First Texas Publishers seeks Translator

From Mirta Espinola:

Dear All:

We are looking to acquire quotes from individuals who are in the business of translating a 200 page novel. We are translating one of our books into Spanish. If you are interested please send me an e-mail with a quote. I am not sure if a translator would charge by the word or by the page. It seems like we are roughly at 200 pages. I can get more information if need be.

Quotes should have name, e-mail, address to send payment. In addition, maybe some background information regarding what other works you have translated, length of time for translating a 200 page book into Spanish. I may need to know what your written fluency accuracy is for this type of work? Perhaps a resume would do, outlining the specifics. If you are in the trade, then you would know what paperwork you would need from me and vice-versa.

We will provide the book if you are hired, and we can draw up a contract for services rendered outlining all specifications.

Check out the "I am Joaquin" Scholarship Opportunity at www.strawberryfieldsramirez.blogspot.com

Thank you so much,

Mirta Espinola, Publicist
210-394-1254
First Texas Publishers
PO BOX 181
San Juan, Texas 78589
www.firsttexaspublishers.com
texaspublishing@iberoaztlan.com
strawberryfieldsramirez.blogspot.com

Closing Ceremony for Zamora Casas

From Bihl Haus Arts:

Dear Friends of Bihl Haus Arts,

Join us on July 31st, 6:30 pm-10ish, for ‘last call’ to view the installation Ancient Guardians of the Sky by DAVID ZAMORA CASAS. This is also the final opportunity to experience The Chapel of Love, an installation within an installation, that deals with issues of sexual identity and diverse perspectives on spiritual unions, rites of passage, and dreams of love. Yve Anderson will perform and the Nahuatlatos will play their sexy, cumbia, hip-hop Latin jazz. We will also give thanks at 7 pm to the four directions—the guardians of the sky--for making this exhibit the most successful in Bihl Haus and David ZC history. To celebrate, we’re offering a 10% discount on the sale of all remaining artworks.

See you there!

Kellen

P.S. And, now would be a good time to purchase advance tickets for SHAKTHI, manifest of the feminine principle, the beguiling original classical Indian dance performance directed by DR. SREEDHARA. The production--at The Carver Theater on Saturday, August 7th @ 6:30 pm--includes special guest appearances by Indian dancers from New York, Lincoln, and Sacramento, as well as artists from Dr. Sreedhara’s troupe, Kaveri Natya Yoga. Reserved seating tickets ($20 adults/$10 seniors (65+), students and military with ID) are available now at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 800-745-3000 or at the Carver Box Office (Ph: 207-2234). Read more about SHAKTHI on our new (!) website @ www.bihlhausarts.org


Kellen Kee McIntyre, PhD
Executive Director
Bihl Haus Arts
P.O. Box 100806
2803 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 383-9723 (cell)
(210) 732-3502 (off)
kellenkee@swbell.net
www.bihlhausarts.org
www.RxArtSA.org
www.OnAndOffFred.org

My apologies for not keeping up with the blog this past week. My college duties had me attending an out-of-state conference and I did not take my laptop with me.

A Personal Appeal

Fellow Writers,

Thank you for your recent support of the Society's fund drive. Through your donations, we now have some funds in our accounts for the new SLHW officers to plan future meetings and possibly events for our Society members.

I am now taking the liberty of asking you for your financial help once more for one of our own members. The Founder and President Emeritus of the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio--Ruben Soto--has been facing tremendous challenges in finding employment in today's slim job market. After speaking with Ruben yesterday about his predicament, I fully understand what millions of unemployed Americans are going through and it's even worse for those who have families to feed. It's really the worst job market in our lifetime, especially for those who are older.

Ruben's 50th birthday is next Tuesday, July 27. While I would like to host a celebration for him, I believe that a birthday card with some cheerful words of encouragement, and perhaps a few dollars, would go a long way to lift his spirits and help him make ends meet as his savings are perilously close to zero. I would like to make an appeal to you to send Ruben a card and a small financial gift (if writing a check, please make it payable to him), with your support and encouragement that there is a light at the end of this very long and dark unemployment tunnel.

