Join us for an IG chat with Oombi Solis Flores on Thursday, 11/17 at 8:00pm PDT

We'll be talking with Oombi about their book, (Be)longing.

(BE)LONGING
(World Stage Press, 2022)

(Be)longing is a coming-of-age journey across borders and binaries. In their debut poetry collection, Flores offers memories and visions of self-discovery and queer intimacy. (Be)longing serves as a self-love handbook that will appeal to the deep longing we all share– to find a place where our hearts and souls can rest.

(BE)LONGING is achingly beautiful and brilliant. Each poem, delicately crafted, appeals to the deep longing we all have—to find a place where our hearts can rest—whether in the arms of a lover or in our own arms. (BE)LONGING is not only a fight to acquire one’s identity but a handbook on how to love oneself through grief and questioning. Oombi Solis Flores leads us on their uphill journey to a mountainous view where we can stand in awe and collectively say “we belong / we are here.”

You can purchase (Be)Longing at https://worldstagepress.org/product/belonging-by-oombi-solis-flores/

And follow Oombi on Instagram @jotitadeamor

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for a Live Chat with L.A. poet, Jerry Garcia, Wednesday 11/16 at 7pm PST.

We’ll be chatting about his writing journey and his latest book, Trumpets in the Sky

Trumpets in the Sky
(Moontide Press 2022)

”…a collection of poems that point to the universe while proclaiming the complexities of living on planet earth. These poems are full of astonishment, absurdity, reverence, and social science. Some are surreal, some are staid, all are sincere.”

Jerry Garcia is a poet, photographer, and filmmaker from Los Angeles, California. His poetry has been seen in Wide Awake: Poets of Los Angeles and Beyond, The Chiron Review, Coiled Serpent Anthology, and Voices from Leimert Park Redux, among others. He has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has published three books of poetry: Trumpets in the Sky, On Summer Solstice Road, and the chapbook Hitchhiking With the Guilty. He has been a producer and editor of television commercials, documentaries, and motion picture previews. Jerry lives in Southern California with his wife Becky and their poetic dog, Japhy.

To purchase Trumpets in the Sky and more of Jerry’s books, visit
https://www.gratefulnotdead.com/buy-trumpets-in-the-sky.html
And follow him on Instagram @gnd54

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for a Live Chat with Deborah Ortiz, Wednesday 11/9 at 4pm PDT.

We’ll be chatting about her poetry collection, 'She' is the Sweetest Word.

'She' is the Sweetest Word
(2021)
’She’ is the Sweetest Word is a book about love and loss and finding beauty all around.

To purchase her book, visit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M9BJJ8K
And follow her on Instagram @ deborahnoemiortiz

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for an IG chat with J. Daniel Cruz Tuesday, 10/25 at 1pm PDT

We'll be talking with Jesus-Daniel about A Path of Roses and Thorns.

A Path of Roses and Thorns
(2022)

Mexican LGBTQ writer, artist, and poet J. Daniel Cruz pulls from his experiences as a gay man and recipient of D.A.C.A. in this evocative collection of poetry. Expressing himself through eloquent verse, he takes on several themes: the push and pull between romance and self-preservation. The pain of growing up and living as a person of color in America. The passion of an artist. The frustration with national and global injustice.

Reflecting the author’s roots, original poems written in both English and Spanish are included. Also included are specially dedicated poems to celebrate beloved members of Cruz’s communities.

A Path of Roses and Thorns is a powerful and emotive collection echoing experiences that members of any community can empathize with.

You can purchase the book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B92LDZ52
And follow him on Instagram @j.daniel.cruz.

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for an IG chat with Cyan Villanueva Tuesday, 10/18 at 3pm PDT

We'll be talking with Cyan about The Loversfortune: Vol 1.

The Loversfortune: Vol 1.
(2022)
There were many loves that could not stay, what is left of them; I keep here.

You can purchase the book at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TV5729L
And follow her on Instagram @poetcjv

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for an IG chat with Sofía Aguilar Friday, 10/14 at 2pm PDT

We'll be talking with Sofía about Streaming Service: Seasons 1 & 2


Book 1: STREAMING SERVICE: golden shovels made for tv

STREAMING SERVICE: golden shovels made for tv is an ode to the historic, moving mode of episodic and serial storytelling. Without regard for genre, location, or air date, Sofía Aguilar borrows spoken tv dialogue penned by other writers and makes each word the sternum of her poems through an unusually structured but culturally transformative poetic form. Blurring the lines between fiction and reality, character and person, identity and heartache, Aguilar honors the stories that shaped her, that have been told before—all while bringing forth her own.

