SPOTLIGHT ON LECTURA BOOKS

Lectura Books has been publishing and distributing bilingual (English and Spanish) children's books since 2001. The press focuses on quality bicultural and bilingual literature to offer Latinos a reflection of their diverse cultures and histories through relevant stories. The dual-language focus allows for Spanish-speaking parents and their children – who are learning English at school – a way to learn language together and be inspired by life-changing literature. Lectura Books partners with some of the best writers and artists from the Latino community to create books that inspire reading and dialogue. For more information, vist Lectura Book's website.

As noted recently on La Bloga, Lectura Books received Second Place for Graciela’s Dream in Best Young Adult Fiction – Bilingual, and Honorable Mention for Teo and the Brick for Best Educational Children's Book – Bilingual, at the Latino Book Awards. I've read both of these books and they offer something special to bilingual literature. In particular, I appreciated Graciela's Dream which functions not only as a short novel about a young girl's dream of college, but also a bilingual, step-by-step guide on applying to college.

◙ CALL FOR REVIEWERS: I’ve been writing book reviews for the MultiCultural Review for several years now. If you haven’t had a chance to read an issue, it’s a handsome, full-sized, glossy magazine that is used by librarians and educators. My editor at the MCR is novelist and environmental activist, Lyn Miller-Lachmann, who has assigned some terrific books to me through the years of all types including children’s picture books, poetry and short-story collections, novels, memoirs, you name it.

If you’re interested in writing for the MCR, please read the following guidelines. The MCR not only publishes reviews, but also articles and essays. I'm told that there is a particular need for reviewers of Latino/a and LGBT books, but all reviewers are welcome.

MCR GUIDELINES:

MultiCultural Review is a quarterly trade journal and book review for educators and librarians at all levels. In addition to regular columns, announcements, and news, MultiCultural Review contains four feature articles in each issue. These feature articles may be one of the following types: 1) discussions of current issues related to multiculturalism in the United States; 2) bibliographic essays or bibliographies on current issues related to multiculturalism; 3) ethnographic articles on specific groups; 4) bibliographic articles on specific groups, highlighting children’s and/or adult books; 5) articles on non-print resources (audio, video, software, online sources) that present diverse cultures; and 6) practical articles on multicultural pedagogy or librarianship. Article queries, with proposal, contents, and writing samples, are strongly encouraged. All inquiries regarding writing assignments (features and reviews) should include a resume and writing samples.

Articles should be no more than 6,000 words in length. The minimum preferred length for a feature article is 2,000 words. If appropriate, provide illustrative material (photographs, line art, charts, or graphs). DO NOT submit irreplaceable items! No remuneration, however, is offered for expenses incurred in the production of such elements. Work should be submitted in disk form (either Mac or PC format is fine), with one paper copy of the manuscript, double-spaced.

Writers are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions from the copyright owners for publication of copyrighted work. In the case of photographs, permissions must be obtained from any individuals featured or from the copyright owner of any art works depicted. Copies of such permissions must be supplied with the final submission of the work. Writers are expected to follow traditional standards of scholarly /professional writing and reviewing. (The Chicago Manual of Style and Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary are the style preferences, but other commonly accepted references may be used.)

Please provide complete name, title, affiliation, address, and telephone number (include FAX number, if available) when submitting materials for consideration. Articles must be timely and geared specifically to the issues relative to or impacted by multiculturalism. The primary focus of the journal is on the United States, though articles that present comparative perspectives or focus on the roots of American ethnic, racial, or religious groups are also welcomed. Perspectives and opinions should demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to diversity. Alternative viewpoints, though, are encouraged, and articles featuring a dialogue of such perspectives will receive particular attention.

Please allow at least eight to twelve weeks for a response to submitted manuscripts. Submission of time sensitive news or features should be made at least three to four months in advance of the event.

Book reviewers in all subject areas are always wanted and needed. Include detailed information concerning areas of interest, specific formats (books, audio, video, or software), expertise, special preferences, and schedule requirements. Reviews should be limited to 200 words. Two or more works can be included in a single review, but the total length should not exceed 500 words. Remuneration is limited to the title reviewed and a copy of the issue in which the review appears. Reviewers are welcome to suggest titles for review, but approval for such reviews must be obtained from the editor-in-chief. Please do not submit unsolicited reviews.

Direct all correspondence to Lyn Miller-Lachmann, Editor-in-Chief, MultiCultural Review, 194 Lenox Ave., Albany, NY 12208, mcreview@aol.com.

◙ In yesterday’s Los Angeles Times book section, Michael Jaime-Becerra offered a thoughtful review of Graffiti L.A.: Street Styles and Art (Abrams) by Steve Grody. Jaime-Becerra is the author of the story collection Every Night Is Ladies' Night (HarperCollins/Rayo), and is a contributor to Fifteen Candles (HarperCollins/Rayo), and the forthcoming Latinos in Lotusland: An Anthology of Contemporary Southern California Literature (Bilingual Press). Jaime-Becerra teaches creative writing at UC Riverside.

◙ La Bloga has been honored with a Thinking Blogger Award. La Bloga is acknowledged as an “outstanding project [that] focuses on Chicana and Chicano literature, writers, and related news.” For more information, visit here. Do we make you think?

◙ New Madrid, the literary journal associated with Murray State University’s low-residency M.F.A. program, announces its intention to dedicate its Winter 2008 issue to the theme of Mexico in the Heartland. The purpose of the issue is to acknowledge, investigate and celebrate the degree to which Mexico influences those living in the central United States, especially those in Kentucky and bordering states. Submissions may include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, translations from Spanish, etc. The main criterion for acceptance, aside from literary excellence, is how well the submission addresses the theme of the issue. Submissions for this issue will be read between August 15, 2007 and November 15, 2007. Please check the website for submission guidelines.

◙ All done. So, until next Monday, enjoy the intervening posts from my compadres y comadres at La Bloga. ¡Lea un libro! --Daniel Olivas