La Quinceañera books by Belinda Acosta

Check out my buddy's new blog

2011-08-05T12:06:00.000-05:00

If you've never heard of Vicente Lozano 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.

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.

Vince only has two posts. But please read and comment. It will encourage him and I'm all for encouraging good writers!

CantoMundo Comes to Austin

2011-07-06T16:56:00.007-05:00

Read my feature about CantoMundo, the new Latino poets collective HERE.

Sadly, it's one of the last books features to be published in the Austin Chronicle, 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.

I'm thinking about changing the title of this blog. Not sure to what. Will give it some thought and announce.

'What You See in the Dark': my review

2011-03-24T11:54:00.000-05:00

My brief 300 word review in my home publication, The Austin Chronicle, cannot capture the full breadth of my astonishment over what Manuel Muñoz has accomplished in his debut novel, What You See in the Dark. 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 Psycho). 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.

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!

Please click on the title above to read my review. What do what you think? I'd like to know.

Iréne in el Valle!

2011-03-02T16:26:00.000-06:00

Iréne Lara Silva reading

Check out fellow Macondista and amazing poet, Iréne Lara Silva as she reads from her work, Furia, 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.

Congrats to Iréne! You really threw yourself, mujer!

A shout out from Sandra Cisneros— How cool is that?

2011-01-29T11:49:00.000-06:00

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 Talk of the Nation, hosted by Neal Conan. Click on this link to read the transcript and listen to what what said. The remarks at the end of this interview are also illuminating.

Going to San Anto, Baybee!

2011-01-13T14:35:00.000-06:00

New in 2011

2011-01-10T11:53:00.001-06:00

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 Austin Chronicle. 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 of Charanga Cakewalk's Chicano Zen.

The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology is available from the University of Texas Press next month. To pre-order or to get the deets, click here.

Oh! I can't wait!

2010-12-17T12:16:00.000-06:00

This is priceless! You're welcome.

2010-12-02T11:30:00.000-06:00

Las Bernsteinistas en Austin

2010-11-20T17:24:00.000-06:00

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. :-)

Uniendo Talentos--A huge success!

2010-11-18T12:55:00.002-06:00

Here are a few photos from Uniendos Talentos (a Big Read event) that occurred at Dominican Joe's 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.

In this photo: screenwriter MIGUEL ALVAREZ, novelist CRISTINA GARCIA, and singer/songwriter DAVID GARZA.

Me (standing) along with the panelists, after the event.

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?

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, The Austin Chronicle on Thanksgiving (the article should be posted on our website Nov. 25 or 26, 2010). She read from her newest novel, The Lady Matador's Hotel, but did you know that she's also released a new book of poetry this year titled, The Lesser Tragedy of Death? 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 Chronicle piece. I hope I did her justice.

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 here for more information.

Uniendo Talentos--A Writers' Circle at the Big Read

2010-11-04T12:27:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of The Big Read, 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 Julia Alvarez (who so kindly and generously blurbed my first book, Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz.)

As a writer, reading and literacy is one of my causes. So, I was thrilled when Dulce Bread and Bookshop 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 Myrna Cabello (who, regrettably, will not be able to join us this time around), I think we've assembled a fabulous event: Uniendo Talentos: A Latino Writers Creative Circle. 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 Cristina Garcia, Austin-based singer-songwriter David Garza, and up and coming filmmaker, Miguel Alvarez. What will be unusual about this event is that the artists are invited to ask each other questions about their work:
How is a poem like a song?
What is the language of film?
How do we hear words?

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!

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 here for the details. Hope you can make it.

On the road & back again

2010-10-27T15:31:00.000-05:00

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.

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 here to shop Dulce online.

Next on the calendar: working with Teresa on a Big Read 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.

Right now, I'm tired but glad to be back home.

Latino Book & Family Festival, Los Angeles - 2010

2010-10-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

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.

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."

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.

Sandra Cisneros in China

2010-10-11T11:19:00.000-05:00

Clique aquí

Save the Date! Oct. 23, 2010

2010-10-01T11:35:00.001-05:00

Presents:

A Sweet Evening of Song & Story

Oct. 23, 2010

(time TBA)

Dripping Springs, Texas

minutes from downtown Austin

See what's cooking at the area's newest book store, specializing in cross cultural and bilingual books. Music by Myrna Cabello, reading by Belinda Acosta & other sweet surprises.

Much Awesomeness at Las Comadres Book Club!

2010-09-24T11:49:00.000-05:00

Hello friends and fans!

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.

One of my first public appearances post-surgery was at the Las Comadres Book Club 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, Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over 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.

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 Sister, Strangers, and Starting Over alone!