Please send your birthday wishes to the Society's PO box:

Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers
PO Box 1040
San Antonio, TX 78294-1040

If you also know of job opportunities, please pass those on to Ruben as well. His email address is Rubenso99@yahoo.com

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this note.

With deepest gratitude,
Vince

Marcela Landres Blog Post

From Marcela Landres:

Hi--Have you ever struggled to find your voice as a writer? Read my blog
post for The Lit Coach to learn how to make your voice stand out in agent
and editor submission piles:

http://thelitcoach.blogspot.com/2010/07/creating-your-original-voice.html

You are welcome to post your comments below the article; I'd love to
hear what you think. Many thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Marcela

Josie Mixon Poetry Meeting, July 21

From Josie Mixon:

Good Day My Fellow Poets
and Supporters!

Happy Summer to all! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and hopefully you have had a chance to have a little bit of a break/vacation.

I had two weeks off although during the first week I was called in to work and the rest of the time I was at home which was fabulous. I spent last week at the coast and it was fantastic. I was there for the rain which was great. I love the rain and the ocean so the combination was exhilerating. The rain embraced me like another layer of skin. I tanned, ate, slept and tanned some more. You will notice all of the above when you come to the venue. We (Jim Brandenburg and I) are planning a workshop for our next venue. Tom E of course will be there as well to assist. This may be a great time to share your summer poetry with us. I am hoping to create poetry about place to help me be inspired again to write. I don't have writers block I've just not been my usual happy self lately (several months) and would like to start over. Let's get to it and inspire each other on Wednesday, July 21st at Barnes and Noble, Ingram Festival. I plan to share some information with everyone regarding contests and submission deadlines so if you have information bring it with you and bring a calendar to make note of the dates. Bring your ideas and recommenations with you. If you are a publisher receiving this information please drop by on this special evening and provide us with some submission guidance and recommendations or feel free to email it to me and I will spread the word for you. This will be a very informative evening of poetry so please come prepared to write, take notes and bring your poetry to share during open mic. If you have any questions, concerns or ideas please do not hesitate to let me know.

Have a wonderful and beautiful day!
Josie Mixon
Jim Brandenburg

http://josiemixon.com/
http://www.voicesdelaluna.com/
http://www.facebook.com/

Book Review: Paradise General

Here's a book review I wrote that appeared in yesterday's San Antonio Express-News. I hope you enjoy it.

Writing Scholarship Opportunity

From Mirta Espinola, First Texas Publishing, Inc:

I thought maybe some of the writer's would be interested in writing for a possibility of a Scholarship Opportunity.

First Texas Publishing Inc.
$400 Scholarship Top Prize
For a 7-10 page Essay

Compare and contrast Rodolfo (Corky) Gonzalez’s 1964 poem, “I Am Joaquin”, with Chuy Ramirez’s 2010 Strawberry Fields.

Writing the Essay:

1. Strawberry Fields is available for purchase on www.amazon.com, and www.firsttexaspublishers.com

2. Poem (I Am Joaquin):

3. Length of essay: recommended, at least 7-10 pages

4. Use APA style to cite all sources;

5. Cover Page including title, entry name, address, e-mail, & phone number.

6. Typed double-space;

7. Mail to: First Texas Publishers-Essay Scholarship Contest, PO BOX 181, San Juan, Texas 78589 or send digitally to ramirezbook@gmail.com

8. If you have any questions please forward to mirta_espinola20@hotmail.com or ramirezbook@gmail.com All questions and answers will be posted.

9. Deadline for Submission October 15, 2010;

10. 1st prize: $400; 2nd prize: $200, plus a Barnes & Nobles Gift Card for $50; 3rd prize: $100, plus a Barnes & Nobles Gift Card $25

11. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize essays will be posted on the following sites: SF Facebook page, strawberryfieldsramirez.blogspot.com, and www.firsttexaspublishers.com

12. No restrictions, but recommend that writers have some college course background.

Samples of Essay Topics: Writers are limited to the following topics. These are just suggestions.

1. The extent to which Gonzalez and Ramirez follow or deviate from the traditional Mexican historical model for Chicanos in America? (for instance, is there such a “traditional model”? Describe it.)

2. Address to what extent the world for Gonzalez’ Joaquin character and Ramirez’ Joaquin character is a world full of “confusion” as opposed as to a world full of “complexity”. What is this “confusion”? What are the “complexities”?

