DAMAS at the Texas Book Festival

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.

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

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

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.

Sneak Peek of Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz

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.

Flores!!!

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.