Linda Rodriguez has published one novel, Every Last Secret (Minotaur Books), winner of the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition, two books of poetry, Heart’s Migration (Thorpe Menn Award; finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award) and Skin Hunger, and a cookbook, The “I Don’t Know How To Cook” Book: Mexican. She received the Midwest Voices & Visions Award, Elvira Cordero Cisneros Award, KCArtsFund Inspiration Award, and Ragdale and Macondo fellowships. Rodriguez is a member of the Latino Writers Collective, Wordcraft Circle of Native American Writers and Storytellers, Kansas City Cherokee Community, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime.
Linda Rodriguez
As someone who is proud to call Linda friend, my less-official praise poem is this: She is tireless--as a writer, a community organizer, a critical thinker about her craft and the body politic. Both in her poetry and prose is a deep rooted sense of personal justice, of infinite care and a strong belief in the need to do good, be good and walk in beauty. This is our conversation about writing, and her book, Every Last Secret.
When did you begin writing? Why?
I had a childhood that made Mommie, Dearest look like a fairytale, and reading and writing helped me survive it. So I started writing when I was quite young—poetry and stories that I wanted to think of as novels—but I really bega
New poetry anthology
An upcoming anthology of Latino poety includes Bloguera Lisa Alvarado and others, making this a fine collection. A review or reviews soon to come on La Bloga.
Me No Habla With Acento: Contemporary Latino Poetry
Edited by Emanuel Xavier
From the publisher:
This anthology of contemporary Latino poetry celebrates the rich mosaic of a major arts movement within the United States featuring poets and spoken word artists from across the country. Pages are filled with English, Spanglish, and even Spanish, but the unifying theme throughout this uncompromising book is the great oral tradition and diversity of a community that has significantly contributed to American culture beyond bookstores and cafes.
The inspiring and powerful voices captured in this collection include: Edwin Torres, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Maria Rodriguez-Morales, Erik "Advocate of Wordz" Maldonado, Bonafide Rojas, Luzma Umpierre, Paul S. Flores, Roberto "Simply Rob" Vassilarakis, Caridad de la Luz "La Bruja", Nancy Mercado, Urayoan Noel, Chris "Chilo" Cajigas, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, Roberto F. Santiago, Frank Perez, Sheila Maldonado, John "Chance" Acevedo, Machete Movement, Lisa Alvarado, A. B. Lugo, Jason "Majestik Originality" Hernandez, Myrna Nieves, Tito Luna, and Carlos Andres Gomez. Also includes B&W artwork by Juan Betancurth and a foreword by Gonzalo Casals, Director of Education and Public Programs for El Museo del Barrio. Published in association with El Museo del Barrio.
For interview requests or promotional photography of the editor or any of the featured contributors, please email emanuelATemanuelxavierDOTcom.
For more info, click here.
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Letras Latinas Blog
Check out the Weblog of the literary program of the Institute for Latino Studies, at the University of Notre Dame. Today there's a posted article called "Victor Martinez, Chicano Poet/Author Passed Today," written by amigo Francisco X. Alarcón.
And here's what they say about the website:
Letras Latinas, the literary program of the Institute for Latino Studies, seeks to enhance the visibility, appreciation and study of Latino literature both on and off the campus of the University of Notre Dame. We are partic
Mil gracias, Lisa! It's an honor for me to be featured on La Bloga, one of my favorite blogs of all time.