I met writer and performance artist Puma Perl at the Acentos poetry workshops in the Bronx in 2010, and was instantly smitten by her unabashedly powerful voice. Make sure you catch Puma live at her monthly shows at the Bowery Poetry Club (DDAY Productions) and check out her poetry chapbook Belinda and Her Friends and book knuckle tattoos.

You can also check out her blog at http://pumaperl.blogspot.com

Hope you enjoy Puma’s reading of a few “dark” poems:

Entierro

Te enterraré bajo palabras.
Al lado de una catatumba donde
yacen los minutos pasados.
Los marcados con indiferencia;
perfumados por la desolación;
aquellos sin apoyo;
los de espera paciente por acción.

Bajo las palabras te enterraré.
Junto a las conversaciones mudas,
a los momentos no valorados.
¡Más puede un bastón!
Más la paciencia es corta, se agota.
Sigo añadiendo minutos al féretro
mientras el presente pasa.

Te enterraré bajo las palabras
que desconoces, que me conocen,
que me hacen suya.
Aquellas que fueron en los minutos
creadas e inmortalizadas.
Amargas a tu paladar cuando
trates de comerlas.

Las palabras te enterrarán
al aparentar orgullo en felicidad
falsa que se vislumbra en tu rostro
enredado en agonía porque pudieron
ser tuyas más conocías las ajenas.
El mío se clavará en tu mirada
como triunfo que no deseabas vivir.

Yo te enterraré en las palabras.
El miedo que sentía desvanecerá,
será en ese momento tuyo.
Tu futuro por siempre un
coexistir entre letras,
fragmentado en mi tiempo
que me posee a cada segundo.

Conectensen con esta poeta en:

Twitter @AlexandraRoman
Facebook: AlexandraRomandeHernandez

Y lea su Blog: http://alexandraroman.com

Vampires? Werewolves? Zombies? These Halloween icons got Nada on the nightmare which is corporate globalization and its far-reaching choke hold on Central and South American democracy.

So our special treat to you today, dear readers, is a reading of an excerpt of A Death in Newport by author Michael Hogan.

About the book:

(from Amazon reviewer John Stephen Beauchamp)

Michael Hogan’s new novel is a police thriller of a different sort. The main character, Gary Regan, starts his journey from Guadalajara to Newport, RI, his hometown, in order to attend the funeral of his father, Michael Regan, a well known left-wing intellectual and activist in town for an international conference, who has died of a fall from the cliffs of Rough Point. Along the way, Gary also looks into his own past and takes stock of prior problems with alcohol and drugs, his lack of success beyond his present job as tennis instructor in Guadalajara, and his poor relationship with his father the past ten years. Once he arrives in Newport, he soon finds himself entangled in an increasingly complex web of mysteries regarding his father’s death and his own family history. He also meets and befriends a homeless alcoholic, Tommy Sullivan, who starts his own quest to stop drinking and along the way becomes a integral part of the plot. Readers will enjoy seeing beneath the surface of Newport into the shadow world of politics, power, money, drugs, and international intrigue that links Newport with Latin America. They will learn about some of the problems in Bolivia with deforestation, worker abuse, violent gangs, and will be surprised to see how these ultimately connect with people and business practices in Newport. The novel is a real page turner, and once they start, readers will want to keep going until they see the pieces of the puzzle fall into place in surprising and interesting ways. As the characters develop and learn more about themselves and the way things work in a complex world, readers will feel privileged to share the journey.

About Michael Hogan:

 Michael Hogan is the author of eighteen books including The Irish Soldiers of Mexico which formed the basis for an MGM film starring Tom Berenger. He was born and raised in Newport, Rhode Island, and works as a consultant for the State Department in Latin America.

Dulce Bread & Book Shop treats its readers to suspenseful and mysterious short reads with Latino authors and Arte Público Press!

Today is our double whammy with one of our favorite indie bookstore and long time supporter of Condor Book Tours offering up a tasty treat of mysterious reads from one of our favorite publishers, Arte Público Press

Enjoy! Aproveche!