Book 2: STREAMING SERVICE: season two

STREAMING SERVICE: season two is the long-awaited sequel to Sofía Aguilar’s debut poetry chapbook, STREAMING SERVICE: golden shovels made for tv (2021). With a growing masterful hand, Aguilar returns to a familiar poetic form to weave together dialogue from more tv shows past and present (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bridgerton, I Love Lucy) with her own personal experiences of break-ups, new love, kinship, family, and navigating multi-faceted identity while still processing the trauma of history. Roping in fellow contemporary poets for collaboratively-written golden shovels (“crossover episodes”) and lyrics from a few of her favorite artists to create song-inspired golden shovels (“season soundtrack”), she creates an ever-expansive, ambitious, and most of all, tender love letter to television itself—all while writing her own story.

You can purchase the series directly at https://sofiaaguilar.bigcartel.com/product/physical-bundle-streaming-service-seasons-one-and-two

And follow her on Instagram @sofiaxaguilar

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for an IG chat with Andrea Lopez, Sunday, 10/9 at 11am PDT

We'll be talking about Andrea's self-published poetry chapbook, You Will Soon Bloom.

You Will Soon Bloom
(self published, 2021)

Andrea is a 20-something-year-old latina author & poet from California! She has been writing as a creative outlet since she was 13, but really found a love for poetry about 4 years ago. Her favorite poets are Reyna Biddy, Yesika Salgado and Nayyirah Waheed. Aside from writing, she enjoys listening to music & tending to her plants.

To purchase her book and learn more about Andrea, visit
https://msha.ke/im.andrea.lopez#links
And follow her on Instagram @im.andrea.lopez

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for an IG chat with Gina Duran Monday, 10/3 at 8pm PDT

We'll be talking with Gina about her book on FlowerSong Press, …and so, the Wind Was Born

…and so, the Wind Was Born
(FlowerSong Press, 2021)

…and so, the Wind was Born, is a book about love, friendship, community, and the desire to heal. It is about the way we struggle and fall during the healing process and how the power of the love of one person can become the power of community and the desire to lift each other during and after trauma and hardship.

Works from her debut collection of poetry “…and so, the Wind was Born,” published by FlowerSong Press can be found in the Her Story Mixed Tape Collection at the Autry Museum of the American West, in LA and Life in Quarantine project, at Stanford University. When she’s not making art and building community, Duran is a first semester MFA Grad student at Antioch University (in LA) while she works as a Substitute teacher, Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist, and youth program director. She feels art and community can and will lead to positive change.

You can purchase the book at https://www.flowersongpress.com/store-j9lRp/p/pre-order-and-so-the-wind-was-born-by-gina-duran
And follow her on Instagram @byginaduran

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up! #supportpoets

Join us for a Live Chat with Andrew Joseph Zaragoza Jr., this Wednesday, 9/21 at 7pm

We’re gonna talk about Andrew’s second poetry collection, Second Chances in The Fall published on Simon & Schuster imprint, Archway Publishing.

An account of hope. A testament to the past. Join the author once more as he opens up the world of Los Angeles to readers worldwide. In his sophomore collection of prose and poetry, Second Chances in The Fall, Andrew begins to unravel the story further as he recounts his time as a young adult and what transpired. Stories passed down from one generation and back, each page builds further on the narrative of loss, tenacity, reflection, and faith while facing darkness. The sequel to his acclaimed debut, XI: A Collection of Poetry on Being Human.

Andrew Joseph Zaragoza Jr. has since moved on from his time as an undergraduate student and into the field of community mental health in Los Angeles. Born and raised in the Gateway Cities, he is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology. His passions are tied between education, healing and pursuit of the arts. As a family man of many talents, he can be found online as a podcast host, musician, brand developer, and graphic designer during his spare time.

To purchase his book, visit

https://www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/825582-second-chances-in-the-fall

And follow him on Instagram @andrewascended

Do you have a book you wanna talk about? Hit us up!

#supportpoets