January 2022 Most Anticipated Books

STAR CHILD | MIDDLE GRADE BIOGRAPHY

by Ibi Zoboi

From the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler.

Acclaimed novelist Ibi Zoboi illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning Civil Rights Movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into the groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller whose novels continue to challenge and delight readers fifteen years after her death.

HIGH-RISK HOMOSEXUAL | MEMOIR

by Edgar Gomez

This witty memoir traces a touching and often hilarious spiralic path to embracing a gay, Latinx identity against a culture of machismo--from a cockfighting ring in Nicaragua to cities across the U.S.--and the bath houses, night clubs, and drag queens who help redefine pride.

I've always found the definition of machismo to be ironic, considering that pride is a word almost unanimously associated with queer people, the enemy of machistas. In particular, effeminate queer men represent a simultaneous rejection and embrace of masculinity . . . In a world desperate to erase us, queer Latinx men must find ways to hold onto pride for survival, but excessive male pride is often what we are battling, both in ourselves and in others.

A debut memoir about coming of age as a gay, Latinx man, High-Risk Homosexual opens in the ultimate anti-gay space: Edgar Gomez's uncle's cockfighting ring in Nicaragua, where he was sent at thirteen years old to become a man. Readers follow Gomez through the queer spaces where he learned to love being gay and Latinx, including Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, a drag queen convention in Los Angeles, and the doctor's office where he was diagnosed a "high-risk homosexual."

With vulnerability, humor, and quick-witted insights into racial, sexual, familial, and professional power dynamics, Gomez shares a hard-won path to taking pride in the parts of himself he was taught to keep hidden. His story is a scintillating, beautiful reminder of the importance of leaving space for joy.

SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND | YA SCIENCE-FICTION

by David Valdes

From lauded writer David Valdes, a sharp and funny YA novel that's Back to the Future with a twist, as a gay teen travels back to his parents' era to save a closeted classmate's life.

All Luis Gonzalez wants is to go to prom with his boyfriend, something his "progressive" school still doesn't allow. Not after what happened with Chaz Wilson. But that was ages ago, when Luis's parents were in high school; it would never happen today, right? He's determined to find a way to give his LGBTQ friends the respect they deserve (while also not risking his chance to be prom king, just saying...).

When a hit on the head knocks him back in time to 1985 and he meets the doomed young Chaz himself, Luis concocts a new plan-he's going to give this guy his first real kiss. Though it turns out a conservative school in the '80s isn't the safest place to be a gay kid. Especially with homophobes running the campus, including Gordo (aka Luis's estranged father). Luis is in over his head, trying not to make things worse-and hoping he makes it back to present day at all.

In a story that's fresh, intersectional, and wickedly funny, David Valdes introduces a big-mouthed, big-hearted queer character that readers won't soon forget.

VIOLETA | HISTORICAL FICTION

by Isabel Allende

This sweeping novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea tells the epic story of Violeta Del Valle, a woman whose life spans one hundred years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the twentieth century.

Violeta comes into the world on a stormy day in 1920, the first girl in a family with five boisterous sons. From the start, her life is marked by extraordinary events, for the ripples of the Great War are still being felt, even as the Spanish flu arrives on the shores of her South American homeland almost at the moment of her birth.

Through her father's prescience, the family will come through that crisis unscathed, only to face a new one as the Great Depression transforms the genteel city life she has known. Her family loses everything and is forced to retreat to a wild and beautiful but remote part of the country. There, she will come of age, and her first suitor will come calling.

She tells her story in the form of a letter to someone she loves above all others, recounting times of devastating heartbreak and passionate affairs, poverty and wealth, terrible loss and immense joy. Her life is shaped by some of the most important events of history: the fight for women's rights, the rise and fall of tyrants, and ultimately not one, but two pandemics.

Through the eyes of a woman whose unforgettable passion, determination, and sense of humor carry her through a lifetime of upheaval, Isabel Allende once more brings us an epic that is both fiercely inspiring and deeply emotional.

