International Latino Book Awards 2016!

The International Latino Book Awards is produced by Latino Literacy Now which is an organization co-founded by Edward James Olmos, Kirk Whisler, and Reforma, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos.  These awards celebrate the many literary achievements in Latina/Latino literature and this year is yet another important one, revealing the continual growth of our literary canon.  On September 8th, the winners were announced.

It is impossible to individually list all the winners here.  I will only mention a few.  CLICK HERE to find the long list of categories and winners.  Felicidades to all the winners AND all those whose work was submitted.

In the area of POETRY IN SPANISH, our own La Bloga writer, Xánath Caraza received Honorable Mention for her book, Ocelocíhuatl.

Xánath Caraza

In contacting Xánath Caraza, she wrote:  "So happy and thankful to share that my book of poetry, Ocelocíhuatl (Mouthfeel Press, 2015) received Honorable Mention in the category, "Best Book of Poetry in Spanish" (sole author).  I am honored to have been selected among many other amazing authors.  Congratulations to everyone else!  Viva la poesía!"

"Ocelocíhuatl was written with the support from the Beca Nebrija para Creadores 2014 award from the Instituto Franklin in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.  So honored by the generosity of Lucha Corpi for writing the preface."

Ocelocíhuatl was translated by Sandra Kingery and the cover design is by artist, Pola Lopez.  CLICK HERE for a previous La Bloga interview with Xánath Caraza.

Another La Bloga writer, René Colato Laínez won HONORABLE MENTION in the BEST CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK BILINGUAL category for ¡Vámonos! Let's Go!: An Adaptation of "Wheels on the Bus" in English and Spanish. The book is wonderfully illustrated by Joe Cepeda.  

René Colato Laínez with his book, ¡Vámonos! Let's Go!

Felicidades to FIRST PLACE winner in FICTION, Jennine Capó Crucet for her novel, Make Your Home Among Strangers (Macmillan/Picador Press).  CLICK HERE  to read a National Public Radio (NPR) interview with author, Jennine Capó Crucet.

Felicidades also to Luz Calvo and Catriona Rueda Esquibel whose book, Decolonize Your Diet: Plant-Based Mexican American Recipes for Health and Healing (Arsenal Pulp Press), received FIRST PLACE for Best Cookbook.  CLICK HERE for more La Bloga information on this most important cookbook.

Decolonize Your Diet by Luz Calvo and Catriona Rueda Esquibel

(from left to right) Luz Calvo and Catriona Rueda Esquibel giving a cooking demonstration

Felicidades also to Josie Mendez-Negrete who received FIRST PLACE in the category of Best Health Book for A Life on Hold: Living With Schizophrenia (University of New Mexico Press).  CLICK HERE for a previous La Bloga interview with author and professor, Dr. Mendez-Negrete.

A Life on Hold by Josie Méndez-Negrete

La Bloga acknowledges every Latina and Latino whose work was submitted to this prestigious literary award organization.  Felicidades to everyone!