tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9151632477298222242024-03-14T02:17:47.670-05:00La Quinceañera books by Belinda AcostaWhere Belinda Acosta writes about DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ, SISTERS, STRANGERS, AND STARTING OVER, and other stuff. Mostly, the other stuff.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-16756874529752912662011-08-05T12:06:00.000-05:002011-08-05T12:06:04.698-05:00Check out my buddy's new blogIf you've never heard of <a href="http://vicentelozano.com/">Vicente Lozano</a> be patient. You will. He is one of the most talented writers I know, so I'm thrilled he finally decided to launch a blog (click on his name). He is the second, among my most talented writer friends to launch a blog and let me say, it's long overdue.<br />
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This may sound snarky, but it seems to me that the first rush to blogging was made by those who were pushed into it by book P.R. folk, or by those who approached the process with the breathless anticipation of a teenage boy about to get some. Neither of those make for good blogging or writing, for that matter. So, it's cool to see writers—good writers—taking the form seriously. It may be going the way of MySpace, but I trust that after a fallow period, the form will emerge anew. How do I know this? It's just a hunch. In this restless media climate, I think the chips are still falling and I have to believe that good, solid writing will eventually survive.<br />
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Vince only has two posts. But please read and comment. It will encourage him and I'm all for encouraging good writers!Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-28865875775586304462011-07-06T16:56:00.007-05:002011-07-06T17:01:37.689-05:00CantoMundo Comes to AustinRead my feature about <a href="http://www.cantomundo.org/">CantoMundo</a>, the new Latino poets collective <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/books/2011-07-01/come-together/">HERE.</a><br />
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Sadly, it's one of the last books features to be published in the <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/">Austin Chronicle</a>, the alt-weekly where I've worked for the last ten years. The books section is going away, as are several staff members, me included. Times are rough out there for print media. The good news is I have more time to write! The bad news: more hustling, less stability. I had thought about taking a drawing class, maybe now is the time.<br />
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I'm thinking about changing the title of this blog. Not sure to what. Will give it some thought and announce.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-23832463009242206402011-03-24T11:54:00.000-05:002011-03-24T11:54:55.616-05:00'What You See in the Dark': my review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd06PtdIjwEUGNZqKjvuhnxGECbkW6oomU9uQRcKvjQtb_o6MlxGPFXxsLYiJ392Q6Hy6cucEjvHPF8X1fEp8XxPud6NqSJZrweuukQUOtqjIQZvZwKvkk5fmZXzfSLYpOFjIYt0TkMe0/s1600/books_readings1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd06PtdIjwEUGNZqKjvuhnxGECbkW6oomU9uQRcKvjQtb_o6MlxGPFXxsLYiJ392Q6Hy6cucEjvHPF8X1fEp8XxPud6NqSJZrweuukQUOtqjIQZvZwKvkk5fmZXzfSLYpOFjIYt0TkMe0/s320/books_readings1-1.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>My brief 300 word review in my home publication, <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/">The Austin Chronicle</a>, cannot capture the full breadth of my astonishment over what Manuel Muñoz has accomplished in his debut novel, <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/books/2011-03-25/what-you-see-in-the-dark/">What You See in the Dark. </a>I have always found his work to be austere and beautiful, like Shaker furniture, and he delivers more of the same in this carefully constructed novel that links three, seemingly disparate women, whose stories are told before the backdrop of a film production (the iconic <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/"><i>Psycho</i></a>). The official pub date is Tuesday, March 29, but a little bird told me you could find it in bookstores now, as well as online.<br />
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Muñoz is one of those writers I feel blessed to have read, like Cristina Garcia and Helena Maria Viramontes (who Muñoz studied with). If I'm lucky, I'll get to spend some time with Muñoz and Viramontes at this summer's Macondo Workshop. Better start saving my pennies now!<br />
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Please click on the title above to read my review. What do what you think? I'd like to know.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-57159197438674353882011-03-02T16:26:00.000-06:002011-03-02T16:26:29.772-06:00Iréne in el Valle!<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWCupTQLcVQ">Iréne Lara Silva reading</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mS3hMdPPo7WNoa7_lHTDAGlCuVoIESwTL1yr0Fvhp1gnz9JvtNt2q7t4NaElON-ABOx-YRtvDlZGmKP3sf231R23tvO0t9ps429QAf79OyKFwQXo6SvWU6HoJPOyp9sFq6iqPiLo0ZE/s1600/166424_10150145989426369_670146368_7900096_6024714_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mS3hMdPPo7WNoa7_lHTDAGlCuVoIESwTL1yr0Fvhp1gnz9JvtNt2q7t4NaElON-ABOx-YRtvDlZGmKP3sf231R23tvO0t9ps429QAf79OyKFwQXo6SvWU6HoJPOyp9sFq6iqPiLo0ZE/s320/166424_10150145989426369_670146368_7900096_6024714_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Check out fellow Macondista and amazing poet, Iréne Lara Silva as she reads from her work, <i>Furia</i>, in el Valle. I heard her read at Resistencia Bookstore in Austin. I had forgotten what a gifted poet she is. Check her out! You can click on the link above the photo to watch. Unfortunately, it's only one poem, and I'm not too thrilled with the angle, but hey! It's better than nothing.<br />