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 Julia Amante, author of Evenings at the Argentine Club. And you can listen in. Go to the Las Comadres website for more information on how to participate in the teleconference.

Below are a few more photos from the evening, thanks to me comadre Liliana Valenzuela. 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.

The party's just getting started.

The sign in table. I was told these were the last of the books pre-ordered for book club!

Familial Diversity

2010-08-02T11:58:00.000-05:00

Familial Diversity

BookPeople, Austin, Texas: July 23, 2010

2010-07-30T12:36:00.003-05:00

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.

Reader Review: Paulet Smart, Austin, Texas

2010-07-28T15:14:00.003-05:00

Paulet Smart of The Write Club posted this sweet review of Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over on The Write Club blog. Check it out here.

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!

Be well!

Books, Cupcakes & Song

2010-07-18T19:58:00.006-05:00

Soooo happy that the lovely and talented Myrna Cabello is joining me on my inaugural reading of Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over. 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?"

All right? It's amazing!

If you're in Austin, join us at BookPeople as I read a little, Myrna sings a little, and we enjoy amazing cupcakes from Four Pink Dragonflies.

New knee, new book!

2010-07-07T11:32:00.003-05:00

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.

If you are in the Austin area I hope you will come to the SISTERS reading at BookPeople, July 23 at 7pm.

Damas wins the 2010 Mariposa Prize!

2010-05-30T17:08:00.003-05:00

The 12th Annual International Latino Book Awards were awarded May 25, 2010, and Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz was a winner! Damas 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.

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.

I wasn’t the only celebrated writer. Colleagues and writers I’ve long admired were also recognized for their work, including: Carmen Tafolla, René Colato Laiñez, Oscar Hijuelos, Marjorie Agosín, Josefina López, Barbara Renaud Gonzalez, Carolina de Robertis, Lucha Corpi, and many others were recognized in over 50 categories.

Congratulations to all the award-winners!

Festival of Texas Writers

2010-05-07T03:09:00.006-05:00

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.

In the meantime, click here 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.

Good news to share

2010-04-27T15:36:00.014-05:00

Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over, the second book in the Quinceañera Club series (July 2010) has been included in the Recommended Reading List for this year's Children's Day/Books Day, El día de los niños/El día de los libros, 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 REFORMA (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.

While my book was not 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 Oscar Hijuelos, Pat Mora, and Carlos Ruiz Safron.

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: Amelia Montes (who wrote the introduction to Maria Amparo Ruiz de Burton's Who Would Have Thought It?), and John Phillip Santos. Amelia, John Phillip and I are members of the Macondo Writers' Collective. Other notable writers on the adult list include: Reyna Grande, Roberto Bolaño, 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 Día and the Latino Books Month lists in their entirety.

Recognition for Sisters.... came earlier when Las Comadres 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!

Check out the photos from the Quinceañera event April 17, 2010

2010-04-19T00:21:00.004-05:00

Gloria Espitia, the liaison to the Mexican American community for the Austin History Center and her small crew of volunteers did a lovely job of pulling together many people, with many needs, into one tidy event. Gloria blames me for the event. I say it was all her idea. The one thing we agree on is that expanding the voices of women in the Mexican American Oral History Project in Austin is a must. That's why this event was so important: to spread the word and encourage more women and their families to come forward and tell their stories—quinceañera stories and others.

In this photo, I'm standing next to Teresa Carbajal Ravet's lovely signage for her new venture, Dulce Bread and Bookshop (which I've written about before). So excited for Teresa!!

To look at more photos, click here.

Quinceañeras: A Celebration of Community, Family, Faith, and Symbolism

2010-04-13T22:07:00.002-05:00

April 17, 2010 1pm-4:30pm
Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St., Austin, Texas

Gloria Espitia says this was all my idea. I say it was hers. We agree to disagree. My ultimate goal is to expand the oral histories from women in the Mexican American Archive at the Austin History Center (of which Gloria serves as custodian). Having used those archives, I saw that the history of women could stand to be beefed up a bit. So, when Damas... came out, I thought, what a great way to collect some of those stories, kind of like they do on StoryCorps on NPR.

Gloria has done an outstanding job of training volunteer interviewers, as well as pulling together this event, practically single-handed. I will be reading from Damas, sharing the stage with the esteemed Norma Cantú, who will share her research on the quinceañera and other rituals. I am hoping that Dulce Bread and Bookshop will be there to sell books. If not, I'll give you the skinny on site on how to get your very own copy of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz.

Here's the program, thanks to the Austin History Center flyer:
• Belinda G. Acosta will read from her book Damas, Drama and Ana Ruiz
• Dr. Norma E. Cantu will speak on La Quinceañera: A Chicana/Latina Coming of Age Ritual.
• Fashion show sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Central Texas
• Panel discussion relating to the differences and similarities of quinceañeras in Latin@ cultures
• Oral history interviews conducted with families who have celebrated quinceañeras.

