In 2022, a huge amount of my time was spent traveling and appearing at events around Texas to promote the release of my first book, Las Criaturas. I loved meeting folks who were reading my book or experiencing my work for the first time, and I had the opportunity to appear at some events that I have always wanted to be invited to, like the Texas Book Festival in my hometown of Austin, TX. Readers and other community members have been so generous with their time and support!
While I loved all of these events, I am slowing down a bit this year to turn back to my own creative projects. I am hoping to complete a draft of my young adult supernatural historical novel this year, as well as submitting my poetry chapbook, Offerings to a Tumbled Temple. I am also excited to be working in collaboration on other projects such as a comic series, writing and publishing more short horror fiction and more! It feels very rejuvenating to be dedicated in this moment to filling my creative cup. Lately, that has looked like reading and watching all of the many horror films, shows, books and media that I can to inspire my own work.
Although I am pulling back a bit on events, I have been leading a six-week virtual Diving into the Weird writing workshop series with a wonderful community partner, Gemini Ink. It has been awesome to spend time with the talented writers who are trying out weird stuff in their writing. While that workshop is wrapping up this week, I do have some other upcoming workshops for both youth and adults that I am teaching or overseeing.
Adult:
What Happens Inside: A Body Horror Workshop (virtual) with Austin Bat Cave on Thursday, October 12th at 6:30-8:30pm
Youth:
A Zine Workshop with Curio Mrvosa in Taylor this Thursday, March 23rd
Barrio Writers Summer Workshop (July)
I hope to share more workshops and events, as well as announce future publications as the year goes on. My hope for all of us is that we are actively seeking out what creatively fuels us each day.
Leticia Urieta 