Alonso M Perales / Brujas, Lechuzas y Espantos
Mario Acevedo / Oh, Yeah
Lucha Corpi / Hollow Point at the Synapses
Sarah Cortez / In My Hands
Carolina Garcia-Aguilera / The Right Profile
Alicia Gaspar de Alba / Shortcut to the Moon
Carlos Hernandez / Los Simpaticos
Rolando Hinojosa-Smith / Nice Climate, Miami
Bertha Jacobson / A Broken String of Lace
John Lantigua / A Reunion with Death
Arthur Munoz / Made in China
R. Narvaez / In the Kitchen with Johnny Albino
LM Quinn / A Not So Clear Case of Murder
Manuel Ramos / The Skull of Pancho Villa
S Ramos O’Briant / Death, Taxes… and Worms
A E Roman / Under the Bridge
Steven Torres / Caring for Jose
Sergio Troncoco / A New York Chicano

Visit Dulce Bread and Book Shop’s online book store or Arte Publico Press to learn more about these titles and to order you copies!

Top Ten Submission Nightmares

1. Address your query letter to the wrong agent or editor (The Horror!)

2. Don’t include a SASE with paper submissions (Savage!)

3. Send cash or a check instead of proper postage for returning paper submissions (Outrage!)

4. Mail a submission when e-mails are preferred (Zombie!)

5. E-mail a submission when snail mail is preferred (Return of the Zombie!)

6. Call or e-mail incessantly to ask if the agent or editor liked your submission (Stalkers!!)

7. Brag how much your family and friends love your writing (Oh no she didn’t…)

8. Declare your book idea is a guaranteed bestseller (Don’t go there!)

9. Reveal that your manuscript was actually channeled to you by God (Freaky!)

10. Condemn other published books as poorly written–thereby indirectly criticizing the taste and judgement of agents and editors (R.I.P)

A few months ago I received a copy of Me No Habla with Acento, a collection of spoken word and poetry published by Rebel Satori Press in association with El Museo del Barrio.

Edited by Emanuel Xavier, this collection includes works by Edwin Torres, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Maria Rodriguez-Morales, Erik “Advocate of Wordz” Maldonado, Bonafide Rojas, Luzma Umpierre, Paul S. Flores, Roberto “Simply Rob” Vassilarakis, Caridad de la Luz “La Bruja”, Nancy Mercado, Urayoan Noel, Chris “Chilo” Cajigas, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, Roberto F. Santiago, Frank Perez, Sheila Maldonado, John “Chance” Acevedo, Machete Movement, Lisa Alvarado, A.B. Lugo, Jason “Majestik Originality” Hernandez, Myrna Nieves, Tito Luna, and Carlos Andrez Gomez.

My review of Me No Habla with Acento is still pending, but I am thrilled to share with you today editor and poet Emanuel Xavier reading from his collection If Jesus were Gay and other Poems.

Although this reading was recorded for October OSCURO, it’s a special honor to include this reading today, on #SpiritDay, a Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) campaign to stand in solidarity with LGBT youth.

Many beautiful voices from our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community are often stifled, and many times tragically silenced, so it’s our honor to share with you the beautiful voice and spirit which is Emanuel Xavier.

About the Poet

Emanuel Xavier is author of the novel Christ Like, the poetry collection, If Jesus Were Gay & other poems, and the forthcoming Pier Queen and Americano.  He was proclaimed a GLBT Icon by the Equality Forum in 2010 and is recipient of the Marsha A. Gomez Cultural Heritage Award, a New York City Council Citation, and a World Pride Award.  He is editor of Me No Habla With Acento: Contemporary Latino Poetry, Bullets & Butterflies: queer spoken word poetry, and Mariposas: A Modern Anthology of Queer Latino Poetry.

Connect with Emanuel on Facebook and check out his website www.emanuelxavier.com.

