Cuentos del Centro

On Friday the Latino Writers Collective launched their latest book, Cuentos del Centro: Stories from the Latino Heartland. Their debut, Primera Pagina: Poetry from the Latino Heartland, the first of its kind featuring Latino writers from the Midwest, has been nominated for numerous book awards: a recent finalist for the USA Book News 2009 Award in Poetry Anthologies, as well as ForeWord Magazine 2009 Award.

So, this second book, featuring fiction writers, has a lot to live  up to. One of my short stories, "Farmhouse," was chosen to be published in the anthology and on Friday I was one of four writers asked to read their work. I was excited, nervous, and humbled to be one of the readers. The Collective is such an amazing group of artists, an amazing group of people. They are the epitome of La Familia.

During a typical Kansas thunderstorm complete with torrential rains, booming thunder, and cloud to ground lightning, we took the stage. Juanita Salazar Lamb read her engaging and humourous tale of a young girl, a quincenera, and a red dress; Jason read raw, in-your-gut poetry that made you stop and take a breath; Xanath read an intriguing story of a woman and her thirst for life (her intro. in Spanish was breathtaking); and I read "Farmhouse," which, appropriately for the evening, begins with a family trying to out run a Kansas thunderstorm.

The reading and book launch was held at The Writer's Place, an amazing castle that, Gloria tells, is haunted. The pictures do not do the place justice, it has so much character and history. An absolute must see.

The reading was incredible. I didn't falter as much as I anticipated considering I was reading from a much butchered-sliced-and-diced copy of my story to meet the time requirements. The audience was responsive and attentive and the overall atmosphere was indescribable.

Afterwards, there was a reception of wine and snacks and a book signing and  great conversation...All together one amazing evening. I consider myself so fortunate to be among this group. So thankful that Ben and Linda answered my email last July, inquiring of their Collective.

I consider this a huge stepping stone for my writing. I am grateful for the opportunity and even more grateful to have a geniune group of my peers assist me with my writing, encourage, critique, and support me. We all are truly blessed, for this is indeed rare. Jose is correct. Many will leave the group to continue their journey and this is how it should be, to grow, to move forward.

But how comforting to know that one can always find home at the Writer's Place and the Latino Writers Collective.

 (more pics in Picture Gallery...)