Review: Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp

Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet by Laekan Zea Kemp is a debut novel that guides the reader through a delicious, uplifting, and emotional experience. The novel begins with an opening scene at Nacho’s Tacos. Grease is hissing while music is booming through a speaker that transitions to the clanking sound of metal as well as a voice calling orders. As if this is not chaotic enough, Penelope or Pen, is in the midst of an internal battle. She is constantly telling herself she is a mess and that she is going to make a mistake, even though she is perfectly combining the aromatic ingredients to an authentic Mexican recipe. Pen is a natural at running the kitchen but she has a major secret. While Pen’s parents believe she is in school, she is actually skipping class and daydreaming about owning her own bakery. One day while sitting in the parking lot of her school, Pen realizes she cannot continue to lie to her parents. She finally confides in them but, without warning, her father fires her from the restaurant and she is forced to move out of her childhood home. Pen is left to fend for herself and discover if her passion of baking is worth risking it all.

Pen was always known to be one of the toughest workers at Nacho’s with a hard exterior This image is broken when she first meets Alejando, or Xander. With tears in her eyes, Pen wishes Xander good luck on his first day of work at Nacho’s. In fact, she tells him that he is about to enter the most faithful but fucked up family you will ever meet, which is exactly what Xander is looking for. As the novel switches from Pen’s to Xander’s perspective, the reader begins to unravel Xander’s story. Born in Puebla, Mexico, Xander was left by both of his parents. Xander is able to obtain closure from his mother’s farewell, but still seeks closure from his father due to his abrupt departure from Mexico to the United States. Several years later, Xander moves to the United States and lives with his abuelo, who kindly housed him under the condition they never speak about his son, Xander’s father. However, this does not stop Xander. With only a shoebox of memories from his father, Xander meets with multiple private investigators to try to locate him. 

During some of their loneliest times, Pen and Xander support and propel each other to their biggest dreams. While Pen’s depression constantly shuts her down, Xander reminds her of her worth by spending some of his well-earned money on a grand gesture that sets up Pen’s successful future. Pen returns the favor by reminding Xander that he is no less of a person due to his undocumented status and rekindles an irreplaceable family connection. Their love story highlights the heart-wrenching empathy one can feel for another, and the blind devotion to make your other half happy. 

Kemp discusses themes such as the importance of community, family, and believing in yourself with loveable characters and environment. Nacho’s serves as a safe haven to all the staff brought on by Pen’s father, who is always willing to provide an odd job or two for financial compensation. This family of misfits highlights the importance of compassion as one never knows where they might end up. My favorite theme Kemp touches on is the difficulty of feeling othered. Pen’s connection to her food becomes a symbol for Pen’s connection to her heritage, just as Xander’s undocumented status serves as a reminder of his difference amongst fellow Mexcians. This young adult novel will keep your stomach hungry but your heart full. 

Book content warnings: self-harm, depression, parental abandonment, and documentation status.

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Mariana Felix-Kim (she/her) lives in Washington, D.C. with her lovely cat, Leo. When she is not working in the environmental science field, Mariana is constantly reading. Her favorite genres include non-fiction, thrillers, and contemporary romances. Mariana is half Mexican and half Korean. You can find her on Instagram: @mariana.reads.books

#SalaSundays with CeCe Lyra

Latinx in Pub (LxP): What do you do?

CeCe Lyra (CL): I’m an associate literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction.

LxP: How did you get started?

CL: After realizing it was time for a career change, I went back to school as a mature student (I used to be a lawyer, but please don’t hold that against me) and did my internship at a literary agency. After working as a literary agent for over a year, I moved over to P.S. Literary Agency.

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

CL: I wish I had access to statistics in publishing. I knew it was a competitive industry, and I’d done quite a bit of research, but consolidated and comprehensive hard data on this industry is difficult to come by, and I find that making it available would be immensely helpful to both creators and publishing professionals.