Event is free and open to the public

For more information: contact Gloria Espitia or call (512) 974-7498.

Who shops at indie bookstores? President Obama does

2010-03-27T14:20:00.003-05:00

Who shops at indie bookstores? President Obama does

Posted using ShareThis

Oh, this makes me so very, very happy, especially on a day when I decided I was going to go on a book buying spree at my favorite indie bookstore here in Austin, BookPeople. And the fact that Obama was buying books for young people only makes me happier. Speaking of happy, my cockles were warmed when the Noche de Cuentos event I participated in last week had an info table from the Austin Public Library set up. Among the books on display was a copy of DAMAS... Call me a dork, but seeing that little sticker on the spine gave me such a warm feeling, as did the news from one of the young people who saw the book and asked if she could have it. "Yes," the spokesperson behind the table said. "You can check it out at the library!" It's the little things that make it all worth it.

2010-03-11T09:28:00.001-06:00

In spite of what the New York Times says, my favorite place in Austin for breakfast tacos (and hot damn, good coffee) is Curra's on E. Oltorf. What's yours?

More ¡Ajuas! This time, for Lorraine M. Lopez!!!

2010-02-25T16:41:00.004-06:00

My confidant and fellow Macondista LORRAINE M. LOPEZ is among this year's PEN/Faulkner Fiction nominees! I can't tell you how thrilled I am for her. Also nominated are Sherman Alexie for War Dances; Barbara Kingsolver for The Lacuna; Lorrie Moore for A Gate at the Stairs; and Colson Whitehead for Sag Harbor. When I spoke to Lorraine about her nomination, she was still in a daze... started to veer into that, "I can't believe my luck" talk. There may be some luck involved, but no amount of luck will get crap writing this kind of recognition. Read about Lorraine and her fellow nominees here.

2010-02-24T11:21:00.001-06:00

A big AJUA! to Vicki Grise of San Anto for winning the Yale Drama Series Award.

A Journey of Books

2010-02-22T01:02:00.004-06:00

A lovely review of Damas from A Journey of Books. It came out in August but my Google Reader just found it today. I really like the voice of this blogger (and not just because nice things were written). There's a zeal in the voice that I really appreciate. Hope Sisters, Strangers, and Starting Over will get some love from this site as well.

Dulce Bread & Bookshop is LIVE!

2010-02-11T10:03:00.004-06:00

Congrats to Teresa Carbajal! She officially launched Dulce Bread & Bookshop for your reading pleasure. Check out her new sight, be a fan, order a book, and more importantly: read!

'Content is king,' according to WIRED Magazine

2010-02-03T11:23:00.004-06:00

And content creators? Check out this piece and find out:
Macmillan’s Amazon Beatdown Proves Content Is King

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More surprises...

2010-01-29T13:30:00.005-06:00

I just found out Professor Sonia Saldivar-Hull is going to teach Damas... later this spring in one of her English classes at the University of Texas San Antonio. How that came to pass makes me smile. Turns out my friend Javier gave a copy of the book to her, through her husband. Javier works as a freelance operating room nurse—moves from hospital to hospital as doctors' personal surgical assistants. Well, Dr. Hull is one of his doctors! Which just goes to show: it's who you know. Speaking of which, it looks like I may meet one of the producers for Real Women Have Curves next week. Again, another chance encounter. Who knows where that will lead?!

On another note, I've been getting word that Sisters, Strangers, And Starting Over, the second book in the Quinceañera Club series, is available for pre-sale at various online sources. Check it out!

And lastly, I'll be appearing at the Quince Expo here in Austin at the Travis County Expo Center. Yes, you heard that right: the Expo center, meaning they are expecting a humongous turnout! I'll be hanging out at the Girl Scouts of Central Texas and the Austin History Center booth. They are working together to launch the Quinceañera Oral History Project. I'm their unofficial spokesperson—Gloria Espitia of the History Center insists it was all my idea. I insist it was hers. We've agreed to disagree. What we both agree on is the need to capture the stories of Mexican American women in Austin and beyond. Having accessed the Mexican American archives of the Austin History Center in the past, it's clear that the voice of women is present, but not as strong as it should be. We hope to change that with this and other projects in the future.

If you're in Austin and going to the Quince Expo, please come by and say "hello." I have some goodies to give away....maybe you'll be a lucky recipient?

New Year's Surprise!

2010-01-04T18:00:00.002-06:00

The Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio has included DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ among their Top Ten Hispanic Books of 2009! And in the company of Carolina De Robertis (THE INVISIBLE MOUNTAIN), Oscar Casares (AMIGOLAND), and Benjamin Saenz (LAST NIGHT I SANG TO THE MONSTER)? Pinch me.