3. Does Ramirez’ Joaquin character reject “modern society” as Gonzalez’ Joaquin character does? Or does he embrace it? How does Ramirez’ Joaquin deal with modern society as opposed to Gonzalez’ Joaquin?

4. In Gonzalez’ America do Chicanos have an effective choice? What about in Ramirez’ America? What are those choices, if any?

5. How important is Mexican pre-Columbian history to Gonzalez’ Joaquin. How about for

Ramirez’Joaquin?

6. What roles do the Catholic Church, religion and the Bible play in the worlds of both Joaquin’s

7. What role does music (the corridos and ballads) play in Gonzalez work and Ramirez work?

8. Address the Machismo in Gonzalez’ and Ramirez’ works;

9. Address the role of women in Gonzalez and Ramirez’ works;

10. Do Gonzalez and Ramirez have a message of hope for Chicanos in America? Address in their works;

11. What credit to Mexican history-culture/Spanish history-culture do the writers attribute for any characteristics of chicanos in America?

12. Gonzalez uses the word “inferiority complex”; Ramirez uses both the “inferiority complex” and “the affliction”. What do these terms? And to what do they attribute the complex and how do they address/deal with it in their works?

Thank you,

Mirta Espinola, Publicist
210-394-1254
First Texas Publishers
PO BOX 181
San Juan, Texas 78589
www.firsttexaspublishers.com
texaspublishing@iberoaztlan.com

Poetas, Poemas y Puffy Tacos

From Pancho Mendoza:

Hello,
Once again, you are all invited to a Poetry Pachanga at Ray's Drive-In. Details are below and I look forward to seeing you there.

Pancho Mendoza
Poeta del Barrio

Poetas, Poemas y Puffy Tacos

Venue: Open Mic Poetry Jam
Location:
Ray’s Drive-In
822 SW 19th and Guadalupe Streets
(210) 432-7171 or (210) 341-0610

Admission:
FREE EVENT

Date/Time:
Thursday, July 15, 2010
7 – 9 pm

Come join Poetas from the Barrio, including your host, Pancho Mendoza, and owner, Arturo Lopez

“Poetry and Short Story of Pancho Mendoza” book signing

Michigan State University Home of Trinidad Sanchez Jr Archives

From Regina Chavez y Sanchez:

The archives of poet, Trinidad Sanchez, Jr., have found a home in Michigan at Michigan State University as a part of the Cesar Chavez Collection unfer the supervision of Diana Rivera. It is quite an accomplishment for a Chicano poet's work to be publicly acknowledged and protected for future studies and thesis'. The remainder of his letters and documentation of future events will be added as they occur and after my death. Viva Trino!!!!!!!!!! It took me almost four years but his legacy is protected!

My journey to find the right home for Trino's archives was long one. I consulted several friends and professionals and decided that his life story belonged in Michigan, where he could be acknowledged as a Chicano role model in his home state. (Gracias Carlos!)

Annually there are two events honoring Trino. Wayne State University, Dept. of Chicano/Boriqua Studies will be hosting an event in Detroit. The second event will be at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, it usually occurs in April.

If you have any correspondence from Trino, photos or stories to share for his archives please send them to me.

My next responsibility to preserve his legacy is to get the unpublished manuscripts published. Next Chapter!!!!!!!

Regina Chavez y Sanchez


"Peace without justice & equality is an explosion waiting to happen.
Justice without the pursuit of peace & equality is a torturous path to nowhere"

Sandy Garcia's Opinion Piece

From Janie Alonso:

Congratulations to Sandy Garcia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Read her article in today's Express news under Opinion online.

She read this at the Literary Festival regarding immigration.

So happy for Sandy.

Yahoo!!

Janie Alonso

Newly Elected SLHW Officers

Congratulations to the new officers of
the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio
July 2010 to July 2012

Historian Ruben Soto

Secretary Mary Lou Barrera

Treasurer Bertha Jacobson

2nd Vice President Leticia Duarte

1st Vice President Dr. Santiago Daydi-Tolson

President Lupe Gonzalez

The F Factor

Diane Gonzales Bertrand has a new book out entitled "The F Factor." Read Cary Clack's review of the book HERE

Monday's Meeting

Fellow Writer,

Just wanted to remind you that there will be a meeting of the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio on Monday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m., at the Barnes and Noble, San Pedro Crossing. This meeting will mark the 6th anniversary of the Society and we will be announcing the results of the SLHW Elections--introducing the officers that will lead the Society through 2012.

