What is the central theme of the stories in Vankay Tales? What kind of world do they create for readers?

The common thread is authenticity and freedom-written sincerely and without constraint. Writers hold infinite magic. My aim was to tell emotionally honest stories that remind us of our humanity. Readers have told me I've succeeded-and that brings me great joy.

I hope they wander through each story's corridors with an open, unbiased perspective.

How do the themes in your book connect with contemporary society?

Vankay Tales reflects our daily lives with fast-paced yet meaningful stories, ideal for today's attention economy. They explore prejudice, uncertainty, self-discovery, regret, playfulness, ego, indifference, longing, loneliness, transformation, and boundlessness-mirroring societal dynamics through personal tales.

Through minimal yet powerful storytelling, I aim to evoke deep emotional resonance in readers, merging individual experiences with broader social realities.

Vankay Tales is a poignant and imaginative short story collection that delves into the complex intersections of identity, culture, memory, and belonging. Written with literary elegance and emotional depth, the stories traverse the boundaries of time and place-from inner city corners to distant lands-offering readers a glimpse into the human experience through richly drawn characters and unexpected moments. Drawing on his Turkish roots and global experiences, Mathew M. Yazar crafts a narrative universe where the ordinary becomes profound, and every tale leaves an echo.