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

CL: Gosh, so many! Do you mean books that I’ve already sold or books that I’m going out with in the new year? In terms of projects that I’ve sold, the fabulous Aparna Shewakramani’s memoir is coming out in February 2022, and I couldn’t be more excited about it (you may remember her from Netflix’s hit TV Show INDIAN MATCHMAKING)! There’s also another project that’s set to come out in 2022 that I can’t talk about yet, but let’s just say it involves witches and smashing the patriarchy, two of my absolute favorite things. And I have so many upcoming submissions I’m excited about! On the nonfiction side, there’s a psychology book that I’m going out with in the new year that has got me rethinking every aspect of my life (it’s amazing how books can do that!). On the fiction side, there’s a literary thriller that’s almost close to being ready—every time I read it I love it even more. I did a brainstorming session with my client the other day and left the call thinking, ‘How did I get so lucky that this is my job?’ I’m also always reading for pleasure—people keep telling me I’ll have to stop eventually, and I intend on proving them wrong because I’m a reader first and foremost! Right now, I’m enjoying L.A. Weather by María Amparo Escandón.

Cecilia (CeCe) Lyra is an associate literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction. She is also the co-host of the popular podcast The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing, which is aimed at emerging writers. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, CeCe is a passionate believer in the power of storytelling to offer both empathy and escape. When she isn’t working, you can find enjoying pão de queijo while snuggling with her English Bulldog, Babaganoush.

Getting To Know Our 2021 Fellows

Latinx in Publishing is extraordinarily pleased to introduce you to our inaugural Latinx in Publishing Fellows! In 2021, LxP partnered with Macmillan books to create two fellowships, the first a Publishing Fellowship which pairs an emerging writer and editor with the Flatiron Press Senior Editor, Caroline Bleeke, whom the fellow will remotely shadow across the editorial process for ten months, and a Work-in-Progress Fellowship, which pairs an emerging writer with the stellar editor, Ali Fisher, to move a completed draft of a manuscript through a rigorous editing process. And what better way to introduce you to them than to let them tell you something about their favorite books, the books they love to recommend, and their New Year’s Traditions!

LxP: What book did you read this year that you loved?

Claudia Cardona (Publishing Fellow): A book this year I read that I love is All About Love by bell hooks. I underlined something almost on every page. It was an incredible read.

Ananda Lima (Work-in-Progress Fellow): I was lucky to read many books that I loved this year. One of them was The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan, a story about a mother who is sent to a parent educational camp after being reported to Child Protective Services. It was funny, moving, and scary at the same time, and the writing is wonderful. I also loved The Atmospherians by Alex McElroy, Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters, Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro, and many more. I think that books that made me laugh or that let us experience love, while at the same time trapping some of my sadness and what is messed up and scary in our time into words helped me so much this year.

LxP: What’s a book you always recommend to people to jumpstart the new year or to read for the holidays?

Claudia: I highly recommend starting the year off with some Mary Oliver. Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver is a great place to start. Reading her poems full of unabashed vulnerability, optimism, and reflections on the natural world is a great way to start off the year.

Ananda Lima: For the holidays, I usually love recommending books I really enjoyed that year, which this year includes the books above. Same thing for writers, but I combine craft books with books like Counternarratives by John Keene, The book of Disquiet by Fernando Pessoa, The Passion according to G.H., or The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, just to shake things up!

LxP: Do you have a traditional way you like to celebrate New Years?

Claudia: I never really had a New Year Eve tradition, but back in 2018 I did start the tradition of watching Phantom Thread on New Years Eve. It's the best New Years Eve movie.
Ananda: I specifically love New Year's Day. I like taking a long walk. If possible, I like being near water, a vestige from childhood New Year traditions, where bodies of water are important. In Brazil, we liked going into the water, but given that I will likely be in Chicago, I will just walk next to it.

