I am excited about my historical fiction picture book coming out in 2023. I did quite a bit of research for this book and enjoyed every moment. Will let you know when publication gets closer.

There was no hurricane wind, no thunderstorm, no warning, in fact we’re in the middle of a drought,  but … this morning when I woke up and looked out my kitchen window, there was this fallen tree in my back yard. Not all the tree, but entire branches had broken off. They fell over my fence, just hanging there, almost touching the ground, but not quite. They resembled a canopy of sorts. The branches will be cut and removed, of course, but it leaves me wondering why this perfectly good-looking tree which offers some shade suddenly decided not to.

It has been hot, hot, hot here in Texas. Every day the temperature hovers above 100. The grass is drying, the plants are withering, and it is just too darn hot to be outside.

I have been working on revisions for a middle-grade novel with my agent from Upstart Crow. The editorial suggestions she makes are making the story better. I wish I could work on revisions every day, but personal life gets in the way. I try and get some reading in there as well. Not enough time in the day, though.

This is all part of the writing process—the fun part for me. The story is there; it just needs to be refined to make it better. This is the editing process where you add, delete, or change the way it’s going.

I also have several picture book manuscripts that I need to resurrect. I just sent out a poetry manuscript of about 58 poems to a contest. The winner will not be announced until October. All submissions take time. A writer has to learn patience and always has to be working on something else while waiting.

Happy to report that the black and white sketches from the illustrator for my next picture book have been completed. The book will be out in the Fall of 2023. Can hardly wait.

I am honored to have been inducted to the 2022 Texas Institute of Letters along with fourteen other Texas writers. Congratulations to all the new inductees. It’s an honor to be in such stellar company.

The TIL’s membership consists of the state’s most respected writers – including winners of the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, PEN/Faulkner Award, Academy Award, Americas Award, International Latino Book Award, Lambda Literary Award, MacArthur Fellowship, and Guggenheim Fellowship. Membership is based on ongoing and exceptional literary accomplishment.

Happy New Year! May this new year bring bountiful blessings to all. I have finished revisions on my picture book about a girl who makes an unusual gift for the president of the United States during the Great Depression. I have also selected an illustrator. The book comes out in 2023. I will keep you posted.

Also, I am happy to have acquired an agent from Upstart Crow Literary and have been working with her on revisions for my novel in verse. During the holidays, I have been reading quite a bit. Just finished a book of poetry.

The Christmas decorations have been stored again for another year. The Christmas-scented candles are used up. The cookies from the annual family Cookie Party have been distributed to friends and neighbors. The decorative poinsettia towels in the bathroom are back in the linen closet. The house looks kind of drab now. Back to normal. Back to writing. Back to creating.

I am thrilled to announce that on January 18, 2022, the book, Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America, will be published in Spanish. My short story, “My Name is Dolores,” is part of the anthology.

I am pleased to announce that I have obtained agent representation by Kayla Cichello of Upstart Crow Literary Agency. For publishing inquiries, please contact Kayla at kayla@upstartcrowliterary.com

Upstart Crow Literary is a New York City literary agency specializing in adult fiction and nonfiction, young adult, and children’s books.

I am very excited that I just signed a contract with Millbrook Press (Lerner) for a historical picture book coming out in 2023. Yay!

The Book

It’s here!!  Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America. Edited by Margarita Longoria, the book is published by Philomel Books. Twenty Latino/a authors have stories in this anthology. It has a starred review from School Library Connection. My story is titled “My Name is Dolores.” Order your copy now at: Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.   

I am thrilled to announce that my story, “My Name is Dolores,” in the anthology, Living Beyond Borders: Growing up Mexican in America, published by Philomel and edited by Margarita Longoria, will be out by August 2021. I am so honored to be included with several other amazing authors and am so looking forward to reading their stories in this book. Be on the lookout for it!

In English and Spanish, author Lupe Ruiz-Flores reads her poem, NO MORE HOLES FOR BROKEN SOLES, from the book, THANKU: POEMS OF GRATITUDE, published by Lerner. The reading is #47 on the sidebar on YouTube. Check out the video. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1W0S4U2a3KfI38u-tvKAX9eomCzAe3fb