Las Musas Podcast

On this very special episode of the Las Musas Podcast, recorded at the close of Latine Heritage Month, Musas Jonny Garza Villa, Elle Gonzales Rose, and Jess C. Parra talk about Latine Lit, our visibility in publishing, the value of our books and stories, and reading Latine Lit all year round.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

¡Estamos muy emocionados de presentar nuestro primer podcast en español!

Hoy, María Dolores Águila está acompañada por Musas Paola Santos y Aixa Pereze Prado y el tema es ¡celebración! Únase mientras charlamos sobre el aprendizaje del idioma, cómo usamos el español en nuestros cuentos, los libros que crecimos leyendo, los libros que nos han hecho sentir vistas, y los libros que nos inspiraron a escribir. También hablaremos de lo que nos gustaría que el lector se lleve después de encontrarse con uno de nuestros trabajos.

Si disfrutó de este podcast, considere comprar un libro (o algunos).

This week, our middle grade and young adult Musas—Lauren Yero, Maria José Fitzgerald, and Tamika Burgess—discuss their debut year experience, the lessons learned so far, and managing expectations from reality.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

Resources galore! You're going to want a pen and paper for this episode as Aixa Pérez-Prado brings fellow debut picture book Musas, Sheila Colón-Bagley, J. de la Vega, Gabriela Orozco Belt, and Delia Ruiz, for a conversation on resources, support groups, mentorships, and all things, groups, best practices that have helped them through the door into traditional publishing, as well as what it's been like so far as a Latina/Latine in publishing.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's were joined by Musas: Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Ana Siqueira, Jackie Morera, María Dolores Águila, Sheila Colón-Bagley, and Jonny Garza Villa who talked about the Power of Love, Culture and Community in their writing.

They talked about how writing about culture and family are not only doors and windows for Latinx children to see themselves, but also serve as opportunities for other children to learn about diversity and foster empathy.

They share how their stories are inspired by their real-life experiences, even when writing non-fiction, such as María’s picture book debut, Barrio Rising, about a girl participating in the protest that led to the creation of the iconic Chicano Park in San Diego. Balancing, or not balancing all their cultures and communities was another topic discussed followed by the importance of showing your culture and community.

The grand finale encompasses what each writer wants their readers to walk away with. Listen to this podcast to learn more about culture, community, empathy, respect, family, love, and more.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, Jonny Garza Villa, and Vanessa Torres join debut Musas Jackie Morera, Aixa Pérez-Prado, and Elle Gonzalez Rose for a Q&A about post-debut life, lessons learned, what our sophomore Musas wish they would've done and known, and a general sharing of wisdom and chisme in this delightful conversation.

Links—

On this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries series, debut young adult and middle grade Musas Elizabeth Santiago, Lauren Yero, and Angela Montoya discuss debut year jitters and mental health.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries series staring our debut and sophomore picture book Musas, Mónica Mancillas and Alyssa Reynoso-Morris join Aixa Pérez-Prado to talk all about inspiration! What inspires them, what they do with that inspiration, and how they manage the excitement of being inspired is all covered in this delightful conversation!

In a new segment of the Las Musas Podcast we're calling Book Talk!, Maria José Fitzgerald joins Monica Mancillas and Angela Montoya to discuss what books they're reading and what authors have their heart, how media inspires and informs them as authors, and delve into all things inspiration, invigoration, and influential.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Ask a Musa host Lulu Delacre joins Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Gabi Aldeman, and Sallie Anne Rodriguez to answer questions about pitches, querying, being prepared, and never quitting.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries series, the Middle Grade and Young Adult Edition, Jessica Parra joins fellow Musas Jonny Garza Villa, Elle Gonzalez Rose, and Angela Montoya for a lively discussion on author brand and social media, their impacts, implications, and necessities (or lack thereof), and marketing and publicity.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

After an incredible beginning to our year, Musas Anika Aldamuy Denise joins Andrea Beatriz Arango, Camille Gomera-Tavarez, Karina Nicole González, and Natalia Sylvester to discuss their books, the equally surprising and meaningful phone calls, and what being awarded a Youth Media Award or Honor with the American Library Association means for them. Congrats to all our Musas on your incredible books and your wonderful achievement!