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Claudia Delfina Cardona (she/they) is a poet from San Antonio, Texas. She received her B.A. in English Communication Arts from St. Mary's University and her MFA in Creative Writing from Texas State University. Alongside Laura Valdez, Cardona co-created Chifladazine, an online and print zine for and by creative Latinas across the U.S. and beyond. Chifladazine was featured in Remezcla, Vice, and archived at University of Texas at San Antonio and Austin. During her time at Texas State University, Cardona was the Editorial Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Southwest. She assisted with the editorial production of Texas Books in Review and Southwestern American Literature. Additionally, she was on the inaugural Sandra Cisneros Symposium committee. In 2019, Cardona, Juania Sueños, and Anthony Bradley founded Infrarrealista Review, a literary journal and press for Texan writers. Cardona is also the author of What Remains, winner of the 2020 Host Publications Chapbook Prize.

Ananda Lima’s (she/her) poetry collection Mother/land was the winner of the 2020 Hudson Prize and is forthcoming in 2021 (Black Lawrence Press). She is also the author of the chapbooks Vigil (Get Fresh Books, forthcoming in 2021), Tropicália (Newfound, 2021, winner of the Newfound Prose Prize), Amblyopia (Bull City Press, 2020), and Translation (Paper Nautilus, 2019, winner of the Vella Chapbook Prize). Her work has appeared in The American Poetry Review, Poets.org, Kenyon Review Online, Gulf Coast, The Common, Poet Lore, Poetry Northwest, Pleiades, and elsewhere. She has an MA in Linguistics from UCLA and an MFA in Creative Writing in Fiction from Rutgers University, Newark.

#SalaSundays with Christina Lopez

Latinx in Publishing (LxP): What do you do? 

Christina Lopez (CL): I am an editorial assistant at St. Martin's Press.

LxP: How did you get started? 

CL: I worked in education for a year after I graduated from college. I knew pretty early on in the school year that it wasn't the right fit for me, so I reached out to a friend who was interning at St. Martin's Press. She sent me the application for the summer internship, and, thankfully, it all worked out! I interned at St. Martin's Press in the summer and did the NYU Publishing Institute. My position opened up near the end of the internship, and I was hired full time at the end of July!

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry? 

CL: Before getting into the industry, I wish I knew how important knowing the books that you want to work on is. It sounds obvious, but it's a passion industry, so if you aren't passionate about the books you're working on (or your boss is working on), your job won't be as meaningful. It also helps you find a position that is the best fit. 

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading? 

CL: I just finished reading You've Reached Sam, and I'm halfway through The Midnight Library.

My name is Christina Lopez, and I am an Editorial Assistant at St. Martin's Press. I'm originally from the sunny border town of El Paso, Texas but currently living in Austin, Texas. I enjoy reading historical fiction, young adult books, and romance. Aside from reading, I enjoy baking, spending time with my cat, Nova, and watching bad reality TV.

Review: ¡Hola Papi!

Hola Papi: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer is a debut autobiography comprised of a series of essays that provide advice from how to be a real Mexican, surviving heartbreak, working an unfulfilling job, fashion, and more. Brammer’s experiences take place in multiple settings from Oklahoma to Washington, D.C. to New York, making it even more relatable to a wider audience.

Right off the bat, it immediately felt like Brammer was a Papi with whom one could easily confide in and ask questions. Brammer creates this comfort and trust by sharing a plethora of experiences throughout multiple points of his life in a vulnerable manner. He begins by discussing how difficult it was to be himself in school due to the intense bullying he experienced. He also discusses his experience of having a girlfriend for the first time and navigating the difficulty of easily mirroring her affection while experiencing a boundary due to his sexuality. 

While sharing his life experiences, Brammer does an excellent job discussing overarching themes such as the pressure he faced to fit in. One of my favorite examples was when he discusses lazy masculinity and how it affects his everyday life such as his fashion choices. The paradox of lazy masculinity influences him to carefully select clothes that will help him appear straight, even though caring about clothes in the first place is seen as a feminine practice. Brammer discusses the specific aesthetic that must be reached in order to satisfy a sexuality and essentially avoid more bullying or fit in. As a reader, it is easy to sympathize and understand the hardship that Brammer consistently experiences, to be someone he is not. 