Check out the entire SLHW list here: http://ping.fm/kIAAl

Sad news from Juarez

2009-12-26T13:26:00.002-06:00

Sad news and a reminder of what's left to be done.

2009-12-22T13:15:00.001-06:00

FronteraFest 2010: Thursday January 14th - Hyde Park Theatre - Hyde Park Theatre - NowPlayingAustin.com http://ping.fm/WFEgg

A peaceful holiday season to all my dear readers....

2009-12-17T11:31:00.006-06:00

Family, dear friends, and good books...what more do you need?

Kirkus Reviews gone, Goodreads Grows

2009-12-10T15:40:00.002-06:00

http://ping.fm/2jcOM

Reading Challenge 2010

2009-12-06T14:12:00.002-06:00

Smart idea from bookworm & blogger at http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/2009/12/clear-off-your-shelves-challenge-2010.html

Nice issue of Austin Woman Magazine

2009-12-01T18:09:00.005-06:00

And I'm not just saying that because I'm included! The cover story is about the women of the Austin Theater scene and JoAnn Carreon Reyes of Teatro Vivo is among those profiled. Finally, JoAnn gets some attention after all these years of working behind the scenes.

My thanks to Claudia Álarcon for the lovely write up about DAMAS in Austin Woman Magazine. If you click here, you will be taken straight to the piece, which was published as a web extra to the magazine. Enjoy!

Artivists unite!

2009-11-29T21:46:00.001-06:00

Below is an important message from a good friend in Mexico City. It is one of many events being created to commemorate the long, ongoing violence against women in Juarez. The plight of the women of Juarez has been largely overlooked, first, due to inefficiency and corruption. Now, due to the ever rising drug war on the border which seems to be considered more sexy and salacious than the lives of missing women. It is a subject that disturbs me, as it should all people who seek truth and justice.

Read the call for "artivists" below and see if you can help. If not, please help spread the word.

The message follows:

Dear Friends,

In March 2010, there will be a series of events in Mexico City, Mexico, Los Angeles, California, and other cities, meant to be a ritual of ritual of mourning for the femicides in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua: Art as a pathway of opposition and resistance to violence.

I invite you to be part of this initiative of Artivism, for which I am sending the link to our blog, where you will find the Call for Entries. This invitation is open to all citizens, organizations and artists.

The events in March will include awareness raising creative workshops, intervention actions, plays and performances and the exhibition of the art work received through the call for entries and the resulting work form the workshops.

http://unaoracionporjuarez.blogspot.com/

For those who do not live in Mexico City or Los Angeles metropolitan areas, we invite you to organize your own community activity during the same month of March, 2010. It could be an Art Exhibit, a book discussion, a movie screening, a poetry reading, etc. We ask you to include the original title of this event A Prayer for Juarez, and to send us your schedule, and later on, photos and documentation, to be included in the blog.

To include your event, or for any kind of issue related, please write to us:

In the US: aprayerforjuarez@gmail.com

In Mexico: unaoracionporjuarez@gmail.com

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO PEOPLE YOU KNOW WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING

Thank you,

Pilar Rodríguez Aranda

unaoracionporjuarez@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134322601641&ref=ts

De Robertis book is an Oprah Pick!

2009-11-20T13:42:00.006-06:00

Man, I love it when good things happen to great people!

Carolina De Robertis's The Invisible Mountain was recently selected as one of "10 Terrific Reads in 2009" by O, The Oprah Magazine. ¡Orale!

I met Carolina at this year's Texas Book Festival, seeking her out at the suggestion of my fellow Macondistas and writing allies, Liliana Valenzuela and Vicente Lozano. Unlike me, they had the pleasure of meeting Carolina at Macondo (I didn't go this year), but I caught up with her at the cocktail party Nora Comstock of Las Comadres organized for Latin@ writers during the TBF (see photos at my FaceBook fansite). As promised, Carolina was as gracious and lovely as Lili and Chente said she would be. The next day, The Invisible Mountain was among my book festival purchases and I added it to the teetering pile of books to devour over the holiday break.

I am delighted for Carolina and I hope she's enjoying this boost. As I've said elsewhere, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Felicidades Carolina!

Cover for the second book in the Quinceañera Club series

2009-11-20T03:33:00.003-06:00

I stumbled upon it while on Amazon.com. I'm still not fond of the title but I like the image of the blanket fluttering in the breeze.

What do you think?

