Slow Summer? (I Hope So!)
Melinda Palacio -- June 3, 2010
Last year I experienced a publishing double header. My poetry chapbook, Folsom Lockdown won Kulupi Press's 2009 sense of Place competition and publication prize, while my novel manuscript, Ocotillo Dreams was accepted for publication this Fall by Arizona State University Bilingual Review Press. I spent the earlier months of Spring engrossed in a national book tour for Folsom Lockdown. Does this mean, I actually get a summer break?
So far, I don't have any readings or events scheduled for June-August. No pressing conferences or writing retreats either, just the respite I'm giving myself to get a handle on my second novel. Writing a second novel feels like learning how to walk all over again. Last month, when I received my copy-edited manuscript back from my publisher, I was more than happy to revisit the familiar terrain of Ocotillo Dreams. The novel's landscape and characters are concrete and real. I can give you the back story of each major, minor, and walk-on character. They may be inventions from my imagination, but I know them better than some of my family members. I can see the appeal of serializing your characters and stories, staying in the same world over many books, and years. However, Ocotillo Dreams stands alone with no sequel in mind. For now, I'm grateful for the quiet time and chance to walk on a different path, meet new characters, and tell a new story.
However, I wouldn't hold my breath about having an empty calendar for the next few months. Readings and events spring up on writers like showy outburst of colorful wildflowers. When the opportunity knocks, you don't want to say no, especially if you are an emerging writer like myself with lots of fans, but little public exposure. I'll drop most things when someone calls and asks me to read. It's an opportunity to expand my fan base and readership, instead of relying on my friends and family for an audience.
Father Boyle
and
Daniel Olivas
May was looking pretty slow. I thought I had my last reading in the beautiful wine country of Sonoma, May 14, the final stop for the Folsom Lockdown tour. Before I left for Sonoma, I was asked to join the poetry for Haiti encore reading at the Faulkner Gallery in Santa Barbara, May 17. I said, yes to another opportunity to raise money for the Haiti earthquake victims and to celebrate Haiti's flag week.
A few days later, novelist Leslie Schwartz of Homeboy Industries asked me to read at Homeboy, May 25, for the launch of Homeboy Review 2. Given the fact that Homeboy has been experiencing financial woes, I was happy to help with their fundraising efforts. The organization with the motto “Jobs not Jail,” is an important and worthy cause. I have four poems in Homeboy Review, two of which are earlier versions of those printed in Folsom Lockdown. Leslie Schwartz was my mentor during my 2007 fellowship with the PEN Emerging Voices Rosenthal program. As the PEN mentor and Emerging Voices Coordinator, Leslie was also involved with Homeboy Industries and taught poetry and writing workshops for the center. She taught me the importance of giving back to the community. I had the pleasure of meeting Father Greg Boyle at Homeboy. I've been very impressed with all Father Boyle has done for people trying to improve their lives. Of course, reading with the Homies and Daniel Olivas, editor of Latinos in Lotusland was an added bonus. The photo above of Father G and Daniel Olivas is a memento of a wonderful reading at Homeboy Industries.
Should my solitude be disturbed by a request to read late July or August, I'll be very grateful, especially if the reading comes with an honorarium, or tamales.