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Congrats to Iréne! You really threw yourself, mujer!Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-52917966207686682152011-01-29T11:49:00.000-06:002011-01-29T11:49:30.648-06:00A shout out from Sandra Cisneros— How cool is that?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDbVPaH1l3nozOtnofREExyEbLdu6Thnltqz5JohbvFk_78XWVS7_tGcYri7R1aHopCk2_W7gFnkSc4lmC95ujDAqy-aY04ePylJlyOxdMJnvKcJshK6zh0oUrFcWtQAaQ4Kkj7zt4hk/s1600/writing_sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDbVPaH1l3nozOtnofREExyEbLdu6Thnltqz5JohbvFk_78XWVS7_tGcYri7R1aHopCk2_W7gFnkSc4lmC95ujDAqy-aY04ePylJlyOxdMJnvKcJshK6zh0oUrFcWtQAaQ4Kkj7zt4hk/s200/writing_sq.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>San Antonio-based Sandra Cisneros and Austin-based writer David Rice spoke about the world Chican@/Latin@ writers find themselves creating in, in this installment of National Public Radio's <i>Talk of the Nation</i>, hosted by Neal Conan. Click on this <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/01/27/133277380/New-And-Established-Writers-Redefine-Chicano-Lit?sc=tw">link</a> to read the transcript and listen to what what said. The remarks at the end of this interview are also illuminating.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-88633694883231618142011-01-13T14:35:00.000-06:002011-01-13T14:35:45.822-06:00Going to San Anto, Baybee!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWl5l8JMZvE8lsrILcJh3suN3bXPw7JI4gM5f0IrD5-zrf8SI7FrXu4otXW0UrQrqCHuTVAXFBM02jCThpgd-7aZBnTv-4zOj1Ul2qefe0yTeR-gTOYYVdC9jvja2Rafsv0IY6OtJ8lk/s1600/Acosta+side+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWl5l8JMZvE8lsrILcJh3suN3bXPw7JI4gM5f0IrD5-zrf8SI7FrXu4otXW0UrQrqCHuTVAXFBM02jCThpgd-7aZBnTv-4zOj1Ul2qefe0yTeR-gTOYYVdC9jvja2Rafsv0IY6OtJ8lk/s640/Acosta+side+A.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-45422201997200059922011-01-10T11:53:00.001-06:002011-01-10T12:06:48.374-06:00New in 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZZ9t7owedmeTKwwj-IW1lKLd4yHTcmMOvxbPanKQ0qFqdD6je_2mB_SGZX4Mede-7OYZQvJP6pJ8hLV0h4q4FtreCXW2TuxMp9lzxkAEqh5pK3RRFdwD5Nx0lk40Vnvi-1sndIxvGLQ/s1600/9780292723184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZZ9t7owedmeTKwwj-IW1lKLd4yHTcmMOvxbPanKQ0qFqdD6je_2mB_SGZX4Mede-7OYZQvJP6pJ8hLV0h4q4FtreCXW2TuxMp9lzxkAEqh5pK3RRFdwD5Nx0lk40Vnvi-1sndIxvGLQ/s320/9780292723184.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>For those of you wondering what I do when I'm not writing books—in other words, what do I do for a living?— I write for this fine alt-weekly, the <i>Austin Chronicle</i>. This is the cover of a new anthology of music writing gathered over three decades. While I am not a music writer (it's freaking hard!), I managed to get three pieces in here. Maybe more. The small, crowded print in the online Table of Contents made scanning hard. I'm thrilled, because one of the pieces I'm most happy with is included, a review of <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Charanga+Cakewalk">of Charanga Cakewalk's</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_982332112"><i> Chicano Zen</i></a><i>. </i><br />
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<i>The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology</i> is available from the University of Texas Press next month. To pre-order or to get the deets, click <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/powaus.html">here</a>.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-41676775655394646442010-12-17T12:16:00.000-06:002010-12-17T12:16:02.686-06:00Oh! I can't wait!<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/raWLS2_PEfI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/raWLS2_PEfI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-49549458096077104252010-12-02T11:30:00.000-06:002010-12-02T11:30:32.201-06:00This is priceless! You're welcome.<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c9fc-crEFDw?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c9fc-crEFDw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-7229697961170428702010-11-20T17:24:00.000-06:002010-11-20T17:24:59.295-06:00Las Bernsteinistas en Austin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh-bfhXmLXXEfyz5xkDgWa82oa8qcj-K5e-82-WWWRZEiDo7wdxs4j2J62gbNiXio14JzdkrGXwYtl7Tkm_S5P3FgEXsyB6mkckOusrhzpC88T4ejaDDPozeHfn5OhYZz3SwLOuvQMks/s1600/149981_10150125406458677_567513676_7945998_4806799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh-bfhXmLXXEfyz5xkDgWa82oa8qcj-K5e-82-WWWRZEiDo7wdxs4j2J62gbNiXio14JzdkrGXwYtl7Tkm_S5P3FgEXsyB6mkckOusrhzpC88T4ejaDDPozeHfn5OhYZz3SwLOuvQMks/s400/149981_10150125406458677_567513676_7945998_4806799_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>In this photo, poet, translator, and all around hot mama, Liliana Valenzuela, Julia Alvarez, y yo at the Big Read Event held at the Mexican American Cultural Center in Austin, Texas. You can't tell from this photo, but the joint was packed! Oh—we call ourselves the "Bernsteinistas" because we all have the same agent, Stuart Bernstein. We heart him mucho. :-)Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-76746130140643094432010-11-18T12:55:00.002-06:002010-11-18T12:57:22.901-06:00Uniendo Talentos--A huge success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPnG1JypH9xTDjY88eTJvKzzBZxsQiB5543hOIdQhbNe6qKABA-r1u1RIXNp-aL8W0zTiI01oT25VkGkdSqmA_AIAl1n9B-n0fMVo71DaqZnRCVl5j6Z01KbgTZu8bbAX-bjdS4dPK4c/s1600/Mig%2526Cris%2526David.