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Latinx Children’s Book Writing Workshop Returns to ESB-MACC

Austin, TX, 2021— After being rescheduled as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Latinx Children’s Book Project workshop returns to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, TX on October 21, 2021. Budding Latinx authors will once again get a chance to interact in-person with a Latinx author of books for young readers. Laekan Zia Kemp, returns this year to conduct the workshop.

“I’m so excited to return to the Latinx Children’s Book Project workshop this year to be in community with other Latinx writers looking to enter the Kidlit space,” says Kemp. “We’ll be talking about everything from idea generation to building a sustainable career and every milestone in between. Can’t wait to see everyone there!”

This year the two-hour workshop will take place from 2–4 p.m. during which time Kemp will guide attendees through the writing and publishing process. It will be followed by a book signing by Kemp of her first young adult novel, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet, published last year.

“We had an international audience last year with our second cohort via Zoom and our featured author, Laekan, who offered specific instructions about the writing process and tips for taking manuscripts to the next level, including working with an editor and finding an agent,” says Valerie Menard, creater and founder of the Latinx Children’s Book Project. “I’m hoping that we can continue the workshops as I know there is definite interest among our Latino community to write books for young Latino readers.”

Tickets for the event are $30 and seating is limited. Due to COVID19 restrictions, seating is limited to ten fully vaccinated attendees. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. To purchase a ticket go to Eventbright or to RSVP for the event, contact Menard at 512-926-1369 or via email, vmenard@email.com.

The Latinx Children’s Book Project is funded in part by the City of Austin, Economic Development Department’s Cultural Arts Division. Special thanks also to H-E-B for its sponsorship.

Austin, TX, 2020—The Latinx Children’s Book Project workshop returns for the second year, after being rescheduled as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Budding Latinx authors will once again get a chance to interact with a published Latinx author of books for young readers. This year’s featured guest will be Laekan Zia Kemp.

“I’m so excited to see this event is back for a second year,” says Cassie Lynn Smith, teaching assistant at the University of New Mexico, Chicana & Chicano Studies Department. “I learned a lot at last year’s workshop.”

The free one-hour workshop takes place December 10, 2020, from 2–3 p.m. during which Kemp will guide attendees through the writing and publishing process. For $20, attendees may also schedule a 15-minute one-on-one session with Kemp to discuss a specific project or manuscript.

“We had such a great time last year with our first cohort who were able to meet in person and interact with our featured author, Emma Otheguy, who offered specific instructions about the writing process and tips for taking manuscripts to the next level, including working with an editor and finding an agent to submit a manuscript to a children’s book publisher,” says Valerie Menard, creater and founder of the Latinx Children’s Book Project. “I had hoped that we could hold a second in-person workshop but due to COVID-19 we had to take a virtual approach, but this year I’ve added the chance to speak personally with our featured author for those who have a specific project.”

Those who have an actual manuscript, must submit it by December 3 so that Kemp will have time to review it. To RSVP to the free event, contact Menard at 512-926-1369 or via email, vmenard@email.com.

The Latinx Children’s Book Project is funded in part by the City of Austin, Economic Development Department’s Cultural Arts Division.