This debut blew me away as a reader. There is so much to relate to even as a completely different person. There is a sense of community in feeling lonely and lost. As a half Mexican and half Korean person, Brammer’s chapter on “How to Be a Real Mexican” really spoke to me as I am sure it did to other multi-racial people. Brammer discusses how he felt disconnected from Mexico but was still able to connect with other Mexicans and eventually feel more Mexican through his interactions with coworkers at a tortilla factory. All it took was a simple hola from him and he was immediately greeted as a paisano, which translates to countryman, in a familiar and welcoming manner. From here, he was able to create an irreplaceable bond with these Mexican men and feel the validation of being a real Mexican. It was endearing to have someone relate to the sense of community one can immediately feel when one finds someone from their home country, even if that same person doesn’t feel like they belong. 

Brammer ended the book beautifully by answering if he was even qualified to help others. Brammer creates a full circle by bringing back an anecdote from the beginning of the book about how he looked up to a Swede as an authority figure while he was becoming more comfortable with his sexuality. He emphasizes that everyone has the capacity to be an authority but advice might just be someone sharing their experience instead of someone telling someone what to do. I really appreciated his ability to take a step back and acknowledge his limitations as an advice columnist. It is extremely important to recognize that there may be situations in which “advice” can be harmful. As a reader who fell in love with Brammer, I viewed this chapter as Brammer gaining even more trust and credibility as a Papi.

Book trigger warnings: sexual assault and suicide.

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Mariana Felix-Kim (she/her) lives in Washington, D.C. with her lovely cat, Leo. When she is not working in the environmental science field, Mariana is constantly reading. Her favorite genres include non-fiction, thrillers, and contemporary romances. Mariana is half Mexican and half Korean. You can find her on Instagram: @mariana.reads.books

#SalaSundays with Monica Rodriguez

Latinx in Publishing (LxP): What do you do? 

Monica Rodriguez (MR): I'm the Director of Brand Management at Context Literary Agency. My role is to help Context authors with their brand, offer advice, and support their books throughout their writing career. My day-to-day in this role can range from brainstorming social promotion ideas for a cover reveal to pitching our authors for interviews in publications or podcasts. The role has been such a fun experience where I feel like I've finally married my skill set with something I love: books! 

LxP: How did you get started?

MR:I started in publishing as a writer. (In fact, I'm in the query trenches myself!) I've also been a book blogger for three years over at Find A Lovely Life where I run the Find A Lovely Book Club. When I started querying, I realized there weren't enough Latinx agents out there. I also realized how much of the querying process was similar to pitching on the public relations side. I've been working in marketing and advertising for over eight years and was looking for a role where I could use my skills to promote things I loved. During #PitMad, I found myself looking at pitches for exciting books I wanted to read. It dawned on me that being an agent might be something I would love, and I could use my marketing skills to help authors as well. I applied for an internship position at Context Literary Agency where I met Tamar Rydzinski, we later discussed a marketing position at Context. I've been at Context for a few months now and I'm so glad I followed my curiosity, which led me to this new role. Agenting is still something I am interested in and will be opening up to queries sometime next year! 

LxP: What do you wish you knew before getting into the industry?

MR:How slow the publishing industry really moves. I thought I knew how slow things moved in publishing, but it wasn't until I was on the other side of it all that I really understood why it takes so long to sell and promote a book. Every part of the process, whether you're a writer or an agent, takes time. Patience really is a virtue in this industry and I think it's helped me slow down and appreciate each part of the process. 

LxP: What book are you currently working on or reading?

MR:I'm currently working on supporting promotional plans for a few Context titles, a few fantasy series as well as some contemporary romance novels. I do get to read the books as a promotional perk, so my TBR list has grown! For my leisure reading, I just finished The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune for book club and started reading Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang last night.

Monica Rodriguez is the Director of Brand Management at Context Literary Agency. She helps authors connect with partnerships that enhance their writing careers, supporting their books before and after they’ve hit the shelves. Her love for books can be traced back to elementary school, where the best days were spent attending book fairs and author readings. She is the creator of Find A Lovely Life where she runs the Find A Lovely Book Club. She is also a Mexican-American author and a contributing writer for LatinaMediaCo.