New Review from Rigoberto Gonzalez

2009-11-19T10:00:00.002-06:00

My Latino Book Review: Belinda Acosta's "Drama, Damas and Ana Ruiz" http://ping.fm/KOji4

Scenes from the Texas Book Festival, 2009

2009-11-02T15:33:00.022-06:00

Although I met many awesome writers (Lucha Corpi, Carolina De Robertis, C.M. Mayo, y el mero, mero, Luis Alberto Urrea) and had the pleasure of sitting in on a dynamic panel, the highlight of the Texas Book Festival for me was meeting these chicanitas from South Texas.

After our panel, "Mama Dramas," my colleagues and I went to the Author's Tent to greet our adoring fans. Okay, our lines weren't as long as they were for Richard Russo across the tent from us, but it was a lovely morning, and we were surrounded by books and readers! As our time was up, we began to say our goodbyes when this group of chicanitas came up. The leader of the group, Yanellie (pictured holding the book) stepped forward and asked sweetly, "Excuse me Miss. Do you know where we can find Belinda Acosta?" When I responded that I was she, her eyes widened. She had read Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz and loved it. She had checked it out from her high school library (librarians rule!) and was looking forward to getting her own autographed copy at the festival. She seemed crestfallen that my autograph time was up. So, what else was there to do but walk with Yanellie and the girls to the booksellers tent so she could get her book? After which, I signed it and we took this picture. The girls were delightful, eager young women, and readers! I wish you could see their T-shirts which read: "I [heart] reading." Eso!

Pictured from left to right: Nohemi, me, Yanellie, and Melissa from Palm View High in Palm View, Texas.

For more photos from this year's Texas Book Festival, please visit my FaceBook Fan page.

Posting on the fly

2009-10-31T13:47:00.003-05:00

Has discovered she has groupies at the Texas Book Festival!

2009-10-31T13:40:00.001-05:00

Discovered she has groupies!

DAMAS y SELENIDAD, sitting pretty at BookWoman

2009-10-07T14:02:00.004-05:00

Here's a copy of DAMAS next to SELENIDAD (Duke University Press), a new book by my friend, Deborah Paredez, sitting pretty together at Austin's only feminist bookstore, BookWoman. Paredez is a professor in the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of Texas, here in Austin. I've only read the introduction, but already I'm engrossed with how she talks about the "performance" of memory. Using Selena Quintanilla as the foundation of her discussion is very wise and as if that weren't enough, Deborah is a great writer! SELENIDAD is an academic publication, but don't let that stop you from checking it out. It's totally accessible to the non-academic reader and a must read for anyone interested in the Selena phenomena and for those who are curious about Paredez's larger thesis.

Posting on the fly...

2009-10-06T10:55:00.001-05:00

...while testing ping.fm.

Just got requests for interviews on Univison and local PBS affiliate KLRU. I'll post, if they let me!

My Book, The Movie!

2009-10-04T13:56:00.004-05:00

I love this idea by fellow blogger Marshal Zeringue — to dream of who you'd cast in a movie of your book — and so appreciate his invitation to participate. Click here to read his recent posting. Enjoy!

The photo to the left is a detail from a tiara vendor's goodies at the last Quince Expo I attended. Gotta love the tiara! I have a new appreciation.

Interview with Vince Lozano at Macondo

2009-09-13T12:19:00.005-05:00

My dear friend Vince Lozano posted a lovely interview with me at the Macondo Website. Like Vince, the interview is full of that wry affection so many of us adore in him. He is one of the writers I most admire—doing the work even when it's hard, even when it's not fun, even when it hurts. He and I have talked a lot about the need for the general public to hear the romantic notion of what it means to be a writer. I hate to break it to you, but there is nothing romantic about it. It's work. It's hard work. It has it's rewards from time to time, but ultimately, there is nothing glamorous about it. Another reason why, if you say you want to be a writer, my response is always: "Well, then go do it." People who should be writers are those people who are not much good at anything else. I don't wake up every morning and turn over to talk sweet nothings with my muse. Most of the time, I'm growling for my coffee, trying to keep all the little figments of what's left to be done from overcrowding my head.

Sorry to be so snarky. I am getting ready for presentations to several classes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (thanks to my good friend y comadre, Amelia Montes--another Macondista and a professor at UNL). The questions are generally the same: How do I get an agent? How fast did you get published? Where should I send my work? My response to those questions is: Is your work done? (Nine times out of ten, the answer is "no.") At which case I snarl: Go do the work. All your attention should be on the work. The rest, while necessary, is not important (to publishers, publicists, agents, to those who want to be famous--it's very important). Writers have—or should have—other things occupying their minds. And if you're a writer—a real writer—I don't have to tell you what that is.

Okay....enough of this bad mood. I'm in a lovely coffee house in Lincoln. The weather is divine and the coffee is piping hot. Getting ready for a small pachanga at my aunt's house. Looking forward to that, mainly because although my aunt is only a few years older than me, whenever she sees me, her hands fly into the air as she exclaims, "My baby!" It makes me cringe and laugh at the same time. Ah, familia!

