-t...
Reposted by Vincent O'Keefe
For @nytimes.com I wrote about why and how people splurge on experiences and things, and how to splurge responsibly.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
Splurging? In This Economy? Here’s How to Do It Right.
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
For @nytimes.com I wrote about why and how people splurge on experiences and things, and how to splurge responsibly.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/20/b...
@anniezaleski.bsky.social Ever wear a rock band pin as a kid? You might enjoy this Clevelander's tribute to Genesis at Open Secrets Magazine :) opensecretsmagazine.com/p/genesis-ro...
Objectives #5: Put It On Again: Why I Love My Genesis Pin from Seventh Grade
I’ve been listening to Genesis since childhood, and their music never gets old for me
opensecretsmagazine.com
October 3, 2025 at 6:56 PM
@anniezaleski.bsky.social Ever wear a rock band pin as a kid? You might enjoy this Clevelander's tribute to Genesis at Open Secrets Magazine :) opensecretsmagazine.com/p/genesis-ro...