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPnG1JypH9xTDjY88eTJvKzzBZxsQiB5543hOIdQhbNe6qKABA-r1u1RIXNp-aL8W0zTiI01oT25VkGkdSqmA_AIAl1n9B-n0fMVo71DaqZnRCVl5j6Z01KbgTZu8bbAX-bjdS4dPK4c/s320/Mig%2526Cris%2526David.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here are a few photos from Uniendos Talentos (a Big Read event) that occurred at <a href="http://www.dominicanjoe.com/">Dominican Joe's</a> in Austin. As participant and moderator, I was pleased with how the assembled writers worked together to realize the spirit of the panel: an artistic "jam session," if you will, talking about how we approach our genres from various perspectives.<br />
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In this photo: screenwriter <a href="http://www.estebandido.com/">MIGUEL ALVAREZ</a>, novelist <a href="http://www.cristinagarcianovelist.com/">CRISTINA GARCIA</a>, and singer/songwriter <a href="http://www.davidgarza.com/">DAVID GARZA</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCspWRaheOK8NJRjAWMxJknYQEe1_aRXcvTAuwAsizuUkeIMxh9YoFzkkxhW7Kp2rDVjVW-lEcoIMjFeJWbKANy_OQnpZn1bPRby7HoHPrLVkKWIz2NCDbOoj_CwubVpOG5RZLZWXHpLg/s1600/The+gang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCspWRaheOK8NJRjAWMxJknYQEe1_aRXcvTAuwAsizuUkeIMxh9YoFzkkxhW7Kp2rDVjVW-lEcoIMjFeJWbKANy_OQnpZn1bPRby7HoHPrLVkKWIz2NCDbOoj_CwubVpOG5RZLZWXHpLg/s320/The+gang.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Me (standing) along with the panelists, after the event.<br />
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Cristina was sweet to message me on FaceBook to say how much fun she had. I responded: We should do it again, in another city--perhaps at AWP? Too soon to pull it together for February's conference, but maybe the next?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFGnbwxZpF3brhhyMYmNnOIm5gUNbyTjNT6cHYemAUYv1MmN65XbxVJI5fUxYpEfQVGnZy6_xSdUQ9tsvV8qa3fzpbDzxQCFot81n12URAG812rTKo2CdIYelVExzAyJGqg7hnauKRaE/s1600/Me%2526Cris.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFGnbwxZpF3brhhyMYmNnOIm5gUNbyTjNT6cHYemAUYv1MmN65XbxVJI5fUxYpEfQVGnZy6_xSdUQ9tsvV8qa3fzpbDzxQCFot81n12URAG812rTKo2CdIYelVExzAyJGqg7hnauKRaE/s320/Me%2526Cris.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Isn't Cristina García darling? You won't meet a more generous, gentle spirit. Besides having her on our Big Read panel, I had the pleasure of having dinner with her and interviewing her for a piece that will run in my newspaper, <a href="http://www.austinchronicle.com/">The Austin Chronicle</a> on Thanksgiving (the article should be posted on our website Nov. 25 or 26, 2010). She read from her newest novel, <i><b>The Lady Matador's Hotel</b></i>, but did you know that she's also released a new book of poetry this year titled, <i><b>The Lesser Tragedy of Death</b></i>? In a word, it's stunning. Deeply personal, heartbreaking, and beautiful, the poems talk about growing up with her troubled brother. Read more about this remarkable book and her other work in my <i><b>Chronicle</b></i> piece. I hope I did her justice. <br />
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García has been teaching at the writing program I graduated from at the University of Texas at Austin this semester. If you're in Austin December 2, come hear her read, live and in person! Click <a href="http://www.utexas.edu/academic/mcw/">here</a> for more information.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-15973823633368497432010-11-04T12:27:00.001-05:002010-11-08T18:56:57.201-06:00Uniendo Talentos--A Writers' Circle at the Big Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM56tVvqDRaVE_laE5DJdfsCn_-5y4-9GYQpyaBQv4plj3dFcW0il8LTl7M8U6JhakrK6TGDZRZsS7HyqYxoinHHSlxnnNK9tIafIKzxLA1_aZNzXCKLmCuKy3WN2hcOm1wUrO1OS5Cf8/s1600/UniendoTalentos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM56tVvqDRaVE_laE5DJdfsCn_-5y4-9GYQpyaBQv4plj3dFcW0il8LTl7M8U6JhakrK6TGDZRZsS7HyqYxoinHHSlxnnNK9tIafIKzxLA1_aZNzXCKLmCuKy3WN2hcOm1wUrO1OS5Cf8/s320/UniendoTalentos.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Have you heard of The <a href="http://www.austincc.edu/bigread/">Big Read</a>, a National Endowment for the Arts supported project? Austin Community College is hosting local Big Read events, while similar projects occur across the nation over several months. The Big Read includes readings and related events meant to celebrate reading and literacy. This year's featured author is <a href="http://www.juliaalvarez.com/">Julia Alvarez</a> (who so kindly and generously blurbed my first book, <i><b>Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz</b></i>.) <br />
