Chilangos in the House
Welcome to my blog!
The road to publishing my first book---Chilangos in the House: The True Story of a MexiCAN, has been long and winding. It began as a ghost writing job, then became what it is when I realized my client appreciates authenticity as much as I do.
So, I ask you...assuming you are a writer. How many books have you written? Isn't that a more precise question to ask a writer than, "How many books have you published?"
This is my first published book, though I have had two different book contracts disintegrate after putting a year into each project. I also have a file of unpublished works that I call my "Maybe Someday, Maybe Never" collection. Then, of course, there is my personal encyclopedia, which includes countless journals---countless only because I've never counted----that contain details of much of my waking life, and dreaming life as well. Doesn't all that count? How about the songs I've written? I've recorded four albums of music all with my own lyrics. I've been writing since I was a child.
About eight years ago, I had a dream. There was a book on my coffee table written by Cervantes. Of course, I assumed it must be Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes, but now I prefer to think it was a premonition that I would pen the memoir of Leo Cervantes, whom I like to think of as the Mexican male version of me.
It is also interesting that at this time I will put out a book of fiction called Divine Stupidity under the pen name Faith St. Augustine in an effort to keep my non-fiction and fiction books separate. I may even act differently when I do book signings and speaking engagements with my fiction. Just for fun.
The reason these two books will be published in the same year, although I began working on Divine Stupidity in 2001, the year I left the Asbury Park Press to become a full-time freelance writer, is thanks to Create Space. After the trouble I've had with various publishers, I decided I'd prefer to have full control and self-publish. It has been great so far.
If you happen to be on the hunt for a literary agent or the right publisher, consider self-publishing. It is the most empowering experience in all 28 years of my career.
Stay tuned for updates about this experience.
I look forward to your feedback and comments.
Faithfully yours,
Yolanda
The road to publishing my first book---Chilangos in the House: The True Story of a MexiCAN, has been long and winding. It began as a ghost writing job, then became what it is when I realized my client appreciates authenticity as much as I do.
So, I ask you...assuming you are a writer. How many books have you written? Isn't that a more precise question to ask a writer than, "How many books have you published?"
This is my first published book, though I have had two different book contracts disintegrate after putting a year into each project. I also have a file of unpublished works that I call my "Maybe Someday, Maybe Never" collection. Then, of course, there is my personal encyclopedia, which includes countless journals---countless only because I've never counted----that contain details of much of my waking life, and dreaming life as well. Doesn't all that count? How about the songs I've written? I've recorded four albums of music all with my own lyrics. I've been writing since I was a child.
About eight years ago, I had a dream. There was a book on my coffee table written by Cervantes. Of course, I assumed it must be Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes, but now I prefer to think it was a premonition that I would pen the memoir of Leo Cervantes, whom I like to think of as the Mexican male version of me.
It is also interesting that at this time I will put out a book of fiction called Divine Stupidity under the pen name Faith St. Augustine in an effort to keep my non-fiction and fiction books separate. I may even act differently when I do book signings and speaking engagements with my fiction. Just for fun.
The reason these two books will be published in the same year, although I began working on Divine Stupidity in 2001, the year I left the Asbury Park Press to become a full-time freelance writer, is thanks to Create Space. After the trouble I've had with various publishers, I decided I'd prefer to have full control and self-publish. It has been great so far.
If you happen to be on the hunt for a literary agent or the right publisher, consider self-publishing. It is the most empowering experience in all 28 years of my career.
Stay tuned for updates about this experience.
I look forward to your feedback and comments.
Faithfully yours,
Yolanda
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