“… I’m sent back by the gods, who say ‘not so fast, you’ve got some more work to do.’ Instead of going on to paradise forever, I’m returned to a sea shore, to my family who is waiting for me. The book offers some hope, some consolation, after our journey through the many hells that we have been through.”
Continue reading“We take a deep dive with the original Xicanista and her poetry in her latest work, “My Book of the Dead” which is timely both in the age of COVID-19 and during the Halloween season…” KJZZ
Continue readingNot posting here this summer much–not because I’ve take the summer off or because there isn’t any news. Getting ready to launch my first collection of poetry in many years. The early reviews are excellent. Am excited to be able to do a few in person signings, cautiously since we’re far from free of the pandemic. I am grateful to the team working with me. For ARCS or review copies for your literary journal or…
Continue readingDrawings by Castillo are featured throughout the collection and further showcase her connection to her work as both a writer and a visual artist. MY BOOK OF THE DEAD is a remarkable collection that features a poet at the height of her craft.
Continue readingWe will resume La Tolteca 2.0–featuring long time and emerging warriors of the pen and social justice & multi-media artists who dedicate themselves to human rights.
Continue readingTwo Men and Me
I left Bukowski again, went back to Bolaño,
both men bad to their women. Both smoked and drank
themselves to death. They liked it rough, said
Continue readingSharing Perspective: Ana Castillo Uses Autobiographies to Inspire Students The ZOOM program with Diablo Valley Community College in N. California was both a pleasure and an honor. I appreciate the student writer in the school paper. It isn’t my custom to correct facts in public interviews. But when giving advice to aspiring young writers and students in writing classes, it’s important to get my message right. It’s important but not critical. Still, today, it’s an…
Continue readingI’m honored to be delivering the Commencement speech at a university’s December 2020 graduation. However, during COVID-19 the ceremony will be virtual.
Continue readingPoems from MY BOOK OF THE DEAD (unpublished collection by Ana Castillo, 2020). This group of poems has been previously published in various books & literary journals. (Some alignments may be off due to cut & pasting. (No comments on edits or grammar, please. This is being done.). I’m happy to share & thank you for reading. Positive vibe comments here are always welcome. All the line drawings are mine. (Please don’t reproduce w/out my…
Continue reading“In the popular imaginary, the word machismo become the social signifier of all that is male chauvinism.”
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