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As a writer, reading and literacy is one of my causes. So, I was thrilled when <a href="http://www.dulcebreadandbookshop.com/">Dulce Bread and Bookshop</a> owner Teresa Carbajal Ravet asked me to help her assemble a last minute addition to the Big Read line up. And thanks to our fellow comadre <a href="http://www.myrnacabello.com/">Myrna Cabello </a>(who, regrettably, will not be able to join us this time around), I think we've assembled a fabulous event: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147020388677815">Uniendo Talentos: A Latino Writers Creative Circle</a>. This unusual event will feature a round table discussion with writers from several disciplines. I serve as the moderator, engaging this astonishing group of writers to talk about their work: Novelist <a href="http://www.cristinagarcianovelist.com/">Cristina Garcia</a>, Austin-based singer-songwriter <a href="http://www.davidgarza.com/">David Garza</a>, and up and coming filmmaker, <a href="http://www.estebandido.com/">Miguel Alvarez</a>. What will be unusual about this event is that the artists are invited to ask each other questions about their work:<br />
How is a poem like a song?<br />
What is the language of film?<br />
How do we hear words?<br />
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Besides the talk, each participant will share a bit of their work. So, all five senses will be covered: the aroma of fresh coffee and the taste of goodies from the host venue, the music of spoken word by Garcia and myself, the sound of music by David Garza, and a short visual treat from Miguel. I'm excited! I hope you are too!<br />
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Uniendo Talentos takes place at Dominican Joe's Coffee Shop, a cozy coffee shop at the corner of Riverside and Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas. Click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=147020388677815">here</a> for the details. Hope you can make it.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-18999980041389807552010-10-27T15:31:00.000-05:002010-10-27T15:31:28.378-05:00On the road & back again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2EBSRxEDAp2pPHo40o_Z4XBXTLlD9S2PfNQRpuD6ueMAnBpuJ0bGwhWD0DxGlPXe7yr3L_mZWxds4jlh1lYcPoR2OFjGHwfpiOJw0AfkDAQfxYshBROOp4pdP86h11T8ODAjzpo2_0g/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2EBSRxEDAp2pPHo40o_Z4XBXTLlD9S2PfNQRpuD6ueMAnBpuJ0bGwhWD0DxGlPXe7yr3L_mZWxds4jlh1lYcPoR2OFjGHwfpiOJw0AfkDAQfxYshBROOp4pdP86h11T8ODAjzpo2_0g/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I was honored to be invited to the Hispanic Corporate Women's Institute in Phoenix October 21. Here I am with my comadre panelists Marisel Herrera-Anderson, Reyna Grande, and Lisha Adela García. (I'm standing). Our panel was moderated by La Reyna de Las Comadres para las Americas, Nora Comstock. It was thanks to her that I was invited to attend the Institute to begin with. She prompted our discussion of the writerly life and we fielded questions from the inquisitive and eager audience—all Latinas! This photo is us after the panel in the Las Comadres booth, signing books, answering questions, getting photos taken.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotksRs4uklygLKnFSmqDL4RJsOdPOmoi-JLhy_F2krAqvGipWQxwBP3ypSvthBuVVgYeL5ct71XEq6OTmOn4tBTDFHWdSWv-amecCFikctujZ01JCf-s1c_qludZt7j5YP5mJPxxJ2LE/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotksRs4uklygLKnFSmqDL4RJsOdPOmoi-JLhy_F2krAqvGipWQxwBP3ypSvthBuVVgYeL5ct71XEq6OTmOn4tBTDFHWdSWv-amecCFikctujZ01JCf-s1c_qludZt7j5YP5mJPxxJ2LE/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The next day, I returned to Austin after being on the road for three weeks (San Diego, Los Angeles, Tucson, Phoenix). But no time to rest! I had to gear up for the Dulce Bread & Bookshop event, an evening of song and story to celebrate the soft opening of the new bookstore in Dripping Springs, Texas (minutes from Downtown Austin). Teresa Carbajal Ravet is the owner of this unique, independent bookstore featuring a wide array of culturally diverse books. This is me, admiring her small shop. Future plans are to open a larger store in Austin. Where? That's the big question. Teresa is carefully weighing her options and looking for just the right location. In the meantime, you can order from her online! Click <a href="http://www.dulcebreadandbookshop.com/">here</a> to shop Dulce online. <br />
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Next on the calendar: working with Teresa on a <a href="http://www.austincc.edu/bigread/events.php">Big Read</a> event scheduled November 12. We've organized a "creative circle," where several writers from various disciplines talk about how they approach their work. Musician David Garza, filmmaker Miguel Alvarez, novelist Cristina Garcia, and I will be on hand to chat, sing, read, and show our work. It will be lovely, lively event. More details as they are firmed up.<br />