Please join us for this celebration, and help us welcome the new leadership!

Keep Writing,
Vince

Gemni Ink's Summer Literary Festival

Don't miss out on Gemini Ink's Summer Literary Festival which starts tomorrow. For more information, please go to their website: http://geminiink.org/summer-literary-festival-2010

Invitation from Bihl Haus Arts

From Bihl Haus:

please join us on Thursday, July 15th, at 7 pm, for an extraordinary reading by passionate author and poet BARBARA RENAUD GONZALEZ from her award-winning book Golondrina, why did you leave me? (You already know Barbara’s amazing poetry if you saw our performance of Remember El Alma at Luminaria in March.) Trust me—this going to be an especially memorable and oh-so-intimate evening that you definitely don’t want to miss. You can check out Barbara’s blog at: http://barbararenaud.blogspot.com/

Kellen Kee McIntyre, PhD
Executive Director
Bihl Haus Arts
P.O. Box 100806
2803 Fredericksburg Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 383-9723 (cell)
(210) 732-3502 (off)
kellenkee@swbell.net
www.bihlhausarts.org
www.RxArtSA.org
www.OnAndOffFred.org

SLHW Elections

Fellow Writer,

We have wrapped up the nomination process for elections to determine the officers for the Society of Latino and Hispanic Writers of San Antonio from July 2010 to July 2012 and here are the nominees:

President:
Lupe Gonzalez
Write-In ______________________


1st Vice President:
Bertha Jacobson
Dr. Santiago Daydi-Tolson
Write-In ______________________


2nd Vice President:
Leticia Duarte
Write-In ______________________


Treasurer:
Bertha Jacobson
Write-In ______________________

Secretary:
Mary Lou Barrera
Write-In ______________________


Historian:
Ruben Soto
Write-In ______________________

Please cast your votes by midnight, Monday, July 5, 2010. Everyone eligible to vote should have my email address where you may send in your vote.

Thank you,
The Nomination Committee

Book Review: I Know Here

I hope you enjoy my book review of "I Know Here" by Laurel Croza, with illustrations by Matt James, that appears in today's San Antonio Express-News.

Happy Independence Day!

Monday's Spanish Group Mtg Cancelled

Hola a todos,

Debido a que el primer lunes de Julio cae en día festivo y habemos muchos miembros fuera de la ciudad, decidimos cancelar la junta de Julio. Ya se avisó a Barnes N Noble.

Sigan escribiendo y nos vemos en Agosto!

Felices Vacaciones.
Bertha Jacobson

The Afro-Latin@Reader

THE AFRO-LATIN@ READER: Dr. Juan Flores and Dr. Miriam Jiménez Román present their collection of essays about people of African descent from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The experiences highlighted by the authors reveal pervasive racism among Latin@s and ethnocentrism among African Americans. Gain insights into Afro-Latin@ life and new ways to understand culture, ethnicity, nationality, identity, and anti-racist politics.

THE AFRO-LATIN@ READER
FRIDAY, JULY 9
7:30 PM FREE
Guadalupe Gallery, 723 S. Brazos St., 78207

Artwork by Frank Guerra

A message from Edna:

La Peña presents
Hello...Remember...Goodbye
artwork by
Frank Guerra
www.frankguerraart.com

July 9 - 30, 2010

Reception
Friday, July 9
6:00 - 8:00 pm

La Peña
227 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-6007

lapena@lapena-austin.org
www.lapena-austin.org

La Peña is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through
the Cultural Arts Division and by grants from the Alice Kleberg
Reynolds Foundation, the Texas Commission on the Arts and an
award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that
a great nation deserves great art.

I will be there, hope to see you!

Edna
Edna Campos Gravenhorst
Author & Historical Researcher
210-226-4565 or 812-774-5556
escritora@att.net
www.ednacamposgravenhorst.com