It's alive! "Chicano Frankenstein" will be launched at Vroman's Bookstore on March 6, 7:00 p.m.

 

La Bloga friends, I wanted to let you know that Vroman’s Bookstore will be hosting the book launch for my forthcoming novel, Chicano Frankenstein (Forest Avenue Press), on March 6, 7:00 p.m. Here is the link with details. I will be interviewed by the wonderful writer, Désirée Zamorano. I hope you can make it!

We’ve been receiving some beautiful early reviews:

"Part science fiction and part political satire, Olivas’s timely latest explores the pitfalls of assimilation and probes what it means to be 'human.'"

     —Publishers Weekly

"The way Olivas builds on the classic Shelley story and sets it within a futuristic context makes it an intriguing read that will speak to disenfranchised voices and spark discussion among its readers."

     —Library Journal

"With witty dialogue and beguiling glimpses of Chicano life, the book probes existential questions about identity and political questions about immigration and race.”

     —Foreword Reviews

"Blending together elements of science fiction, horror, political satire, and romance, the story explores ever-relevant issues of belonging, assimilation, bigotry, and humanity."

     —HipLATINA

I hope you can make it! And if you have a book club or bookstore event where you'd like to feature Chicano Frankenstein, let me know! You may visit my website and use the message function to send me an email.

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And also in honor my my new novel's launch, I will also be at the Tucson Festival of Books on the beautiful University of Arizona campus, March 9 and 10. I will be signing Chicano Frankenstein at the Indie Authors tent on Sunday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. My wonderful publisher, Laura Stanfill founder of Forest Avenue Press, will join me. You may view this venue on the Festival map. Drop on by and say hi! Also, check out all of the wonderful writers who will be signing books and presenting on panels.

Orlando Ortega-Medina, in conversation with Daniel Olivas, discusses "The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants" at Book Soup on April 27

DATE: Thursday, April 27, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.

ADDRESS: BOOK SOUP, 8818 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

DETAILS: https://www.booksoup.com/event/Orlando-Ortega-Medina

“A riveting yarn with a charismatic tempter.” –Kirkus Reviews

ABOUT THE BOOK: Attorney Marc Mendes, the estranged son of a prominent rabbi and a burned-out lawyer with addiction issues, plots his exit from the big city to a more peaceful life in idyllic Napa Valley. But before realizing his dream, the US government summons his Salvadoran life partner Isaac Perez to immigration court, threatening him with deportation.

As Marc battles to save Isaac, his world is further upended by a dark and alluring client who aims to tempt him away from his messy life. Torn between his commitment to Isaac and the pain-numbing escapism offered by his client, Marc is forced to choose between the lesser of two evils while confronting his twin demons of past addiction and guilt over the death of his first lover.

Inspired by events that forced the author and his partner to emigrate from the United States because of marriage inequality, TheFitful Sleep of Immigrants is an extraordinary and timely tale about the value of family and friendship, loyalty, and love in the face of adversity.

And check out my Los Angeles Times interview with Orlando Ortega-Medina that was published online on April 18.

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IN OTHER NEWS...

I am delighted to announce that Forest Avenue Press has acquired my novel, Chicano Frankenstein, for publication in fall 2024. This is a description of my book:

Chicano Frankenstein addresses issues of belonging and assimilation through a modern retelling of the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley classic. An unnamed paralegal, brought back to life through a controversial process, maneuvers through a near-future world that both needs and resents him. As the United States president spouts anti-reanimation rhetoric and giant pharmaceutical companies rake in profits, the man falls in love with lawyer Faustina Godínez. His world expands as he meets her network of family and friends, setting him on a course to discover his first-life history, which the reanimation process erased. With elements of science fiction, horror, political satire and romance, Chicano Frankenstein confronts our nation’s bigotries and the question of what it truly means to be human.

You may read the official announcement here.