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Corral Wins Yale Series for Younger Poets

Eduardo Corral won the Yale Series for Younger Poets. This is a first book award and the "oldest annual literary award in the United States." I seem to remember Corral having his first book on Monotombo Press, but looking through my stacks it was only an announcement of a book never came to, but hey, worth the wait for this prestigious prize. Check out Corral's blog.

J. Michael Martinez, Valarie Martinez, and Naomi Ayala to read in D.C.

J. Michael Martinez and Valerie Martinez will be in D.C. reading with Naomi Ayala at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Feb. 28. Click HERE for more info. 

A native of Puerto Rico, Naomi Ayala is the author of two books of poetry Wild Animals on the Moon, selected by the New York City Public Library as a Best Book for the Teen Age, and This Side of Early. Ms. Ayala lives in Washington, DC where, until recently, she served as the Executive Director of 826DC. 

Distinguishing herself as a poet who writes in both Spanish and English, Ms. Ayala’s most recent work appears in Al Pie de la Casa Blanca: Poetas Hispanos de Washington, DC. Ms. Ayala teaches at The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, MD and at the Joiner Center for the Study of War and Social Consequences at UMASS-Boston. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her work. Her third book of poems is scheduled for release by Bilingual Review Press.

J. Michael Martinez is a recipient of the 2006 Five Fingers Review Poetry Prize, and he has received residencies from the Ragdale Foundation, Canto Mundo, and the Vermont Studio Center. His first collection Heredities was selected by Juan Felipe Herrera for the Academy of American Poets' Walt Whitman Award.

Valerie Martínez’s first book of poetry, Absence, Luminescent, won the Larry Levis Prize and a Greenwall Grant from the Academy of American Poets. Her other books include World to World and a book-length poem, Each and Her. She was the Poet Laureate for the City of Santa Fe from March 2008 to March 2010.

Carlos Francisco Jackson Exhibit

A small blurp on the Illinois Times on Chicano artist/writer Carlos Francisco Jackson and his upcoming show. Mark your calendars for Feb. 17 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Brookens Auditorium to hear Jackson talk, sponsored by the ECCE Speaker Lecture Series. A reception follows from 6:30-8 p.m. in the arts gallery. Both events are free and open to the public.

Mi America/My America
Through March 23
Monday-Thursday 11am-6pm
UIS Visual Arts Gallery, HSB 201
206-6506

For more info, click HERE.

Culture Clash new play to Open in La Joya

 

The La Joya Playhouse in San Diego will host Culture Clash's next play: "American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose". The Chicano theatrical trio of Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza returns to San Diego with this new comedy (commissioned last year at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival) about a Hispanic man who is swept into pivotal moments of American history while studying for his U.S. citizenship exam. It will be directed by Jo Bonney ("The Seven," "Adoration of the Old Woman"). Dates are not set yet. MORE INFO.

Poetic Journey: Juan Felipe Herrera

Highlander Features of the University of California, Riverside did a feature on Juan Felipe Herrera ("A Poetic Journey of Self Discovery: Professor Juan Felipe Herrera"): "He embraced the culture around him, and yet, was confined in by insecurities as a college student. "I'd be trembling so much, I didn't want to read. I didn't want to show people how afraid I am," he admits. But as he developed a sense of freedom within the realm of writing poetry and speeches, he began to shout and express his feelings.  He began to read, write and publish, and discovered a group of friends that shared a similar love of poetry." READ MORE.

Marisa Trevino wins Latina Blogger of the Year 

Marisa Trevino has received the Groundbreaking Latina Blogger of the Year from CATALINA Magazine. "Marisa Trevino describes herself as a "dedicated Chicana, playwright, and citizen." The syndicated journalist and local public radio commentator's blog stays up to date with the latest information on news, entertainment, arts, family matters, education trends, and other social justice issues affecting the Hispanic community." READ MORE.

Anthology of Andrés Montoya Poetry and Interview with Daniel Chacon

The Letras Latinas Blog states that Daniel Chacon is editing a collection of poetry by the late Andrés Montoya. READ MORE. Also check out Letras Latinas Blog interview with Chacon. 

Letras Latinas/Red Hen Press Poetry Prize

On the topic of Letras Latinas, they have recently announced the Letras Latinas/Red Hen Press Poetry Prize. It will support the publication of a second or third full-length collection of poems by a Latino or Latina poet.

The winning poet will receive $1000, a contract from Red Hen Press and, upon publication of the winning book, an invitation to give a reading in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. READ MORE ABOUT THIS COMPETITION.

Lost Novel by Bolaño

"Lost Roberto Bolaño novel to be serialised this spring" says The Guardian. "A newly uncovered novel by the late Chilean writer Roberto Bolaño will get its first English language publication this year in the literary quarterly the Paris Review."

New Book from Lorna Dee Cervantes out in Fall
 

Lorna Dee Cervantes posted on her Facebook wall that her book CIENTO: 100 100-Word Love Poems! (Wing Press) She states that is was due on Valentines Day, but has "been delayed until September. Order an advance copy and help the press. Order Lorna Dee special handmade, handsewn collector's edition for your Valentine, CIENTO POR CIEN. 100 4 $100, and help the poet!

Book and Literature News

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To Publish a Women

I caught this on Sheryl Luna's blog, a statistical look at publishing of women by major magazines. I was put together by VIDA Women in Literary Arts. Women are under-represented in the big magazines. Read The Count 2010.

Editing where art Thou?

Has the art of editing been lost, asks Alex Clark in The Guardian. Check out: "The lost art of editing.": " "it's not only the authors who will and should wince on reading these words. The editors . . . are responsible as well, for being too indolent, timid or unobservant, if the reviewers are right. But will pain spur them to remember that editors are supposed to edit?" READ MORE.

Evil's Cross Examination: Lord of the Rings from Evil's Viewpoint

Lord of the Rings told from the Dark Lord Sauron's point of view. A Russian novelist has penned The Lastringbearer giving Mordor (you should hear wind and and evil voice now) point of view. Fearing copyright infringement, it has not come out in the west, but see this Salon.com article for a link to a free download: "Announcing the 'Which OC Pioneers Were KKK Members?' Series!."

No "Alone Time" in the Digital Age

Is Facebook ruining your "alone time"? Check out this book review on Salon.com: "Alone Together": Is technology ruining our ability to be alone?"

Closing the Border

Woe time for Border Books. Borders announced that is will close 600 stores and has filed for bankruptcy. READ MORE (BBC). Also see a related National Public Radio story "Borders in Bankruptcy: is Your Booksstore Next."

Coffee House Press Spot Light

Check out this interview by Anis Shivani with Coffee House Press, a small press that has published a few Chicanos throughout the years (Huntington Post). READ NOW.

Public Library: To Close or Not to Close

Closing or cutting back on your public libraries. Think again! Check out this story on The Guardian: "Library protests cause some councils to rethink cuts."