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Right now, I'm tired but glad to be back home.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-60857898957917183392010-10-15T12:43:00.000-05:002010-10-15T12:43:53.343-05:00Latino Book & Family Festival, Los Angeles - 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLHGDYZCf2Xb35KTlq26BcL2qliwkuhTusAwkkyIw-Ez49dQgN_rvlhjUDVmeVq6_xpdmiViVhDffp_c6uqw9r34O5W4RiprpnuaOi7jzmg7tKYJtUQ5LvvyMR352cS3Ij84yEYHXf8Q/s1600/IMG_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLHGDYZCf2Xb35KTlq26BcL2qliwkuhTusAwkkyIw-Ez49dQgN_rvlhjUDVmeVq6_xpdmiViVhDffp_c6uqw9r34O5W4RiprpnuaOi7jzmg7tKYJtUQ5LvvyMR352cS3Ij84yEYHXf8Q/s320/IMG_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I was there! And here's my name tag to prove it. It was a lovely, sunny day on the campus of California State University, Los Angeles. I was so pleased to see such a nice turn out, and even more pleased to be among friends, old and new. I got to visit with an old friend who I hadn't seen in 20 years. That was such a treat! I got to meet Reyna Grande (who it looks like I'll see again at the Latina Women's Corporate Conference in Phoenix), and catch up with my fellow Macondistas at the LBFF dinner.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmzqzRCtK7g9GueDBP44TrRGMXLi1_reWcdn0xFS1KrTleCMBg8wxmzjPQJkpcX7ragq1-2Pg-PzcIeGxekAF0CWXUJPr5TCd87dqzsxYKM_KxfTIIi89vq1QD_ps1PiiocvYkeBVLaA/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmzqzRCtK7g9GueDBP44TrRGMXLi1_reWcdn0xFS1KrTleCMBg8wxmzjPQJkpcX7ragq1-2Pg-PzcIeGxekAF0CWXUJPr5TCd87dqzsxYKM_KxfTIIi89vq1QD_ps1PiiocvYkeBVLaA/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Macondistas represent! Left to right: Liz Gonzalez, me, Amada Perez, Tatiana de la Tierra. We all appeared on or moderated panels. I spoke on the panel, "Through the Looking Glass: Using Your Life to Write Good Fiction."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxNqeCz_04XKGOOThhYjMBD0XiKW8fA-d-2NghdQG3-t63xWmzpDRcXQ3JzzmhyphenhyphenNhs9DTqcDKFGitzuh21L6-3L44QjX2Dqpi9glqzCBKUBWSL27Vw6QCpVj_n_I_6opNajdJZAy8qT8/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxNqeCz_04XKGOOThhYjMBD0XiKW8fA-d-2NghdQG3-t63xWmzpDRcXQ3JzzmhyphenhyphenNhs9DTqcDKFGitzuh21L6-3L44QjX2Dqpi9glqzCBKUBWSL27Vw6QCpVj_n_I_6opNajdJZAy8qT8/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Chola pose with Edward James Olmos. Not really. I was trying to tell him something when the person taking the picture decided to shoot. Olmos lends his name to the festival, several of which occur around the country. I would really like to get one going in Austin. Heard there's some movement in San Antonio—and it makes sense to have it there. But I think an Austin version would be awesome. On the other hand, I don't need any more distractions from writing. It's a constant battle.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-63030639122277052672010-10-11T11:19:00.000-05:002010-10-11T11:19:04.748-05:00Sandra Cisneros in China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjEqnmvN5ghbppk4nsxCjyFJeIeX7T7D2ZUBxVKDyvxAqn8jLXVfjUOsC1aFhgyz9cSh_BLq0Y4VVlBUv30CJ3duH9j7nhrBMtgFsuPTlEHCL6roAfqJyBWXf8cZ8seJ3oYOqgkb7QvQ/s1600/c50e347143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjEqnmvN5ghbppk4nsxCjyFJeIeX7T7D2ZUBxVKDyvxAqn8jLXVfjUOsC1aFhgyz9cSh_BLq0Y4VVlBUv30CJ3duH9j7nhrBMtgFsuPTlEHCL6roAfqJyBWXf8cZ8seJ3oYOqgkb7QvQ/s320/c50e347143.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><a href="http://www.globaltimes.cn/www/english/metro-beijing/people/profile/2010-10/580235.html">Clique aquí</a>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-85272913677669790522010-10-01T11:35:00.001-05:002010-10-01T12:42:16.200-05:00Save the Date! Oct. 23, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0fp8hHvTVm_oN2Vtv094jtXb5bgXzw5dOIwhCA_26j2Yf6vYaVrmqSPlNcE0sTQbHJa0obs6SdPtx3v9edVkTs8zaNcMazg55igNzZwnlFuKuCZ_6Ze3Ktcxuk-YqmaI6gKIH_R610M/s1600/n318596245466_9736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0fp8hHvTVm_oN2Vtv094jtXb5bgXzw5dOIwhCA_26j2Yf6vYaVrmqSPlNcE0sTQbHJa0obs6SdPtx3v9edVkTs8zaNcMazg55igNzZwnlFuKuCZ_6Ze3Ktcxuk-YqmaI6gKIH_R610M/s200/n318596245466_9736.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Presents: </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"> </span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">A Sweet Evening of </span></span><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Song & Story</span></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Oct. 23, 2010 </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">(time TBA)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Dripping Springs, Texas</span></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">minutes from downtown Austin</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See what's cooking at the area's <a href="http://www.dulcebreadandbookshop.com/">newest book store</a>, specializing in cross cultural and bilingual books. Music by <a href="http://www.myrnarocks.com/">Myrna Cabello</a>, reading by Belinda Acosta & other sweet surprises. </div><span class="" id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"></span></span><br />
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</span></span>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-86911971536089261672010-09-24T11:49:00.000-05:002010-09-24T11:49:11.852-05:00Much Awesomeness at Las Comadres Book Club!<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32x0PSw5f_HpjLnZfg6HFZc8ypWosp74YPEnfmBmOqOC7G5BMYkdKsh6ULn5nuYeI-ZXVDHBukLRTDQPrOP6aQPCxPLhieLavhkZ0ItCZhr2VX_CSEYVzLFLxbx1f5IshgA7Ee8y_Mb8/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32x0PSw5f_HpjLnZfg6HFZc8ypWosp74YPEnfmBmOqOC7G5BMYkdKsh6ULn5nuYeI-ZXVDHBukLRTDQPrOP6aQPCxPLhieLavhkZ0ItCZhr2VX_CSEYVzLFLxbx1f5IshgA7Ee8y_Mb8/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><b>Hello friends and fans! </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;">It's been a while. I am finally feeling like myself after the arthroscopic surgery this summer. I’m doing better and have graduated to a cane. