Chicanonautica: Ernesto in Latinopia, Again

by Ernest Hogan

Suddenly, the phone rang. The antediluvian land line next to the dilapidated Rolodex that still has contact info for Ben Bova, Harlan Ellison, Ray Bradbury, among others living and dead . . . It flashed a name: JESUS TREVINO. I hadn’t heard from him in a while, so I picked up.

Jesús Salvador Treviño is the director of documentaries and television—including episodes of Star Trek Voyager. He asked what I’ve been up to. I rambled jagged fragments of the confusing situation, and, of course, mentioned Guerrilla Mural of a Siren’s Song: 15 Gonzo Science Fiction Stories.

He suggested we do a video interview for his website, Latinopia. I said yeah, let’s do it!

And if you haven’t visited Latinopia—I highly recommend it.

So, here is:

Note that it catches me in my frequent, agitated mental state where my brain goes so fast my mouth can’t keep up and I stutter while changing my mind about what I’m saying while I’m saying it. Some people find it amusing and entertaining, while others find it disturbing and frightening—especially if I’m speaking directly to them and making eye contact.

Jesús also asked me to explain the unlikely occurrence of a boy born in East L.A. becoming a sci-fi writer:

So, I hope these provide some entertainment, and maybe some insight into my work. Meanwhile, I’m suppressing the urge to be outrageous . . .

Ernest Hogan, the Father of Chicano Science Fiction, author of Guerrilla Mural of a Siren’s Song: 15 Gonzo Science Fiction Stories, is alive and well and living in a peculiar manner. Also, today, September 5th, is the last day to sign up for his Gonzo Science Fiction, Chicano Style class in the Fall 2024 Palabras del Pueblo Writing Workshop.