Un Poco

Manuel Ramos

This post is quick and slim -- the holidays are bearing down and time is short.

LIBRARY JOURNAL SELECTS DÍAZ AS ONE OF THE BEST OF 2007
Among the Library Journal's recently released list of the best books of 2007 can be found The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, by Junot Díaz (Penguin Group ). Here's LJ's take on this highly-regarded novel:

Díaz follows up his breathtaking story collection, Drown, with a brief and wondrous novel about a second-generation Dominican nerd nicknamed Oscar Wao. More than a coming-of-age tale—and more than an account of the Latino experience—this robust work uses Oscar’s sharp and distinctive voice to delineate the human struggle to define oneself. (LJ Xpress Reviews, 8/28/07).

The LJ list also includes The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax (Harcourt):

Loosely based on the life of the great Spanish cellist Pablo Casals, Romano-Lax’s riveting debut novel follows a Catalan boy’s musical journey through 50 years of Spain’s tumultuous history. (LJ 8/07).

FOURTH ANNUAL WRITERS STUDIO LITERARY CONTEST
First place winners win $250, publication in Arapahoe Community College's literary magazine, Progenitor, and a guest invitation to the annual Literary Festival in April. The winners read their work at the festival. See General Submission guidelines here. Writers Studio runs a yearly literary contest in fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry. The contest is open to ACC students, faculty and the Colorado community. All entries are considered for publication in The Progenitor. Submissions for this year's contest will be accepted January 1, 2008 through March 1, 2008.

NEW LITERARY SITE
We recently received the following message:

I am very pleased to announce the creation of alternative-publications, a new virtual press devoted to publishing innovative Latina/o literature.

Alternative-publications intends to provide an outlet for innovative literature that may not be considered marketable by established presses, to encourage the public to play an active role in the literary process, to serve as a public action in favor of a literature that is not market-driven, and to create a database of
reader-responses for future use by researchers.

Please pay us a visit (and spread the word!): http://alternative-publications.ucmerced.edu

(Please note: if you get a message to the effect that the server is not found, please try again after a few minutes. If the problem persists, please let us know).

Looking forward to your comments,

Manuel M. Martin-Rodriguez
Professor of Literature and Founding Faculty
University of California, Merced

TALES OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE



ANOTHER LOOK AT THE GREAT LOTUSLAND COVER
This book is finally on its way -- early 2008. More info on Daniel Olivas's website. You know you want it.



Later.