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;">One of my first public appearances post-surgery was at the <b>Las Comadres Book Club</b> here in Austin. This is only one of many Comadres’ Book Clubs that meet monthly around the nation. (So much for the stereotype about Latin@s not reading. Who started that ridiculous idea, anyway?) My recent book, <i><b>Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over</b></i> was the Las Comadres’ Book Club Selection for September, and the North Austin book club invited me to sit in on their discussion about the book. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;">The North Austin book club meets monthly at the Borders Bookstore at the Domain shopping center. Honestly, I don't travel up north much but this was well worth the trip. Do you know what it's like to sit with a group of women who read your book and have all kinds of things to say about it? It was amazing! Even their criticism was lively, offered with good humor, mucho cariño, and appreciation. I was truly, truly honored. Making time to read in this media-rich climate takes a special sort of diligence. It’s easy if you’re bibliophiles, as these women are. Listening to each of them talk, it's clear they devour books and are always on the lookout for more. In fact, they came up with three more books I should write based on their response to <b><i>Sister, Strangers, and Starting Over</i></b> alone! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;">I had a great time with these book lovers and am sure to have more fun this Monday (Sept. 27) during the Las Comadres’ Teleconference. As the featured writer for the month, I will be interviewed by <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.juliaamante.com/"><b>Julia Amante,</b></a> author of <i><b>Evenings at the Argentine Club</b></i>. And you can listen in. Go to the Las Comadres <a href="http://www.lascomadres.org/lco/lco-eng/index.html">website</a> for more information on how to participate in the teleconference.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Below are a few more photos from the evening, thanks to me comadre <a href="http://www.lilianavalenzuela.com/">Liliana Valenzuela</a>. Pictured above are Cynthia Ramos (c) the North Austin book club coordinator. To her left is Rachael Torres, the Las Comadres national book club coordinator. Sorry, I don't recall la comadre's name on the left. Perhaps someone will remind me.</span></div><div style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The party's just getting started.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign in table. I was told these were the last of the books pre-ordered for book club!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="background-color: #eeeeee; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzCFemBumwrbRX5c1tXuc6BaMazuvcLMmcyt0-HOku_KonYf-rIvDCHV4lyrUAXhPQVc8zkrBT44Ed4VplhhBForhzffTUom7gibmDe7IYAsAr8vPG9Nbmsa8aBPu7tvH8XP06cLIjjuQ/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #00152a; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-81235078680377437862010-08-02T11:58:00.000-05:002010-08-02T11:58:49.975-05:00Familial Diversity<a href="http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-13215-Austin-Latino-Neighborhoods-Examiner~y2010m8d2-Familial-Diversity?cid=publish_facebook:13215">Familial Diversity</a>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-90265801179216442152010-07-30T12:36:00.003-05:002010-07-30T12:40:27.018-05:00BookPeople, Austin, Texas: July 23, 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdGWXZPbcq5SWFpsQaYrQ2s8OgrFcxdbhoMea6EV2EuwM-PH2CxQM6EatEP2_ESkzDwXnrgvMuJD6_b5cHjXvZigqjDDLO5C4gLZpRXciQH_Uc4ABMrAhizNKD-pBUNb1EZ65UrxqQY0/s1600/Belinda.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 98px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdGWXZPbcq5SWFpsQaYrQ2s8OgrFcxdbhoMea6EV2EuwM-PH2CxQM6EatEP2_ESkzDwXnrgvMuJD6_b5cHjXvZigqjDDLO5C4gLZpRXciQH_Uc4ABMrAhizNKD-pBUNb1EZ65UrxqQY0/s320/Belinda.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499754750351444082" /></a><br />Note the yummy cupcakes at my elbow. Thanks to all who came out, bought books, and celebrated with me. Mi amiga Myrna Cabello, who sang between reading selections, promises a video clip of the reading. I'll post when it comes in. Oh, and thanks to Perla Cavasos for letting me borrow this pic.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-66026645390375594542010-07-28T15:14:00.003-05:002010-07-28T15:20:11.666-05:00Reader Review: Paulet Smart, Austin, TexasPaulet Smart of <a href="http://thewritejob.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-review-sisters-strangers-and.html">The Write Club</a> posted this sweet review of <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over</span></span> on The Write Club blog. Check it out <a href="http://thewritejob.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-review-sisters-strangers-and.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I have a couple of other reader reviews to post, too. Forgive me. I'm still catching up after the knee surgery. Today, I discovered an entire page of emails I hadn't even opened the last week of June! Which just proves what I've always suspected: I do pretty well with pain, but anesthesia and painkillers—forget it! They make me completely, and utterly useless! <br /><br />Be well!Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-57521910126088715832010-07-18T19:58:00.006-05:002010-07-18T20:18:49.369-05:00Books, Cupcakes & Song<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6XztVldOvcN8LWc53tdowe-ZHC6W8TfA8PucG-9WSbbzll1d4NL64CPcpWZxhyphenhyphenb4pqCtSkRmOUiaY4YYV3FwVxuBUA3V0kheZa_Iw92ouQLkXG7R-jJj8eZjUaGdoDlCwt8HKn0mDik/s1600/MyrnaLogo2010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6XztVldOvcN8LWc53tdowe-ZHC6W8TfA8PucG-9WSbbzll1d4NL64CPcpWZxhyphenhyphenb4pqCtSkRmOUiaY4YYV3FwVxuBUA3V0kheZa_Iw92ouQLkXG7R-jJj8eZjUaGdoDlCwt8HKn0mDik/s320/MyrnaLogo2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495415801038889442" /></a><br /><br />Soooo happy that the lovely and talented <a href="http://www.myrnamusic.com">Myrna Cabello</a> is joining me on my inaugural reading of <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over</span></span>. I've known Myrna for years. We lost touch, then (thankfully) found each other again, just as her singing/songwriting career was taking off. I always knew she could sing. I didn't know what a talented songwriter she was. I'm so thrilled she found a song that would work well as an interlude piece during the reading. Short, simple, and lovely. I got goosebumps as I listened to the MP3 she sent me, later asking me, "Is this all right?" <br /><br />All right? It's amazing!<br /><br />If you're in Austin, join us at <a href="http://www.bookpeople.com">BookPeople</a> as I read a little, Myrna sings a little, and we enjoy amazing cupcakes from <a href="http://www.fourpinkdragonflies.com">Four Pink Dragonflies</a>. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPipviYXoWXRnJdGPq66gBVAiorAHBduX2fWwiNgwcttNKg_u8VBC15FabPY-waKwlE8CT3K241WQcjrGl5sHo76JKx57w6qmlV8rMvcBI4qP79yUjjc3xdxUqIoP2Hu4-pS7PmXkIolA/s1600/logo+(2).jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPipviYXoWXRnJdGPq66gBVAiorAHBduX2fWwiNgwcttNKg_u8VBC15FabPY-waKwlE8CT3K241WQcjrGl5sHo76JKx57w6qmlV8rMvcBI4qP79yUjjc3xdxUqIoP2Hu4-pS7PmXkIolA/s320/logo+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495418557733672210" /></a>Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-55818964044601265942010-07-07T11:32:00.003-05:002010-07-07T11:41:01.170-05:00New knee, new book!It's not how I would have planned it, but I knee surgery last week--just weeks before SISTERS, STRANGERS, AND STARTING OVER is to be released. Have been out of it, but getting better every day. <br /><br />If you are in the Austin area I hope you will come to the SISTERS reading at BookPeople, July 23 at 7pm.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-52481129797115106512010-05-30T17:08:00.003-05:002010-05-30T17:41:59.187-05:00Damas wins the 2010 Mariposa Prize!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuZAZSidVv6wXX3JVXp2lsUOndb6-rz1mCJ89zzfnw9Dp4OHnK89k6m4fxTHDymStfpa0rnkGhIDUcPZFKB63TLykek_9j5H8SvlqEvUzEBtSmr-QdVCZkF7B5g7W125fYuAXy9z2lTs/s1600/2-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuZAZSidVv6wXX3JVXp2lsUOndb6-rz1mCJ89zzfnw9Dp4OHnK89k6m4fxTHDymStfpa0rnkGhIDUcPZFKB63TLykek_9j5H8SvlqEvUzEBtSmr-QdVCZkF7B5g7W125fYuAXy9z2lTs/s320/2-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477188414780182418" border="0" /></a> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The 12th Annual International Latino Book Awards were awarded May 25, 2010, and <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz</span> was a winner! <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Damas</span> received the Mariposa Prize, the award given for Best First Book (English), at this year's awards ceremony held during the BookExpo of America convention in New York City.<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The kind wishes and congratulations received from fellow writers across the nation has been lovely. But the best thing of all is that the award came from Latino Literacy Now, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy and literary excellence within the Latino community. They created the Latino Book Awards in 1999. In addition, they are behind several Latino Book Festivals that take place in Latino-rich communities across the nation. The next one is in Houston this September.<br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">I wasn’t the only celebrated writer. Colleagues and writers I’ve long admired were also recognized for their work, including: Carmen Tafolla, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">René Colato Laiñez</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Oscar Hijuelos</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Marjorie Agosín</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Josefina López</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Barbara Renaud Gonzalez</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carolina de Robertis</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">, Lucha Corpi, and many others were recognized in over 50 categories. <br /><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Congratulations to all the award-winners!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-52809543436413866952010-05-07T03:09:00.006-05:002010-05-07T03:24:21.858-05:00Festival of Texas Writers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVe6DWoP8ncHk94PPLCuGYgybo0o7gHlFdPxIM1f_3ODR18GnTv7GSKdqRs1NHoyj6MZiOIT1HsE98J5nrpyv41D4T-RjyNBxzQtH8Jq6Vq6W-Dmu2HKADPYNtxBWUQrI7IosW_KV-hs/s1600/writersfest-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVe6DWoP8ncHk94PPLCuGYgybo0o7gHlFdPxIM1f_3ODR18GnTv7GSKdqRs1NHoyj6MZiOIT1HsE98J5nrpyv41D4T-RjyNBxzQtH8Jq6Vq6W-Dmu2HKADPYNtxBWUQrI7IosW_KV-hs/s320/writersfest-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468437340613576802" /></a><br />After some old-fashioned rabble-rousing, followed by a few days of diplomacy (and flak-catching), I will appear with John Phillip Santos, Barbara Renaud, and Emilio Zamora on a panel featuring Tejano Writers at this event on Saturday, May 8, in Austin, Texas. Long story. I promise to tell the tale when it's over.