Synopsis:

A small-time reseller of stolen goods, Tino is arrested and placed in jail for 30 days with Rufo, a social misfit. There, in a run of insomnia, he hears the ghost of his suicide father taunting him until he attempts suicide but is saved at the last minute by his jailer. Meanwhile, the cop who arrested him falls in love with his sister, Magdalena, and pursues an awkward but successful courtship.

Joann Farías is a 2005-2006 recipient of the NEA/TCG Theatre Residency Program forPlaywrights Miracle Theatre, where she wrote The Road to Xibalbá, which was produced in September of 2006, thanks to a grant from the NEA.

Her work has been read at A Contemporary Theatre (in coordination with eSe Teatro), the Seattle Repertory Theatre (Northwest Playwrights Alliance), Brava! For Women in the Arts in San Francisco, FringeACT Festival, A Contemporary Theatre/Hedgebrook Women Playwrights Festival, Carlsbad Playreaders, and Richard Hugo House.

South Coast commissioned Tino Does Time, which won the Richard Hugo House New Play
Competition in 2000 and was produced by Live Girls! Theater in 2003 and Miracle Theatre in 2004.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back, was produced by South Coast Rep as part of
California Scenarios and published by Playscripts. Las Tres Marias (co-authored with Marta Sanchez and Carmen Carrion) was produced by Mae West Fest and read at Bumbershoot and Miracle Theatre. Edward, CEO was read at FringeACT and is currently a musical (with composer Bernard Pack) and is tentatively scheduled for production at Live Girls! Theater. The Seattle Opera Education Department commissioned and produced La Casa Verdi and Orpheus Sings of Love.

Live Girls! Theatre produced the short plays Raul’s Last Stand and El Corrido de Manny Cruz. Cornish College of the Arts commissioned and produced a translation of Moliere’s George Dandin (with Chuck Hudson). Seattle’s La Casa de Artes commissioned and produced El Corrido de Manny Cruz. Her radio work has been produced by Shoestring Radio Theatre, Jack Straw, New Waves Radio Theatre, and KUOW. Literary work has been published in The Amherst Review, The South Carolina Review, and Dialogue. She is currently a coordinator of
Los Porteños, a Portland-area Latino writers group.

As an artist-educator, Joann Farías has taught—often bilingually–at the Miracle Theatre’s Pluma Nueva program, at Portland-area schools, as a guest lecturer for the Writers in the Schools Program, and for the Artists Repertory Theatre Education Department.

She has acted in plays by Shakespeare, Brecht, Carballido, traditional Spanish pastorela, and her
own work.

Dia de los Muertos

Scurry over to your favorite local indie bookstore and get some books to share with the lil’ devils on Dia de los Muertos Oct 31-Nov 2.

Here’s a list of 5 favorites from one of our favorite indies, La Casa Azul Bookstore:

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), celebrated between October 31st and November 2nd, is a celebration in which Mexicans remember and honor their deceased loved ones. It’s a festive and colorful holiday. Mexicans visit cemeteries, decorate the graves and spend time there – in the presence of their deceased friends and family members. They also make elaborately decorated altars in their homes to welcome the spirits. The spirits of the dead are expected to pay a holiday visit home and should be provided with an enticing repast and adequate sustenance for the journey.

~Aurora Anaya-Cerda, founder La Casa Azul Bookstore

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El dia de los muertos / The Day of the Dead

by Bob Barner

This story looks at the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, as a family remembers their ancestors and celebrates with sugar skulls, marigold petals, and joyful songs.

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Calavera Abecedario: A Day of the Dead Alphabet Book

by Jeanette Winter

A title that features jaunty illustrations inspired by Mexican folk art and a short story about preparations for the Day of the Dead that includes within it an alphabet book based on the Spanish alphabet. The heart of the book is the artwork: vivid pastel clothing and scenery set against shiny black backgrounds and complemented by the bright white of the skeletons that form an integral part of the Mexican and Mexican-American celebrations.