December 2021 Latinx Releases

ON-SALE DECEMBER 7TH, 2021

LIGHT FOR ALL | PICTURE BOOK

by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Raúl Colón

A lyrical and unifying picture book that "will inspire young readers" and "magnificently showcases the immigrant experience" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) in America from Newbery Honoree Margarita Engle and award-winning illustrator Raúl Colón.

Discover the myriad contributions that all immigrants have made as they come to join family or start their own lives together in a new country they call home. Coming with their hopes, dreams, and determination, generations of immigrants have made the fabric of this country diverse, vivid, and welcoming.

This vibrant and timely celebration demonstrates the thousands of immigrants who built America and the importance of having acceptance and light for everyone.

BISA’S CARNAVAL | PICTURE BOOK

by Joana Pastro; illustrated by Carolina Coroa

Discover the sights and sounds of Brazil through the eyes of a young girl and her great-grandmother as they share in the excitement of Carnaval!

It's time for Carnaval and Clara cannot wait to celebrate her favorite holiday with family, but especially with her great-grandmother. Even if Bisa can't attend, Clara knows the Carnaval parade will still be special. Costumed lovingly by their bisa, everyone takes to the street for the annual parade. But even among all the colors, costumes, music, and dancing, something is missing . . . or is it someone?With lush, lyrical text and bright, colorful illustrations, this book takes readers to one of the most exciting holidays of the year and reminds us that no matter who or where you are, love is always worth celebrating.

DEATH UNDER THE PERSEIDS | MYSTERY

by Teresa Dovalpage

There's no such thing as a free cruise in Cuban American author Teresa Dovalpage's addictively clever new Havana mystery.

Cuban-born Mercedes Spivey and her American husband, Nolan, win a five-day cruise to Cuba. Although the circumstances surrounding the prize seem a little suspicious to Mercedes, Nolan's current unemployment and their need to spice up their marriage make the decision a no-brainer. Once aboard, Mercedes is surprised to see two people she met through her ex-boyfriend Lorenzo: former University of Havana professor Selfa Segarra and down-on-his-luck Spanish writer Javier Jurado. Even stranger: they also received a free cruise.

When Selfa disappears on their first day at sea, Mercedes and Javier begin to wonder if their presence on the cruise is more than coincidence. Mercedes confides her worries to her husband, but he convinces her that it's all in her head.

However, when Javier dies under mysterious circumstances after disembarking in Havana, and Nolan is nowhere to be found, Mercedes scrambles through the city looking for him, fearing her suspicions were correct all along.

ON-SALE DECEMBER 14, 2021

LET’S BE FRIENDS/SEAMOS AMIGOS | BILINGUAL PICTURE BOOK

by René Colato Laínez; illustrated by Nomar Perez

Hi! ¡Hola! A friendship story in English and Spanish! ¡Un cuento de amistad en inglés y español!

Hi. / Hola.
My name is Joe. / Mi nombre es José.
Let's paint. / Pintemos.

Two boys, an English speaker and a Spanish speaker, meet at school. They paint together and learn about colors. In the end, they declare, Let's be friends. / Seamos amigos.

Rene Colato Lainez, a teacher in a bilingual kindergarten classroom, has crafted an ingenious story that authentically and naturally uses conversation to introduce children to English and Spanish. The fun friendship story engages children, while simple words, short sentences, and a glossary reinforce learning.

Nomar Perez, illustrator of best-selling children's books as well as greeting cards, has a bright, bold, colorful, kid-pleasing style that invites readers to befriend the characters in this book.

Perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first and second graders who are learning to speak or read English and Spanish. A delightful reading experience for bilingual families.

8 Best Books of 2021 According to Latinx in Publishing

It’s been an amazing year for books published by Latinx persons and we are so excited to share staff picks for our best of the year selections. Scroll on to read the full list and let us know on social what books are on your best of list this year.

FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA | YOUNG ADULT

by Crystal Maldonado

“Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is a love letter to every plus-sized Latina girl! Unafraid to approach the ways that society and even those closes to us can chip away at self-esteem, this book will remind every reader how deserving they are of love, especially from themselves.” - Carolina Ortiz, Writers Mentorship Program Co-Director, Latinx in Publishing

WILD TONGUES CAN’T BE TAMED | ANTHOLOGY

edited by Saraciea J. Fennell

“Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed edited by Saraciea Fennell. This Latinx anthology is filled with voices from all across the diaspora. From well-known authors like Elizabeth Acevedo and Ibi Zoboi to newcomers like myself and Cristina Arreola, I'm so excited for this incredible collection of essays and poetry to (finally!) be out in the world.”

- Zakiya N. Jamal, Communications Volunteer, Latinx in Publishing

RESISTENCIA: POEMS OF PROTEST AND REVOLUTION | POETRY

edited by Mark Eisner and Tina Escaja

“This collection of poetry serves as a fierce love letter to the resistance. With translated works placed adjacent to the original text, the reader is allowed to fully enjoy the beauty of language. These poems aren’t meant to lull us through hard times, but rather jerk us awake to the fights we continue to fight.” - Azaliyah Molina, Communications Intern, Latinx in Publishing

THE INHERITANCE OF ORQUÍDEA DIVINA | FANTASY

by Zoraida Córdova

“The Inheritance Of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova might be the most enchanting, spellbinding book I've read all year! (Puns intended.) Córdova is at the top of her game with this beautifully written story of an Ecuadorian American family with secrets that reverberate through generations.”  – Sophia Jimenez, Writers Mentorship Program Co-Director, Latinx in Publishing

THIS IS NOW| CONTEMPORARY FICTION

by Julia Amante

This is Now is about a workaholic doctor who returns home to her dysfunctional family to care for her ailing mother. This book is about second chances and learning to forgive yourself & others. – Maria Ferrer, Board Treasurer, Latinx in Publishing

ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DIVE INTO THE WATERS OF THE WORLD | YOUNG ADULT FICTION

by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

In the first book, Ari and Dante realize they are in love. In this second book, their love blossoms as they enjoy an end-of-summer camping trip and the start of school. Love is beautiful yet hard with the pressures of a world that does not accept them and is filled with fear of the AIDS crisis. At times the warmth of their deep connections with their family and friends felt like un abrazo that helps get you through the day. As Ari says, if we’re lucky the universe will send us the people we need to survive.” - Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, Board Member & Fellowship Program Co-Director, Latinx in Publishing

FOR BROWN GIRLS WITH SHARP EDGES AND TENDER HEARTS: A LOVE LETTER TO WOMEN OF COLOR | SOCIAL SCIENCE: FEMINISM

by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez

This book is such an essential read for every brown person in our community. Prisca touches on so many tender topics like machismo, colorism, self-love and more. This book should be required reading." - Saraciea J. Fennell, Board Chair & Communications Co-Director, Latinx in Publishing

DREAMING OF YOU | FICTION

by Melissa Lozada-Oliva

This novel in verse is a roller coaster ride for those with the faint of heart. If you're easily crushed (or not; that's fine, too, but who are you??), you'll enjoy the company of this book that climbs in search of love, plummets to the depths of identity, and has fast turns so you feel alive with the truth of womanhood, the exploration of legacy and purpose as a twenty-something, and the certainty of death. A memorable read to add to your Central American list from this Guatemalan-Colombian American poet. - Andrea Morales, Communications Co-Director, Latinx in Publishing

2021 National Book Award for Poetry Winner: Floaters by Martín Espada

The 72nd National Book Awards Ceremony was held on November 17, 2021. You can see what you missed here.

Martín Espada’s book Floaters won the National Book Award for Poetry. Espada is only the 3rd Latinx poet to win this award.

Espada is the author of over twenty novels which he published as a poet, essayist, and translator. He is also a highly decorated writer having won several awards such as the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the Shelley Memorial Award, the Robert Creeley Award. He has also been awarded several fellowships including a Guggenheim Fellowship. Espada was born in Brooklyn and now currently resides in Massachusetts where he is a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.