Pedazos y Pedacitos

Manuel Ramos

New Mexico And Literary Awards

The Premio Aztlán calls for submissions for its 2005 award. Established by Patricia and Rudolfo Anaya, the award is limited to a 2005 novel written by a Chicana or Chicano who has published no more than two novels. There is a $1000 prize, a chance to read at the University of New Mexico, and the prestige that goes with an award that previously has recognized authors such as Alicia Gaspar del Alba, Sergio Troncoso, Denise Chavez and Pat Mora. Deadline is December 31, 2005. Get the details here.

Patricia and Rudolfo Anaya

Another award established by Patricia and Rudolfo Anaya, the Critica Nueva Award, announced a few weeks ago that this year's award goes to Dr. Felipe de Ortega y Gasca, language and literature lecturer at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He was chosen to receive the award for his influential contributions to Chicano literature and critical theory.

In addition to teaching English at A&M-Kingsville, Ortego is professor emeritus of English at Texas State University System-Sul Ross State. Ortego was the first Mexican American to earn a doctorate in English from the University of New Mexico. Read more at the Texas A&M Campus News and Events.

Albuquerque-area author Ralph Flores has won an award from an organization that focuses attention on multicultural diversity in American writing.

Flores' The Horse in the Kitchen: Stories of a Mexican-American Family was picked as one of the winners of the 2005 American Book Award by the Oakland, Calif.-based Before Columbus Foundation, according to an announcement from the publisher, the University of New Mexico Press. This book was a finalist for last year's Premio Aztlán and it also was recognized as a Southwest Book of the Year by the Tucson-Pima Public Library. More at the New Mexico Business Weekly, July 21, 2005.

Denver Stuff

August 13, dedication of César Chávez park, 41st and Tennyson (the former Alcott Park) - food, music, speechifying, y todo.

Not really Chicano related, but Westside Books announces that on August 17 at 7:00 PM it will host a Stories For All Seasons with prolific and celebrated author Edward Bryant, as he celebrates his 60th birthday. As is only right for an author, Ed will read new fiction. Admission and refreshments are free. Ed is a friend of La Bloga and a damn good writer. Drop by to hear RudyG sing Las Mañanitas to the old guy.

Finally, a tip of La Bloga's sombrero to Rosemary Rodriguez, who is the new President of the Denver City Council. Can't hurt to have someone running those meetings who personally knows people like Alfredo Véa, Luis Alberto Urrea, Sandra Cisneros and Rudy Anaya. Rosemary has long been a friend and supporter of Chicano Lit - her book club was famous for meets and greets with visiting authors. ¡Felicidades!