Reading BOOKS frees the imagination March 16, 2020 – Posted in: Blog, recent

If you are at home practicing social distancing, social responsibility or because you have to– remember that BOOKS are our friends.  They don’t carry viruses.  They free our imaginations. Whether you prefer fiction to non-fiction, poetry to memoir, if you are a book-lover you most likely have a pile near your bedside waiting for your attention. I recently pulled out of the bedside-shelf an old read, AZTEC by Gary Jennings.  I first read it when…

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Sin pelos en la lengua March 15, 2020 – Posted in: Blog, recent, workshops

Chicago workshop on the 18th was cancelled last week.  It would have been a good idea to cancel considering the pandemic the world is experiencing but it was cancelled because of a personal family medical emergency.  Ultimately, it all ties in. If you are interested in working with me on your writing now or in the foreseeable future please do reach out via anacastilloworkshops@gmail.com with any questions. Until now, I hesitate to blog bc before…

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Qué viva el arte, adelante las muxerx March 1, 2020 – Posted in: Blog, recent

Ana Castillo 2020   An art piece from a private collection is included in this valuable show at the San Isidro/TJ Border.   Thank you for including me.  Femicidio is an international rampant crime against girls and women.  We cannot bring enough attention to this heinous activity.  The Mal-treatment of brown people reaching U.S. border requesting asylum and the ongoing persecution of detained minors and adults is unconscionable.  

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Writing Workshop coming up!!! February 18, 2020 – Posted in: Blog, workshops

  anacastilloworkshops@gmail.com Location–NW Side of Chicago, hours, approx. 1-4 pm. No writing background necessary but you must apply. For all queries & to sign up (12 cap): anacastilloworkshops@gmail.com        

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Bendiciones en el Nombre de Ella December 11, 2019 – Posted in: Blog

Check out the Afterward in the new Massacre of the Dreamers edition.  “The Real and True Meaning of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Gloria Anzaldúa Prize for. independent scholarship, American Studies Assn.) If you have never checked out the book it is a collection of writings by a range of writers whose personal views on faith also range widely.  The English and Spanish editions vary somewhat regarding contributors.  

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My Book of the Dead: “An Homage to Akilah” – Posted in: Blog, recent

                “An Homage to Akilah” a poem en memoriam of the poet, Akilah Oliver and her son, Olushi recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize. In 2017, “Two Men and Me,” another poem in the collection published in Fifth Wednesday Journal also received a Pushcart Prize nomination. The collection’s poems were written between 2012-2019, many have gone through numerous revisions.  I put them away sometimes for years.  When do…

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Spain residence, Spring, 2020 December 1, 2019 – Posted in: Blog, recent

  I will be in Spain this year accepting a residency.It will be brief and near Madrid.  If you teach my work or on a related theme (Feminist Studies, gender, Latin/Latino lit, Chicana, Xicanx, etc.) in Spain and would like to contact me when I am in the country, email please at ana@anacastillo.net. Será breve y cerca de Madrid.  Si a caso eres profesor y trabajas con los temas de mis libros y quieres comunicarte…

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The privilege of being a poet: 100 Blessings con’d November 26, 2019 – Posted in: Blog, recent

I had a friend for a long time who was a self described “Buddhist, Chicano, surrealist poet,” Mr. Ronnie Burk. http://www.unrequitedrecords.com/?cat=19   Over the years Ronnie came to stay with me at my various residences throughout the country. in the 80s upon his first arrival to San Francisco he came directly to my home .  Before that, however, he had visited me in my home in Chicago and later, he’d come to see me in…

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