Welcome to Season Three, listeners! In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries series, 2023 Musas Maria José Fitzgerald is joined by Jessica Parra and Aixa Pérez-Prado to talk about finding agents, important tools for considering agents and partners in your publishing process, finding an editor, and their excitement and words of wisdom for their debut year. (#EatTheCookies!)

Meet some of the 2022 Musas Hermanas! On this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Annabelle Estrada joins Jackie Morera, Julia Clauson, Roxsy Lin, Amaris Castillo, Aimé Casillas, and Delia Ruiz to talk about their experiences during the Musas mentorship process. They discuss how and when you know you're ready for a mentor, how a mentorship can help give you the confidence to grow, how to figure out what you need, ways you can prepare yourself for getting critiqued, and the many things they took away from their wonderful experiences.

Book recommendations:

In this incredible episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries series, 2023 Debut Musas Alyssa Reynoso-Morris, Elle Gonzalez Rose, Maria Jose Fitzgerald, and Aixa Pérez-Prado discuss their books, debuting and the journey leading up to their debut year, and learning about the publishing process and marketing and lessons learned.

Resources Mentioned to Come!

In this very special (and scary!) episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Book Talk series, Ana Siqueira, Ann Dávila Cardinal, and Aixa Perez-Prado join Mia García to discuss all things Halloween and scary KidLit to get you in the mood for Spooky Season!

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

Aida Salazar talks with Aya de León about the many layers that are woven into her exciting debut Middle Grade book, Undercover Latina. They discuss what it means for the main character to be a white passing spy infiltrating a white nationalist terrorist organization, how Aya balances action and entertainment with political activism, and the careful craft behind writing her spellbinding action-packed adventures.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast Debut Spotlight series, Adriana Hernández Bergstrom talks with fellow debut Musa Mónica Mancillas about her picture book, Mariana and Her Familia, Mónica's path to publication, how her own childhood growing up between México and San Diego and how language and culture shaped Mariana's story, and what she hopes readers take away from Mariana and Her Familia.

On this episode of the Debut Spotlight series, Ana Siquiera talks with debut author Mariana Ríos Ramírez about the inspiration for her Picture Book, Santiago's Dinosaurios, coming out on October 27th 2022! Mariana talks about her son's experience moving to the United States and starting kindergarten without knowing English, how dinosaurs came to be such a big part of the story, her upcoming book, Abuelita's Gift, and shares some great tips that she learned from her journey from International Relations to children's publishing. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this incredible episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Spotlights, Juliet Menéndez talks with debut Musa and author, Raquel Donoso, about her picture book, Viva's Voice. Hear Raquel talk about the inspiration for Viva's Voice—her own experience as a child joining her father at a strike—writing little girls with loud voices who get to use that as a superpower to inspire those she loves, and how she hopes Viva's Voice will show readers expressive girls who are affirmed and action oriented. We also get to hear about Raquel's journey to writing as a career and how writing a memoir helped connect her with her past. Plus much more in this insightful conversation!

In this special episode of the Las Musas Podcast in honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, Emma Otheguy joins Terry Catasús Jennings, Sara Fajardo, Laekan Zea Kemp, and Cynthia Harmony to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry and the challenges Latinx authors face behind the scenes. Together, they offer a path forward that includes systemic changes to the industry,  public funding for books in schools and libraries, and ideas for how we can support each other to make broad Latinx representation in books a reality.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this very exciting episode of the Las Musas Podcast, we spotlight debut middle grade Musa, Andrea Beatriz Arango, in conversation with Karina Gonzalez about her book Iveliz Explains It All, what inspired Andrea to write kidlit, writing characters struggling with mental health—anxiety, depression, and PTSD specifically—writing not just friendships but family and growing up knowing multiple generations of your family in kidlit books. Also, we get into the importance of Iveliz's message for its intended audience and looking more broadly, and Andrea's hopes for Iveliz's story as it goes out into the world.

Join Terry Catasús Jennings as she talks with Emma Otheguy, Andrea Beatriz Arango, and Anika Fajardo about back to school excitement, jitters, and bridging cultures. Together they explore how the characters in their books experienced their own new starts, remember and honor the teachers that inspired them, and discuss the importance of having a wide selection of books available in classrooms and libraries.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

Debut Musa Anna Orenstein-Cardona chats with Ana Siqueira about her picture book, The Tree Of Hope, its inspiration—namely, Hurricane María's impact on Puerto Rico and how that inspired and motivated Ana to write her book as a love letter to Puerto Rico—her multicultural upbringing, and the story of the jagüey blanco, or the banyon tree, its history on the island and how the people of Puerto Rico came together to save it.