DAMAS at the Texas Book Festival

2009-09-04T13:57:00.005-05:00

The Texas Book Festival just posted their 2009 author's list. I'm thrilled to be included with the likes of Carmen Tafolla, Luis Alberto Urrea, and Oscar Casares. And the description of Damas is just lovely. I'm really honored. For those of you who've written saying you wished you lived in Austin, now's a good excuse to come for a visit! It's the same weekend as Dia de los Muertos, one of my favorite events of the entire year (Austin's Mexic-Arte Museum hosts the biggest, baddest Dia de los Muertos events in town).

Be sure to check out the entire list of authors and events at the Texas Book Festival. The full schedule is not posted yet, so check back often.

Damas in non-bookish places

2009-09-02T22:50:00.001-05:00

Look Who's reading DAMAS, DRAMAS, AND ANA RUIZ

2009-08-31T17:44:00.002-05:00

It's been a hectic two weeks. Just now catching my breath! I did a heap of laundry today after many, many, many weeks of delay. This book release business is exhausting, but it's been great to meet so many excited readers and fans new to the Quinceañera Club series.

I'm starting something new here on the blog: if anyone can send me the most unusual pic of Damas—either in an unusual setting, or with a copy of the book in the hands of a famous/near famous person—and the photo makes me laugh, sigh, or go "wow," I'll send you a FREE book. Yes, that's right: a free book, right to your mailbox!

Send your photos to me at nuevob@gmail.com. Please, nothing "blue" or off-color.

My selections are totally subjective but may be selected based on the quality of the photo in addition to the content. So, your blurry photos won't fly and your super-high-res-photos will not upload. Use "web quality" on your camera, if possible. I'll pick a winner each week. In the meantime, I'm going to upload photos from my friends and colleagues collected since Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz came out.

This photo: creatures in Cuernevaca, Mexico courtesy of Liliana Valenzuela: translator, poet, wife, mother, Macondista, y mi comadre buena.

Indie Live Austin Interview with Elliot Jackson

2009-08-24T15:47:00.004-05:00

Elliot did the interview, but the remarkable Johnny Ramirez is the savant behind this wonderful series that goes to look for what's new and exciting in Austin's Latino music and culture scene. Interspersed with the musical performances are interviews with artists. I am honored that Johnny and his crew decided to include me in their series. My interview (posted below) should air sometime in September. But you can always find Indie Live Austin clips on YouTube and Vimeo.

Belinda Acosta-Book Release Party from Johnny Ramirez on Vimeo.

DAMAS Book Release party was DA BOMB!!!!!

2009-08-19T18:32:00.004-05:00

Oh, my goodness! The book release party was even more fabulous than I hoped it would be! Yes, there are more photos to come. Many friends brought their cameras and I'm in the process of gathering their media files and will upload a photo album asap. In the meantime, check out Mr. Michael Barnes's "Out & About" column posted this afternoon (he's the Austin American-Statesman's Social Critic). He's got some great photos, including some of the lovely quinces who graced us with their loveliness (yeah, I had on the tiara, but they charmed the crowd—and me. They were adorable).

My feet are sore and my apartment is a disaster area (did I mention that they are re-plumbing my unit, starting the week of the release party? Don't ask). But no time to whine. Must move on to the next thing on my long list of things to do. Boring things like laundry and important things like planning for my first San Antonio readings on Aug. 29 (check the events calendar elsewhere on this site).

Oh, just in case you were wondering: I have no idea why my mouth is open. Thankfully, the lovely Racheal Torres takes the attention off my goofy expression. Racheal is "la madre de Las Comadres Book Club." She's in charge of managing all the details of the bookclubs Las Comadres has—a great woman, a new friend, and best of all, a reader! What writer wouldn't love her?

Virtual ink from UT-Austin

2009-08-18T11:20:00.006-05:00

A little online ink from my alma mater. I'm not so fond of my "official" publicity photo, so I'm including this candid shot with me and mi hermanito Paul Saucido. See post below for the fabulous interview he did with me last week.

Belinda on SONIDO BOOMBOX

2009-08-14T09:45:00.005-05:00

Paul Saucido, the host of Sonido Boombox, which originates here in Austin, Texas, was kind enough to include me on his show. If you live in Austin, you can catch new episodes on Fridays at 8pm on cable channel 15.

A clip of our interview is below. FYI....Paul is one of my handsome bailadores for the book release party on August 18. ¡Ajua!

Belinda Acosta Interview from SaucidoSlant on Vimeo.

DAMAS hits bookstores Aug. 11!

