Las Comadres y Los Compadres Writers Conference and Other Special Events

Melinda Palacio

Las Comadres Para Las Americas to host Comadres and Compadres Writers Conference in Nueva York

  

On October 6, aspiring writers can purse and polish their own dreams of publishing their novel, collection of stories, memoir, or book of poetry at the Las Comadres y Compadres Writers Conference in New York, held at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Brooklyn. Registration for writers and vendors is now open for the conference.
Writers will also gain an insider's perspective into the big time publishing industry. In addition to the usual panels, attendees can choose one-on-one meetings with agents and editors, specializing in books by Latino authors. La Bloga represents: I will be on the poetry panel.The Keynote speaker is author and television personality Sonia Manzano.  Having originated the role of “Maria” on Sesame Street, Manzano wrote two children’s books, No Dogs Allowed (Simon and Schuster, 2004) and A Box Full of Kittens (Simon and Schuster, 2007), and will have her first YA novel, The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, published by Scholastic in Fall 2012. Some of the publishing professionals on hand include Johanna Castillo, Vice President & Senior Editor/Atria, Simon & Schuster: Jaime de Pablos, Director/Vintage Español, Knopf Doubleday Group; Adriana Dominguez, Agent/Full Circle Literary; Mercedes Fernandez, Assistant Editor/Dafina Books, Kensington Publishing; Sulay Hernandez, Editor/Other Press; Cheryl Klein, Executive Editor/Arthur A. Levine Books; Selina L. McLemore, Senior Editor/Grand Central Publishing; Christina Morgan, Editor/Harcourt Houghton Mifflin; Lukas Ortiz, Managing Director/Philip G. Spitzer Literary Agency, Inc.;  Diane Stockwell, Founder/Globo Libros Literary Management; and Stacy Whitman, Founder and Editorial Director/Tu Books.

Adriana Dominguez, Literary Agent

Adriana Dominguez of Full Circle Literary talks about her involvement in the first Comadres Writers Conference:

"I am so proud to be part of the wonderful group of people organizing this important conference. This project is very personal for all us. We have joined together around three basic concepts: access, guidance, and community. We want to provide Latino writers with access to the world of publishing by exposing them to successfully-published Latino authors, as well as editors and agents who have a track record of helping Latinos get published. During a full day of panels and one-on-ones with industry experts, the conference will provide writers guidance on how to navigate the world of publishing, and what they need to do to increase their chances of getting published. Finally, we believe that there is power in numbers and that everyone needs support, so we would like Latino writers to walk away from this experience as community builders; to create writers' communities, critique groups and workshops that support other Latinos on their journey to getting published. There are not nearly enough books written by Latinos in today's marketplace. We have united some of the best and brightest minds in publishing under a single roof to help change that. Please join us!"

Upcoming Events:

Next week, September 8, Melinda Palacio offers a memoir writing workshop for Tucson's Sowing the Seeds Writing Collective.

September 15, 

Authors read from Latinos in Lotusland, edited by La Bloga's Daniel Olivas

Latinos in Lotusland at the Autry, September 15, 2pm to 4pm. Don't miss a full day of Latino Heritage month at the Autry Museum in Burbank. La Bloga will feature this event on Friday, September 14. Stay tuned for more inside accounts of Lotusland contributors.

Friday, August 31, Lunasol Bookfestival tonight in Whittier:

August 31 from 6pm to 10 pm 6711 Bright Avenue, Uptown Whittier.

LunaSol Book Fest Line-Up:

Meet and Greet Reception: 6-6:30pm

Lizette Valles (Author)                               "land of the Lost Socks"                     6:30-6:42pm

Esau Andrade (Illustrator)                          "Perfect Season for Dreaming"           6:42-6:54pm

Joe Cepeda(Author/Illustrator)                    "Lado a Lado"                                  6:54-7:06pm

Javier Hernandez(Comic Creator)                "El Muerto"                                       7:06-7:18pm 

Rosa Maria Silva(Author)                            "Oropel"                                           7:18-7:29pm

LIVE MUSIC PRESENTATION BY: "LAS COLIBRI" till 8:00pm

Melinda Palacio (Poet/Author)                               "Ocotillo Dreams"    8:00-8:12pm

Reyna Grande (Author)                                        "The Distance Between Us"        8:12-8:24pm

David Reyes and Tom Waldman (Authors)              "Land of a Thousand Dances"    8:24-8:36pm

GustavoArellano (Author)                                      "Tacos USA"                            8:36-8:48pm

Lalo Alcaraz (Author)                                            "Latino USA"                            8:48-9:00pm

Book Signing with Authors/Illustrators: 9-10pm

Countdown to publication... Less than two months...

Less than two months until the release of How Fire Is a Story, Waiting, Tia Chucha Press October 2012.

Read all about Margaret Garcia's family at KCET. Garcia painted the above portrait for my poetry book.

Last, but not least...

Happy Birthday Michael Sedano!