Get out the tissues for this touching and inspiring interview with debut author, Karina Nicole González, about her beautiful new picture book, The Coquies Still Sing. Amparo Ortiz talks with Karina about what went into creating this powerful book about hope, the reality of what it was like in Puerto Rico during and after the 2017 hurricane that inspired the story, the importance of coquíes as a symbol, and why picture books have a special ability to inspire social activism and change.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! 

Join Mia García and debut author/illustrator Musa Adriana Hernández Bergstrom for a lively and humor filled conversation about Adriana's picture book Abuelita and I Make Flan, her incredible journey to becoming a children's book illustrator and author, the differences in publishing a picture as just the illustrator versus taking on both roles, tips for sequential illustration, and all things flan!

Resources Mentioned:

In this episode of Ask a Musa, Rebecca Balcárcel, Nikki Barthelmess, Maria Jose Fitzgerald, Sallie Anne Rodriguez, Juliet Menéndez, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, and Vanessa Torres share their publishing journey and talk about the growing Latinx representation in publishing. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this episode of the Las Musas Podcast: Sophomore Social, Musas Jonny Garza Villa, Juliet Menendez, and Ana Siqueira join Marcia Mickelson to discuss lessons learned and taken from writing our debut and implemented into our sophomore book process, going through the submission process again as an established author, personal growth, and future plans.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Mónica Mancillas joins Adriana Hernández Bergstrom, Anna Orenstein-Cardona, Mariana Rios Ramírez and Terry Catasús Jennings in opening up about their biggest debut fears, their struggles with self doubt, where/who they turned to for support, what they did or are doing to prepare for their big book launch, and the nitty gritty of promoting yourself on social media and learning how to be a public speaker. 

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this incredible and informative episode of the Las Musas Podcast Debut Diaries series featuring our middle grade and young adult Musas, Andrea Beatriz Arango, along with Camille Gomera Tavarez, Vanessa L. Torres, and Angela Velez discuss mental health during the debut year and debut jitters.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Terry Catasús Jennings joins Ana Siqueira, Maria José Fitzgerald, Cindy Rodriguez, and Vanessa Torres to talk about their favorite summer book recommendations for swaying in a hammock or just trying to escape the heat. From heart-warming picture books about communities coming together to scuba adventures to fun romances, they've got you covered. 

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Adrianna Cuevas interviews debut middle grade author, S. A. Rodriguez, about her exciting new  book, Treasure Tracks, coming out today, June 28th, 2022! In this fun and inspiring conversation, they share their favorite Florida shark stories, their love of the Florida keys, S.A. Rodriguez's journey from marketing to publishing, and the close family bonds that brought this book together.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! 

No new episode this week, but stay tuned for much more from the Las Musas Podcast starting next week! And, until then, take a moment to re-listen to your favorite episodes and let us know which ones you're tuning into in the comments! Thanks for your support, and we'll see you next week.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Mariana Llanos interviews debut picture book author, Cynthia Harmony about her beautiful new book, Mi Ciudad Sings/Mi Ciudad Canta, coming out today, June 14th! They talk about the 2017 earthquake that inspired her book, the power of music to bring together a community (you might want a box of tissues ready for the story about Cielito Lindo), and how to balance writing about an actual event while bringing to life fictional characters.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

On this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Adriana Hernández Bergstrom talks with Terry Catasús Jennings, Mariana Ríos Ramírez, and Karina Nicole González about how publishers decide the amount of publicity they offer authors and how to boost those efforts and get support from your community. They offer great tips for reaching out to librarians, joining marketing groups, getting more reviews, creating swag and book trailers, sending out ARCs, and sending out book mail. 

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Jonny Garza Villa joins Racquel Marie, Crystal Maldonado, and e.E Charlton-Trujillo for a beautifully bookish celebration of Pride Month. In this love letter to QTBIPOC authors and readers, they talk about the books that changed their lives, the books they would have loved to have read as kids, the books they're reading now, the books they hope to see in the future, and how their love for their readers and the younger versions of themselves shape the books they write today.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! 

