It is a great honor to share that Huizache Literary Magazine has published my essay, The Making of an Angel. I've been such a fan of writer/editor, Dagoberto Gilb, and his tremendous work and so it is a special thrill to be included with these stellar writers.  Now I can finally buy one of those "Huizachera" T-shirts and wear it proudly! Ajua!

Without revealing too much, my essay is about postmortem children's photography and my family's connection to this practice.  It shows a riveting picture of my Tía Consuelo when she was 14 years old and her baby as well as some historical photos by the prolific photographer, Juan de Dios Machain.  This essay was so hard to write and written through many tears. It is part of my continued necessary process to use my art to heal from the loss of my sweet girl. I feel so grateful that it would find a home in Huizache #6.  

If you would like to order a copy of the magazine, please visit the Huizache website here. 

Love, 
​Aida

The moon's been a powerful force in my life and right now her presence, her imagery, her inspiration are more alive than ever.  On May, 21, 2016, I'll be a featured reader at the Lunada Literary Lounge -- a long running open mic and feature writer reading series in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District that only happens on the full moon -- curated by poeta extraordinaire and true homegirl, Sandra Garcia Rivera.  I'll be reading excerpts from my memoir In the Womb of Love about losing my first born infant daughter, my novel in verse for middle grades, The Moon Within, and also some of my story that inspired the ballet, By the Light of the Moon, of course!

Full moon energy is intended for celebration.  I'll be celebrating my return to writing, a return to my heart, to my commitment to storytelling as an act of resistance and positive social change.  I am beyond grateful to the Lunada and Sandra especially for the invitation, for creating this space and keeping the light lit for writers to find their way home. 

Coyolxauhqui, Aztec Goddess of the moon.

I have the honor of reading at this great big writer's conference in LA thanks to my beautiful friend and colega, Vickie Vertiz.  The panel that she has so generously coordinated and will be moderating will feature writers that hail from Southeast LA - Stephan D. Gutierrez, Melinda Palacio, Vickie and yours truly! 

Here are the details:
From Bukowski to Viramontes, working-class writing in Los Angeles is a longstanding tradition. Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the county, bringing avant-garde aesthetics to literature. However, many of our stories have yet to be told. This reading highlights cutting edge poetry, story, and performance by working-class and queer Latinos from a little-known part of Los Angeles: the southeast. From railroad yards to factory floors, writers share their work of grit and heart.

Room 410, LA Convention Center, Meeting Room Level  
Thursday, March 31, 2016
3:00 pm to 4:15 pm 

https://www.awpwriter.org/awp_conference/event_detail/6432

​https://www.facebook.com/events/199958337033710/200009863695224/

I am so honored to share that my story, By the Light of the Moon / Por la Luz de la Luna, is being adapted into a ballet by wonderful choreographer, Isabelle Sjahsam in collaboration with artist, Roberto Miguel for the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance. It is one of the few Chicana-themed ballets in ballet history. 

This epic Mexican-American tale follows four-year-old Lucila who sees the evening moon for the first time while her mother, Carmela, explains that her ancestors have been adoring the moon for generations. Through Carmela’s storytelling, Lucila and audiences are transported into the time of Mexico’s Joan of Arc, Jovita, who fought for religious freedom during Mexico’s second revolution in the early part of the 20th century; then they will travel with Carmelo and Estela, two young lovers, who cross the Mexican border into the U.S. in search of the proverbial dream; and finally, enter the ancient story of the Aztec moon goddess, Coyolxauhqui whose battle with her brother, Huizilopochtli, the sun god, brought light to the night sky.

The ballet will premiere on April 9th & 10th at the Sebastiani Theater in Sonoma.
 #‎PorLaLuzDeLaLuna‬ ‪#‎SCD‬ ‪#‎Sonoma‬  

I'm excited that my work will be featured on a national internet radio program called, "Good Grief."  I'll be reading excerpts from my memoir in progress, In the Womb of Love.  We will be discovering how writing and living have helped me deal with loss. Tune in! February 3, 2016. http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2264/good-grief

In a few days, I'll be in NYC to attend two separate conferences -- the Comadres/Compadres Latino Writer's conference and the Academy of American Poets, Poet's Forum.  I'm looking forward to meeting with some of the players in the publishing world.  I'm also so excited to listen to some kick-butt writers and my heroes read their work especially Juan Felipe Herrera, Elizabeth Alexander and Joy Harjo. All right! 
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