2009-08-05T22:49:00.009-05:00

Can you believe it? It's still not real to me—I'll believe it when I walk into my favorite bookstore on August 11, and see it there in living color.

Speaking of "living color," check out this pretty palette of dresses in the photo. This was taken at the end of the fashion show at the Quince Expo & Latina Bridal Festival I appeared at last weekend in Austin, Texas. The expo is not your typical "book event," but I had to go when the invite was warmly offered by event planner (and sister las comadres member) Cindy Benavides. If there was any doubt that anyone heard me, those doubts were dashed when en eager bunch of young women and their mothers came up after I read to find out more about the book. Looks like there's a bright future for the Quinceañera Club series. Eso!

If you'd like to read an excerpt of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz, scroll down below or clique aqui.

UPDATE: A local rep from Barnes & Noble here in Austin told me that Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is in her store now. Also, family in Nebraska reports they got their copies ordered from Amazon in the mail on Friday.

Sneak Peek of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz

2009-07-31T11:11:00.006-05:00

My home newspaper, the Austin Chronicle, has graciously run a sneak peek of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz! Click here to read the opening prologue.

The book is available for pre-order now online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon, as well as your local independent bookstore. Damas, officially goes on sale Aug. 11.

New review from Teresa Carbajal Ravet

2009-07-29T07:36:00.005-05:00

Teresa is an Austin-based blogger, a mother, a writer, a translator, a reader, and one of Austin's local coordinators of the Las Comadres Book Club. I've spent many lovely evenings chatting with Teresa and other comadres about books written by Latin@ writers, and I so appreciate her enthusiasm and passion for the written word. Read her generous review of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz here.

Flores!!!

2009-07-20T15:43:00.008-05:00

My dear friend Michal is one of the "hormigas" making small, Mexican paper flowers for the book release party! Here is his first batch. They look even more lovely in person. You can't see the green stems, but we will be attaching bookmarks from Grand Central Publishing (featuring all their Latino-themed titles) and giving them away as party favors to attendees. Makes you want to come, right?

The book release party for Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is August 18, from 6pm to 8pm at Cuba Libre in Austin, Texas.

Quince or Sweet 16?

2009-07-17T08:52:00.006-05:00

Latinitas, the first and only digital magazine by and for Latina girls and youth wants to know: Quince or Sweet 16? They are currently collecting thoughts on the subject here.

I'm so pleased to say that Latinitas was born and raised in Austin, Tejas, by two, very dynamic Latinas, Laura Donnelly (a new mami!) and Alicia Rascon. In a few short years, they have expanded their reach and now have an office in El Paso, where Alicia now lives with her family.

A print version of Latinitas came out earlier this year, with plans to roll out a regular publication later in the year. Click here to read a lovely, first person account of Anna-Alizette Ruiz's quinceañera and what it meant to her. Eso!

Who says Latinos aren't connected?

2009-07-13T18:58:00.004-05:00

San Antonio's Jo Ann Yolanda Hernández is working it at her blog and website BronzeWord Latino Writers. And her links list is prodigious! Check it out here.

Q&A with Joy Castro now online

2009-07-10T10:13:00.005-05:00

The follow-up to Joy Castro's remarkable review can be found here.

Joy Castro reviews DAMAS

2009-07-06T12:23:00.005-05:00

Joy Castro is a writer (The Truth Book), a professor, the bloggera behind joycastro.com, and an esteemed colleague through our membership in Macondo, the writers' collective created by Sandra Cisneros. I'm proud to call Joy a home girl—she lives in my home town of Lincoln, Nebraska, where she's a professor of English at the University of Nebraska.

Joy has totally blown me away with her enormously thoughtful critique of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz. Click here to read what she has to say about the book, Latina Letters, and where Damas falls in the spectrum of popular women's literature.

Q&A With LATINIDAD's Marcela Landres now online.

2009-07-06T10:39:00.008-05:00

I first met Marcela Landres at a seminar she conducted at San Antonio's Gemini Ink . My goodness—that was at least ten years ago! I'm delighted that Marcela and I were able to reconnect after all these years. Please read the Q & A she so graciously posted in her Latinidad website by clicking here.

Posting on the fly

2009-07-04T07:22:00.008-05:00

Belinda has sampled cupcakes from Four Pink Dragonflies, the official baker for the book release party August 18. (See Events Calendar post). I don't know how Maritza Lujan, the wizard behind Four Pink Dragonflies does it. All I know is that one bite = heaven.

Love the name of Maritza's business—named for her four daughters. Sweet!

Posting on the fly

2009-07-03T18:45:00.005-05:00

Belinda is taste testing the "Quince Cocktail" for the book release party Aug. 18. YUM!

Check the Events Calendar Post for more information on the book release party and upcoming readings.

