The Ink Is Dry!

I'm delighted to share the news that my collection of creative nonfiction and personal essays ISLAND OF BONES--a sort of follow-up to The Truth Book--is now under contract with the University of Nebraska Press.  ¡Órale!

My thanks go out to my patient and perspicacious editor, Kristen Elias Rowley, her assistant Courtney Ochsner, and the two stunning writers who who agreed to serve as blind readers of the manuscript (and then permitted their names to be released):  Norma Elia Cantú and Sandra Cisneros.  That these lit-world-rockin' writers are endorsing this project makes me feel so freakin' lucky and grateful.

I'm happy, too, about having a long, leisurely timeline for revision:  the polished manuscript isn't due to the press until April 1, 2011.  The book will be out, according to the contract, within 24 months after that--so, 2012 or 2013--which feels like a long time, but UNP is known for is its fantastic book cover design (whew!) and high production values, so for me as an author (most of us do really care about that stuff--and have almost no control over it), it'll be worth the wait. 

And lest you sophisticated, fancy-drink-drinkin' coastal types imagine that UNP is just a plains-and-prairie operation, I should say (yes, all right then:  brag) that it's the publishing home of authors who've won the Nobel, the Prix Goncourt, and other sweet prizes in just the last couple of years, and it has a long tradition of killer literary excellence.  I'm also excited that UNP provides great national distribution, like any major trade press.

So mira, here is the audience participation part.  As I revise, I would really be helped by knowing what people want to know.  (The essays mostly explore mothering, poverty, violence, academia, writing, Latinidad, adoption, teaching and learning, and women's friendships--about traversing lots of crazy worlds, like we all do.)   I would love to make this book a work of use and value that's driven not only by me but by your curiosity and interest.

So what are you curious about?  Dígame.  Tell me, and I'll try to include it in an essay.