El Paso Writers Update for Week of Oct. 16, Part I

El Paso Writers Update for Week of Oct. 16, Part I
News on Sasha Pimentel Chacon, Dagoberto Gilb, Miguel Juarez, Pat Mora and more
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Above, left to right, Pluma editor Raymundo Eli Rojas, Miguel Juarez, and Hector Gonzalez talking about saving El Paso's Lincoln Center and Luis Jimenez' sculpture "Los Lagartos"

Two full months of actvism has prevented me from posting a whole lot on the PF blog. I've finally come to the realization that I no longer have time to do a full newsletter of Pluma Fronteriza and Libros, Libros. I'm talking about the hardcopy. I'd enjoy any recommendation though. I'm still thinking about it. 

Sasha will accept the Before Columbus Foundation's American Book Award Today

UT El Paso prof wins American Book Award

Our biggest news we have is that UTEP Creative Writing professor Sasha Pimentel Chacon Won the Before Columbus Foundaton's American Book Award. See El Diario de El Paso article "Premian libro de poesía de inmigrante": "Una mezcla de sencillez, orgullo y alma de niña se observan en los ojos rasgados de la ahora paseña Sasha Pimentel Chacón, una escritora que llegó hace apenas cuatro años a estos lares para quedarse." READ MORE.

Also see this West End Press media release on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notes/west-end-press/sasha-pimentel-chac%C3%B3n-to-accept-american-book-award-in-berkeley-october-16/10150358544122305

Gilb and Fountain to receive Awards in November

Also Poet Carrie Fountain of Las Cruces will receive the emerging author award from the Austin Public Library Friends Foundation's inaugural Illumine awards for excellence in literary achievement in November.  Dagoberto Gilb will be offered the fiction award. Read more.

Benjamin Alire Saenz

Saenz in Chicago

John Green and Benjamin Alire Sáenz, authors known for their "coming-of-age"characters, will be in conversation with Donna Seaman discussing Saul Bellow's book "The Adventures of Augie March" at 6 p.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.; free. Registration is required. 312-747-8191. See chicagopubliclibrary1b1c.eventbrite.com.

Saenz is mention in an article in the San Antonio Express-News which features El Pasoen Heidi Marquez Smith: "Director of Book Festival Wants To Reach More Kids."

Luis J. Rodriguez

Rodriguez in the Huff

John Rogers features Luis Rodriguez in his article "Words prevailed over gangs for Luis J. Rodriguez". "Even when he was a notorious street punk, shooting at people and shooting up heroin, there was always something a little different about Luis J. Rodriguez. If he wasn't pulling a knife to settle a dispute or running to avoid the law, Rodriguez was just as likely to be off somewhere reading: Homer's "Odyssey" maybe; or John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath"; or some other great work." READ MORE.

Dagoberto Gilb (courtesy of The Venture)

Gilb on Nuestra Palabra Tour

Nuestra Palabra Tour will be coming to El Paso which may include Junot Diaz, Sandra Cisneros, Dagoberto Gilb among other. See "Nuestra Palabra takes its Latino literature showcase on the road."

Gilb's forthcoming short story collection (next month!) is listed in "Celebrate Hispanic heritage with a good read": "Finding a book by, for or about a person of Hispanic heritage used to be a chore. We forget there was a time when mainstream bookstores and libraries carried little to nothing that could pass for a book about the Latino experience in the United States." READ MORE.

Wedding Bells at Cinco Puntos

Congrads to Cinco Puntos Press' Johnny Byrd on his recent marriage. See Cinco Puntos' statement "Yes, Johnny Byrd did get married!"

Mary Wright as the Library Lady and Gabe Martinez as Tom‡s in 'Tomas and the Library Lady,' a bilingual play by Pennsylvania Youth Theatre. Public performances are Tuesday and Oct. 18 at the Bethlehem Public Library, and Oct. 22 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. (contributed photo / October 5, 2011)

Tomas and the Library Lady

See this article about "Tomas and the Library Lady" based on Pat Mora's award-winning children's book. The story was adapted for the stage in 2005 by Latino playwright Jose Cruz Gonzale. The play will be performed on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Check out "Free bilingual play presents inspirational story": "Tomas, the main character in Pat Mora's book "Tomas and the Library Lady," is an inspirational character. Through the kindness of a stranger, he learns how important reading, hard work and perseverance are to success." READ MORE.

Miguel Juarez on "El Vaquero" Removal

We will be featuring an interview with Miguel Juarez soon regarding his activism on part for Luis Jimenez' Los Lagartos and Lincoln Center (El Paso). He was recently quoted by the El Paso Times and other venues regarding the city of El Paso losing Luis Jimenez "El Vaquero" sculpture. See Juarez' comments as well as photage of the removal "Adios, 'Vaquero': Luis Jimenez's famed sculpture leaves longtime home."

Troncoso to be honored at Gala

Sergio Troncoso is to be honored at the The Hudson Valley Writers' Center annual gala at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 3. The event is at Tappan Hill Mansion, the former Hudson Valley estate of Mark Twain. Tickets are $250. For information, call 914-332-5953.

David D. Romo

When Sergio Troncoso was in town a few weeks ago he said you won't find his books at Costco. Nevertheless, I did find David D. Romo's book. On David Romo, he is quoted in the El Paso Times article "Links of the past: Some of El Paso's landmarks in fight to survive."