At 10, the Latino Writers’ Collective continues nurturing Hispanic authors
The Latino Writers’ Collective started a decade ago as both a home for Hispanic writers and a platform for future talent.
“The collective was started as a way to address what was perceived to be a dearth of Latino writers in the community,” German Perilla, group member, said.
Perilla spoke on the group’s 10th anniversary.
“At many literary events, we did not see ourselves represented. We knew there were writers in the area that needed a collective to promote their work and their advancement.”
The Latinos Writers’ Collective was founded by Jenni Prado, Angela Cervantes, Jose Faus, Gabriela Lemmons and Maria Vazquez Boyd.
Today, the collective counts a membership over 40 of active writers and volunteers.
The group’s mission: to be a home for “a group of Latino writers deeply engaged in the celebration of the cultural underpinnings of the Latino experience, whether it be immigrant narratives, border concerns, and historical and cultural foundations,” Perilla said. “We celebrate and embrace our rich and varied cultural history with members representing the U.S. born, immigrant, Caribbean, Central and South American experience. “
The collective workshops writing from its members and organizes public readings of its authors’ work.
In 10 years, the Latino’s Writers’ Collective has overseen the publication of three anthologies, one book of poetry and a book of short stories and the group’s most recent anthology, “Corazón y una Lengua Peregrina.” Perilla calls the book “a hybrid celebration of the Spanish language.” The book is available on Amazon.