<br /><br />In the meantime, click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=670146368#!/event.php?eid=111396642235979&ref=mf">here</a> to get a hint of what happened. It's all good. So far. And if you're in Austin, please come to the Scholtz Garten to get an earful of some hot-damn good writing by some of our best, Tejano writers. In my humble opinion, Santos is brilliant. Barbara Renaud is sublime, and Dr. Zamora is doing that all important work of documenting our history for the future.Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-915163247729822224.post-6234278462106692492010-04-27T15:36:00.014-05:002010-04-27T16:07:08.641-05:00Good news to share<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd1a5YJmMZuc9cpkQvgiv-WhnXk5SHATkdX1dpo55vSLVvT24dnfu1dOOoG2L_hsFEzTY5taqrxuuoaZauIm2gIKxRS5ZlY92N9D6r_NxXoctdM9GLq6A4WzsKf8Gd2xBduo4KyUJZC8/s1600/SISTERS.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgd1a5YJmMZuc9cpkQvgiv-WhnXk5SHATkdX1dpo55vSLVvT24dnfu1dOOoG2L_hsFEzTY5taqrxuuoaZauIm2gIKxRS5ZlY92N9D6r_NxXoctdM9GLq6A4WzsKf8Gd2xBduo4KyUJZC8/s320/SISTERS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464918971196188162" border="0" /></a> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);"><i style=""><u>Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over</u></i></b><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">, the second book in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Quinceañera</span> Club series </span>(July 2010) has been included in the Recommended Reading List for this year's Children's Day/Books Day, El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">día</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">los</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">niños</span>/El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">día</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">de</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">los</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">libros</span>, April 30, 2010. My book is among the Young Adult titles. The Association of Library Service to Children (a division of the American Library Association) assembles the list, along with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">REFORMA</span> (the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking) and the Association of American Publishers Publishing Latino Voices for America Task Force.<br /><br />While my book was </span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">not</b> originally conceived as a Young Adult novel, I'm honored to be recognized by librarians. They were among the most important people in my early reading and writing life, and I still harbor the idea of going back to school to become a librarian. As if this honor weren't enough, I am equally thrilled to be included with authors like <b style="">Oscar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hijuelos</span></b>, <b style="">Pat Mora</b>, and <b style="">Carlos Ruiz <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Safron</span></b>.<br /><br />Along with this good news, I received the Latino Books Month Recommended Reading List. That list, I'm pleased to say, includes some friends and colleagues: </span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">Amelia <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Montes</span></b> (who wrote the introduction to <b style="">Maria Amparo Ruiz <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">de</span> Burton's</b> <i style=""><u>Who Would Have Thought It?</u></i>), and <b style="">John Phillip Santos</b>. Amelia, John Phillip and I are members of the <a href="http://macondofoundation.org"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Macondo</span> Writers' Collective</a>. Other notable writers on the adult list include: Reyna <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Grande</span>, Roberto <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Bolaño</span>, Jorge Luis Borges, and Helen Thorpe. All this news is "hot off the press." When an active link to a website is available, I'll be sure to post so you can read both the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Día</span> and the Latino Books Month lists in their entirety.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Recognition for <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Sisters....</span> came earlier when <a href="http://www.lascomadres.org/lco/lco-eng/events/bookclub.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Las</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Comadres</span></a> selected it for their September 2010 book club read. I will also participate in their teleconference, which should be interesting. This newspaper writer is not used to being interviewed. I guess there's a first time for everything!<br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Belinda Acostahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09759383629625938481noreply@blogger.com2