EVENTS CALENDAR--check back often

2009-06-30T12:47:00.008-05:00

August 25
Reading
BookPeople - 6th & Lamar - Austin, Texas
7pm

August 29
Brunch with the Author
Viva! Book Store, 8407 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 11am
Reading
Barnes & Noble - 321 NW Loop 410 - San Antonio, Texas 3pm

September 16
Classroom appearances, lecture, reading
University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Nebraska

September 18
Reading & appearance
Nebraska Literary Festival –Omaha, Nebraska

September 20
Reception, reading, and special
Mother + Daughter Workshop (details TBA)
BookWoman Book Store - 5501 N. Lamar Blvd. - Austin, Texas

September 26, 27
Appearance
Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Trade Show
Greenville, South Carolina

*October 16, 17
Reading/Performance
Myrna Cabello Show Long Performance Center – Austin, Texas

October 31, November 1
Reading & Appearance
Texas Book Festival – Austin, Texas

Writers' League of Texas Conference

2009-06-27T07:23:00.002-05:00

I'm speaking at the Writers' League of Texas Conference in sizzling hot Austin, Texas, today. (At 7am, it was 81 degrees! We've had a heat wave.) Sunblock, purple horn rims, and cowboy boots—check! Actually, I'm wearing my most fabulous sea green blue, sequined, kitten heel slides. Meow!

Will also meet my editor at Grand Central Publishing, Selina McLemore, face-to-face today. Looking forward to it. I think. I'm going to get notes on the second book of the series I turned in on June 1. I always plan for the worse and hope for the best. Worst case: "I love it! Change everything!" Best case: "I love it! Everything is perfect! Look, it's snowing!"

The comments will probably fall somewhere in the middle. :-D

Viva Las Comadres!

2009-06-24T10:30:00.005-05:00

Is there a Las Comadres group in your city? More specifically, is there a Las Comadres Book Club near you?

Thanks to the diligence, faith, and inspiration of Austin-based Nora de Hoyos Comstock, Las Comadres groups have formed all over the nation. The basic purpose of the group is to provide a monthly meeting space for Latinas to network and support each other. Notices about jobs, conferences, events, and other information of special note to Latinas arrives in members' email daily. But Nora has pushed the group beyond a networking organization to include a variety of projects from professional development to gardening (check out the website).

Near to my heart is the Las Comadres Book Clubs. They meet all over the country once a month to read and discuss works by Latin@ writers. The book club I attend meets at Borders in the Westgate Shopping Center here in Austin. I have to say, our discussions are always eye-opening. I've learned a lot about what readers want to see in the books they read for pleasure, and what they expect from Latin@ writers in general. And being around women who are hungry for a good book? As a writer, that thrills me.

When I told Nora some friends and I were planning a book release party for Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz, she immediately launched into "Nora mode," asking: how can Las Comadres help? Before I knew it, she lined up some damas (recent quinces who will be at the release party to direct visitors) and asked the North Austin Las Comadres Book Club to change their regular meeting date and time so they could all attend my book release party! Knowing Las Comadres will be there to celebrate and support me, fills me with enormous—I don't even have the words. Once again, I am touched.

Viva Las Comadres!!

Floored, honored, and touched

2009-06-23T15:19:00.005-05:00

I have been answering questions from two, enormously talented blog queens: Marcela Landres and Joy Castro. Marcela has an e-zine called Latinidad and Joy—a talented writer and academic hailing from my home state of Nebraska (yes, Nebraska--Latin@s are EVERYWHERE, esa!). But back to La Joy: she writes about Latinas and literature, crossing back and forth over that boundary between popular and literary fiction—just like we Latin@s do as part of everyday life!

The thoughtful questions Marcela and Joy have come up with, the care with which they are assembling their pieces about me and Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz, and ultimately, the corazón each of them brings, not only to my work, but to their everyday practice, working with, reading, devouring, and loving words....it's simply amazing.

I am honored to be included in their work.

I'll share links to their articles when they're posted.

Still collecting quinceañera fotos!!!

2009-06-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

Old, new, funny, sweet, funky, elegant. No, you don't have to have been the quince. You don't even have to be in the pic! I'm collecting for a slide show to show prior to readings and book signings. We can even blur out faces, if you want to get technical about it.

Send me what you have: nuevob@gmail. com

Yay!

Finishing touches

2009-06-22T05:10:00.000-05:00

Almost done responding to questions sent by Marcela Landres for her e-zine, LATINIDAD. Will send word when it's posted. Other blog interviews in the works.

The book drops August 11, 2009

2009-06-20T18:05:00.000-05:00

Until then, planning a big book release party here in Austin. Getting ready to meet with editor about book two, speaking at the Writers' League of Texas Conference next week.