F202.
Writing in Spanish: The Case of Seattle Escribe
Friday, March 10, 2023
1:45 pm to 3:00 pm
The US needs to listen to the plurality of voices inside its borders. Spanish is the second most spoken language in this country, yet the production of literature in Spanish is abysmal. Seattle Escribe is the largest group of writers in the Pacific Northwest offering free classes and literary events entirely in Spanish. This panel will discuss the experiences and lessons learned so other communities may replicate this successful model and help detonate the boom of Spanish literature in the US.
Participants
José L. Montero is a bilingual writer, editor, and advocate of Spanish-language literature in the United States. He holds MFAs in narrative and poetry and was part of the Jack Straw Writers Program. A former president of Seattle Escribe, he currently serves on the board of Seattle City of Literature.
Maria de Lourdes Victoria is a bilingual, award-winning author. She is the author of Los Hijos del Mar (Ediciones B, 2006), Más Allá de la Justicia (Entre Líneas, Libros y Palabras, 20210) and La Casa de los Secretos (Planeta México, 2016) She is the founder of Seattle Escribe and Hedgebrook alumna.
Rita Wirkala.is an award-winning bilingual writer, translator, editor, and educator. She holds a doctoral degree in Spanish Literature and currently teaches classes and workshops on creative writing in Spanish at the Seattle Public Library and Seattle Escribe organizations.
Teresa Luengo Cid works for the King County Library System serving the Spanish-speaking population, creating reading clubs in Spanish and as a literacy workshop presenter for Latino parents. She coordinated an early literacy program in Spanish, worked as a parent educator and as a language teacher.