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Un Regalo Para Abuelita/ a Gift for Abuelita

by Nancy Luenn

After her beloved grandmother dies, Rosita hopes to be reunited with Abuelita as she prepares a gift to give her when her family celebrates the Day of the Dead.

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I Remember Abuelito / Yo Recuerdo a Abuelito

by Janice Levy

It’s the Day of the Dead! It’s time to celebrate! In this bilingual book, a young girl is busy helping her family prepare to honor those who have died. First she goes with her mama to the market to buy pan de muerto. Then she lays a path of marigold petals with her papa. But mostly, she thinks of her abuelito. She misses him very much and is excited for his spirit to visit that night. And when she sees the butterflies fly through the sky, she knows that his spirit is with them.

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Festival of Bones/El Festival De Las Calaveras

by Luis San Vicente

About La Casa Azul Bookstore:

Grounded in Latino culture, La Casa Azul Bookstore is dedicated to providing cultural, and educational programs via literature and art in East Harlem. It is our vision to foster public awareness and appreciation of the arts by being a focal point where people come to find unique gifts and participate in culturally-based workshops that celebrate Latino traditions.

La Casa Azul Bookstore has been online for 3 years (lacasaazulbookstore.com). Since the launch of the website in 2008, La Casa Azul Bookstore has hosted over 60 events in local cultural institutions, schools and cafés with authors like Esmeralda Santiago, Daisy Martinez and Junot Diaz. La Casa Azul Bookstore also established the annual East Harlem Children’s Book Festival, and also works with local schools and non-profit organizations to promote literacy.

La Casa Azul is currently in the midst of an exciting and ambitious fundraising project to take them from an online space to a brick and mortar store in East Harlem.

Founder Aurora Anaya-Cerda launched the ‘40K in 40 days’ campaign to open La Casa Azul Bookstore in East Harlem. A generous benefactor has committed to matching the $40,000 dollar for dollar if La Casa Azul Bookstore and its supporters can match the amount by October 23rd.

This is a campaign to open a real, physical, retail space in East Harlem. La Casa Azul Bookstore will sell new & used books, coffee, pastries, art, clothing and locally-made cards and gifts. We will continue to work with area schools and nonprofits to promote literacy in our community, and will cross-promote with local businesses to highlight the importance of sustainability & buying locally.

A wide array of incentives are offered to campaign supporters, with gifts ranging from autographed books, T-shirts, to naming a bookshelf! The money raised in the ‘40K in 40 days’ campaign will guarantee a matching investment and the opportunity to secure inventory, fixtures and café equipment. Most importantly, it will secure the deposit on the retail property and allow for La Casa Azul Bookstore to open its doors in 2012.

40K in 40 days campaign information:
Indiegogo campaign link: www.indiegogo.com/lacasaazulbookstorenyc
Website: lacasaazulbookstore.com
Twitter: @lacasaazulbooks
Blog: www.luchalibrosnyc.blogspot.com
Email: lucha.libros@gmail.com

A NOVEL BY CHARLIE VAZQUEZ

About the Author

Charlie Vázquez is a radical writer of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent. His fiction and essays have been published in various print and online publications and anthologies. He hosts a queer reading series in New York called PANIC! and is a retired experimental musician and photographer. Contraband is his second novel.

Visit FireKing Press for more info! Available in book and Kindle at Amazon

Listen in as Charlie reads from the foreword of his dystopic novel, Contraband.

Join Condor Book Tours as we embark on a tour of the freaky during our

October Oscuro (Dark October)

Literary Event!

From haunting readings, to eerie guest posts and chilling writing prompts, we’ve got you covered for your fill of creepiness from the first full moon in October to Dia de los Muertos and Hallow’s Eve…

Check back often, this event is paranormal-ly scheduled, but we will be waiting for you…

lock your doors, pull your blinds and don’t forget to grab a book…

In photo: The Mask of Oya by Flor Fernandez Barrios