Meeting Re-cap
LUPE RUIZ-FLORESThe following information is submitted by one of our Founding Members, Lupe Gonzalez:
Lupe Ruiz- Flores was the featured speaker at Monday’s November meeting of the Society of Hispanic and Latino Writers. Her first words to the members were that she wasn’t there to teach them how to write, but to “give you inspiration”. The author began her writing career by submitting stories to contests. The first one she entered was one sponsored by Guideposts, an inspirational magazine. http://www.guidepostsmag.com/writers_guidelines.asp
Her story “My Abuelita” placed and was published. Since then she has written for that magazine and others.
LUPITA’S PAPALOTE, a bilingual picture book, was published by Arte Publico Press, Pinata Books, in October, 2002. The story was inspired by the author’s father. http://www.arte.uh.edu/info/submissions.aspx
Ruiz-Flores’ newest book, which was released October 31, 2007 also by Arte Publico Press, Pinata Books, is also a blingual picture book titled, THE WOODCUTTER’S GIFT. Her inspiration for this book was two articles, one about an elderly man who made figures of cement for his grandkids, then refused to sell them. Another inspiration was someone the writer called “Ralph, the woodcutter”, a man who stated, “The beauty of the tree is inside”.
As all writers know, the path to publication is filled with rejection, writer’s block and frustration. Ruiz-Flores said that her first book was bought immediately. She didn’t even follow the correct submission process. This gave her the wrong idea. Although she continued writing for magazines, she received 17 rejections for THE WOODCUTTER’S GIFT. Her advice? “Be persistent. And remember writing is a business.”
RUIZ-FLORES TIPS AFTER GETTING PUBLISHED
Publication will take longer than you think. Write other things while you wait to hear from editors and agents.
Remember you won’t have a say on your book’s illustrations.
Promote your book, learn how. Your publisher will only do so much for you.
Create a website.
Network.
Attend writer’s conferences.
Don’t feel guilty about the tools you need for your writing career – desk, computer, software, space, etc.
Nurture your writing.
Write every day. Use prompts, e.g., “I remember when…” or “I want to write about…”
Have a passion for your story. Remember only you can write your story.
Throughout November and December, Lupe Ruiz-Flores will be signing her new book, THE WOODCUTTER’S GIFT at various HEB stores in San Antonio. The next one is at the HEB located at 10718 Potranco on November 15, 2007, from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. Please go and support this wonderful writer. To find a book signing at a store near you, check here: http://www.luperuiz-flores.com/page4.html
Her story “My Abuelita” placed and was published. Since then she has written for that magazine and others.
LUPITA’S PAPALOTE, a bilingual picture book, was published by Arte Publico Press, Pinata Books, in October, 2002. The story was inspired by the author’s father. http://www.arte.uh.edu/info/submissions.aspx
Ruiz-Flores’ newest book, which was released October 31, 2007 also by Arte Publico Press, Pinata Books, is also a blingual picture book titled, THE WOODCUTTER’S GIFT. Her inspiration for this book was two articles, one about an elderly man who made figures of cement for his grandkids, then refused to sell them. Another inspiration was someone the writer called “Ralph, the woodcutter”, a man who stated, “The beauty of the tree is inside”.
As all writers know, the path to publication is filled with rejection, writer’s block and frustration. Ruiz-Flores said that her first book was bought immediately. She didn’t even follow the correct submission process. This gave her the wrong idea. Although she continued writing for magazines, she received 17 rejections for THE WOODCUTTER’S GIFT. Her advice? “Be persistent. And remember writing is a business.”
RUIZ-FLORES TIPS AFTER GETTING PUBLISHED
Publication will take longer than you think. Write other things while you wait to hear from editors and agents.
Remember you won’t have a say on your book’s illustrations.
Promote your book, learn how. Your publisher will only do so much for you.
Create a website.
Network.
Attend writer’s conferences.
Don’t feel guilty about the tools you need for your writing career – desk, computer, software, space, etc.
Nurture your writing.
Write every day. Use prompts, e.g., “I remember when…” or “I want to write about…”
Have a passion for your story. Remember only you can write your story.
Throughout November and December, Lupe Ruiz-Flores will be signing her new book, THE WOODCUTTER’S GIFT at various HEB stores in San Antonio. The next one is at the HEB located at 10718 Potranco on November 15, 2007, from 5 p.m to 7 p.m. Please go and support this wonderful writer. To find a book signing at a store near you, check here: http://www.luperuiz-flores.com/page4.html
posted by PAC PR at 2:50 PM
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