Search

Open Search

Another Publication Acceptance!

A few years ago, my good friend Jonathan Escoffery, after having read a different piece I’d written, said to me, “You should write a story about two friends working at a hotel in Cuba who want to marry a tourist in order to leave the country.” And so I did. The story, titled “Daredevils,” ended up being about a lot more than that initial premise, but it nonetheless owes its existence to Jonathan’s idea and encouragement.

Many people read this story, and offered feedback on it afterwards, which undoubtedly made it a stronger piece. A few months ago, I read from it during a visit to Brown University. Today, it was accepted for publication by a magazine I really like and admire, Third Coast. I can’t wait to see it in their pages! Huge thanks to everyone who had a hand in improving “Daredevils” along the way. 

0

Finalist for Autumn House Press Fiction Contest!

I was thrilled to recently find out that my story collection manuscript, A Kind of Solitude, is a finalist for the Autumn House Press Fiction Contest. I’m a big fan of the press, and I recognize a few of the names on the finalists’ list, so I’m very excited to be included.

Big thanks to everyone who has helped me with this collection along the way! I hope to find a home for it soon.

Screen Shot 2017-08-06 at 5.24.57 PM

0

New Fiction Workshop

I’m really excited to be teaching this fiction workshop at GrubStreet this fall!

Class Spotlight Immigrant and International Writing-01

 

0

New Publication Acceptance!

A few years ago, I read a fake news report that a giraffe had been stolen from Cuba’s National Zoo. I was, of course, somewhat disappointed that the story turned out to be false, but then I thought, “What if?” So I wrote a short story about it, which ended up dealing with friendship, race, American influence on Cuba, and animal cruelty. Today, that story, titled “The Man From the Zoo,” was accepted for publication by The Massachusetts Review. Huge thanks go out to Alina Collazo, Artem Derkatch, Shubha Sunder, and Ralph Rodriguez for their feedback and enthusiasm, which undoubtedly made this story better and encouraged me to send it out!

0

Short Story Publication

The North American Review’s Winter 2017 issue includes a story of mine, and the artwork they’ve attached to the story is not only really cool, but truly captures the atmosphere of the piece!

mudface

0

AWP Panel

Really excited to be part of this panel at this year’s AWP Conference in Washington D.C.:

Beyond Diversity: How to Run the Truly Inclusive Creative Writing Workshop

Day: Friday, 2/10/2017

Time: 04:30:PM– 05:45:PM

Room: Capital & Congress, Marriott Marquis, Meeting Level Four
It’s my first time attending the conference, so I’m very much looking forward to joining in the madness!
0

Resources for Emerging Writers

The great Matthew Salesses has put together a fairly comprehensive (and impressive!) list of resources that both aspiring and experienced writers can use.

In my classes I try to offer as much information as possible regarding submissions to literary journals and magazines, querying agents, writing conferences, residencies and colonies, etc, and I will definitely be referencing this list in the future.

Here is the direct link: http://inprinthouston.org/for-writers/resources-for-emerging-writers/

0

New Fiction Publication

The latest issue of The Florida Review is out, and it contains the title story of my collection, “A Kind of Solitude.” It is a story about an old Cuban peasant with a troubled past who finds himself trying to decide whether to confess to an accidental crime he has committed, or bury the evidence for good.

This story got me into Boston University’s MFA program and in many ways changed my life.

Big thanks go out to the great people at The Florida Review and to everyone who provided feedback on this pieces years ago. I’m excited to see my work in such wonderful company.

IMG_3242

0

Backbone Press Best American Poetry Blog Feature

The wonderful poet and editor Crystal Simon Smith, founder of Backbone Press, talks about the press in this interview available in the Best American Poetry Blog.

I’m really happy to have had my poetry chapbook published by Backbone and to see it mentioned–its cover shown–in this feature. Crystal is doing great work by providing a platform to publish poetry by a diverse range of authors, particularly poets of color.

As she states, “It’s important to note when I say poets of color this includes poets of all diverse backgrounds: Asian, Latino, Native American and so on. Our niche is cultural writing, not just poetry, by African American writers. We need more venues and spaces focusing on diversity.”

You should definitely support her press and check out what she has to say!

Chapbook cover

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