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast: Debut Spotlight, debut Musa Eliza Kinkz joins fellow Musa Zara González Hoang to discuss her picture book, Goldie's Guide to Grandchilding and have a fun, fascinating discussion on inspirations in comedy and humor, art style and meaningful aspects of illustration, the author-illustrator-publisher relationships, origin stories, and finding community.

This episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries, the Middle Grade and Young Adult Edition, Angela Velez is joined by Andrea Beatriz Arango, Racquel Marie, Sallie Anne Rodriguez, and Vanessa L. Torres for a discussion on the importance of breaks in the writing process and their favorite ways to break, to share debut year and pub day words wisdom, hopes, and reflections, and talk about the role of your publishing team and how to be proactive as the debut jitters get more real.

In this episode of Ask a Musa, Mia García joins Andrea Beatriz Arango, Maria Jose Fitzgerald, and Karina Nicole González to share tips about how to go about outlining different drafts, how the revise and resubmit process can be a bit of a gamble, and how to listen to the vibes your manuscript is giving off to know whether to move forward with it or save it for another time. They also spend some time chismeando about what's been happening with publishing advances.

Book Recommendations:

In the second Sophomore Social episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Rebecca Balcarcel and Jonny Garza Villa join Laekan Zea Kemp to talk about the differences in production and publisher support between debut and sophomore releases and navigating a healthy relationship with publicity while maintaining a writing schedule, deadlines, and life.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas podcast, Terry Catasús Jennings speaks with Cynthia Harmony, Mariana Ríos, Anna Orenstein-Cardona, and Eliza Kinkz about how picture books evolve during the editing and illustration process and how the work is truly a group effort. In this conversation, they delve into what it is like to do a revise and resubmit with editors, the importance of listening and being open minded while making sure to stand up for yourself, and what it feels like to see your book come to life through the eyes of an illustrator. Eliza Kinkz also shares her unique perspective of being an illustrator and how humor plays a big role in her artistic process.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast's Debut Diaries featuring Middle Grade and Young Adult Musas, Camille Gomera-Tavarez, Sallie Anne Rodriguez, and Vanessa L. Torres discuss debut year marketing, publicity and author branding, giving listeners some tips and best practices practically, professionally, and personally.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, debut Musa Camille Gomera-Tavarez joins fellow Musa Donna Barba Higuera to discuss her much anticipated YA collection of short stories, High Spirits. They talk about Camille's unique publishing journey from graphic designer to author, uncovering family secrets, magical realism, and being true to your own voice as an author.

On this episode of Ask a Musa, authors Jonny Garza Villa, Racquel Marie, Vanessa Torres, and Ana Siquiera discuss managing time while writing, finding a Latine critique group, knowing if you are being underpaid as a marginalized author, and the latest publishing chisme.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, Rebecca Balcarcel joins Laekan Zea Kemp and Anika Fajardo to talk about their experiences living through the sophomore slump and the pressures to make their second books just as good -or better- than their first. They discuss how the sophomore slump manifested in each of their lives, how it was compounded by the pandemic, and what it's like to juggle the promotion of your debut book while working on your second.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, debut Musa Terry Catasús Jennings joins fellow Musas Karina Gonzalez, Mariana Ríos, and Eliza Kinkz. They discuss different approaches to query agents -from the methodical and data-driven to the serendipitous ways in which destiny decides for you- as well as submissions and editing.

If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks!

This episode of the Las Musas Podcast is packed full of useful tips, gems of wisdom, and lessons learned. Vanessa Torres talks with fellow Musas, Angela Velez, Sallie Anne Rodriguez, and Andrea Arango about how to find an agent, how to stand out in the famous query letter, the ups and downs of going on submission, revision techniques for the plotter and pantser, and when you should accept feedback or go with your gut.

We're bringing back Ask a Musa episodes and they're better than ever! Join Musas Terry Catasús Jennings, Jonny Garza Villa, Laekan Zea Kemp, and Vanessa L. Torres as they blurb some recent favorite reads; discuss the current book banning initiatives occurring around the country, the challenges of rewriting a manuscript; and share some writing craft tips.

In this episode of the Las Musas Podcast, debut Musa Vanessa Torres joins fellow Musa Alda P. Dobbs to discuss her historical YA novel The Turning Point. Hear how Vanessa's experience as a dancer and later as a paramedic informed this emotionally gripping novel about a Latinx girl finding freedom through dance and breaking expectations in 1980s Minnesota.