Las Musas Podcast

In this episode, Debut Musa and author of the brilliant and hilarious Perfectly Parvin Olivia Abtahi chats with Las Musas Madrina and author Kristina Pérez . They discuss everything from Olivia's inspiration for the book and high school memories, to her favorite books growing up and more! If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! Buy Olivia Abtahi's YA no...

In this episode of Radio Musas, Jackie Azúa Kramer stops by to read from her upcoming picture book, I Wish You Knew , a story about deportation, divided families, and the importance of community in the midst of uncertainty. Resources Mentioned: Latinx KidLit Book Festival Bank Street Writers Lab Sound effects pulled from YouTube Studio. - If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources...

In this episode of the Debut Diaries, Middle Grade and Young Adult Edition , Musas Terry Catasús Jennings, Alda P. Dobbs, Jonny Garza Villa, and Laekan Zea Kemp discuss marketing and publicity, their unique roles in the publishing process, and their own experiences as debut authors. Resources Mentioned: Sun Literary Arts Blue Slip Media Rachel Strolle, @recitrachel on Twitter Adriana M. Martínez F...

On this episode of Ask A Musa, we take listener and subscriber questions about going on multiple rounds of submission with a particular project, how the Las Musas marketing collective works, and our favorite craft books. Resources Mentioned: Story Genius by Lisa Cron & Lisa Cron's website Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly by Gail Carson Levi...

In this episode of Debut Diaries (Picture Book Edition), Musas Mónica Mancillas, NoNieqa Ramos, and Ana Siqueira chat about finding community as writers, our families as partners and support systems on our book journeys, and reviews and endorsements. Resources Mentioned: #PBchat , hosted by author Justin Colon SCBWI #DVpit Reviewers such as Kirkus , Booklist , and School Library Journal If you enj...

On this inaugural episode of Radio Musas we’ll be reading an excerpt from Loriel Ryon’s debut Into the Tall, Tall Grass a middle grade novel which follows Yolanda Rodríguez-O'Connell a young girl from a magical family who journeys across her family's land to save her grandmother's life in this captivating and magical debut. This episode is narrated by Loriel Ryon ( Into the Tall, Tall Grass ), Mia...

In this episode, authors Alda P. Dobbs, Jonny Garza Villa, and Crystal Maldonado discuss blurbs and acknowledgments! These musas talk about the value of blurbs, tips for requesting, the thrill of receiving support from authors you admire, suggestions for writing acknowledgments, and more! Resources Mentioned: SCBWI Conferences If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, pl...

In this episode, Debut Musa and author of SOMEWHERE BETWEEN BITTER AND SWEET Laekan Zea Kemp is interviewed by Musa and author of BLAZEWRATH GAMES Amparo Ortiz. They chat about the inspiration behind the book, a shared love of food, writing in duel POVs, favorite parts of the book, and what comes next.  Resources mentioned:  Manuscript Academy If you enjoyed this episode, please consider...

In the fourth episode of Ask A Musa, we take listener and subscriber questions! Discover how to find traditional publishers that are friendly to Latinx creatives, what to do when you get a "Revise & Resubmit" email from an agent, and what to expect when you're on submission and an agent or editor wants to hop on the phone with you.   Resources Mentioned:  Writing Contests f...

In this episode of Debut Diaries (Picture Book Edition), Musas Ana Siqueira, Marissa Valdez, and Gloria Amescua chat about picking the perfect book title, what makes a great cover design, and the collaboration between writer and illustrator.  If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, please consider buying a book (or a few) and following the participating Musas to s...

In this episode, Jonny Garza Villa and Alda P. Dobbs discuss titles and cover design! These musas share insight into how they came up with their final titles, reveal how the cover design process worked, offer aspects they loved or things that surprised them, and more! Resources Mentioned: Creating Vision Boards with Pinterest If you enjoyed this episode or plan on using the resources provided, ple...

In our third episode of Ask A Musa, we take listener and subscriber questions focusing on our love and hate of revisions, how we make time for our writing, the pros and cons of an MFA, and how we, as writers, approach the creation of our antagonists. Resources Mentioned: Kweli: The Color of Children’s Literature Conference Vermont College of Fine Arts The Rainier Writing Workshop The Highlights Fo...

In this episode, our picture book musas are discussing the editing and revision process! Ana Siqueira, Hilda Eunice Burgos, and Gloria Amescua chat about edit letters, working with your editors, and the highs and lows of the revision process. If you enjoyed this episode please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! Learn more about Gloria Amescua ’s picture book biography Child of the Fl...

In this episode, Debut Musa and author of DEFINITELY DOMINGUITA Terry Catasus Jennings with fellow Debut Musa and author Alda P. Dobbs of BAREFOOT DREAMS OF PETRA LUNA. They discuss everything from the inspiration behind this middle grade series, Jennings' journey to publishing, favorite parts of the book, and chat about what comes next for Dominguita and Jennings. If you enjoyed this episode, ple...

In this episode we're talking edits and revisions! This month's panel discusses the various types of edits—developmental, line edits, copy edits—timeframes and juggling deadlines with life, and notable high points and struggles of the edit and revisions processes. Resources Mentioned: Episode 1 of Las Musas' Ask A Musa Podcast Series Revising with Julie C. Dao , via PubCrawl If you enjoyed this ep...

In our second Ask A Musa episode, we take listener questions on a variety of subjects including how long it takes to write a novel, when you know a novel is finished, talking finding illustrators for picture books and book covers, and the importance and some tips for marketing. Resources Mentioned: Poppy Magda , cover artist for Laekan Zea Kemp's Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet Children's Illus...

On this special Valentine's Day episode of the Las Musas Podcast, we'll be talking about our favorite picture book, middle grade, and YA novels that feature LOVE! Not just romantic love, but platonic love, love of friends, love of food (our fave!) and yes, that kind of love, too.  Picture Books Mentioned:  The Love Letter by Anika Aldamuy Denise (Author) Lucy Ruth Cummins (Illustrat...

In this episode, we're talking about the often mysterious submission process, how to deal with rejections from editors, and how to stay busy with other projects while you wait for an offer. If you enjoyed this episode please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! Learn more about Gloria Amescua ’s picture book biography Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jimenez Add Ana Siqueira ’s pic...

In this episode, Debut Musa and author of FAT CHANCE, CHARLIE VEGA Crystal Maldonado chats with fellow Debut Musa and author Gabriela Martins of LIKE A LOVE SONG. They discuss Maldonado's journey to publishing, dive into themes and characters in the book, and chat about what comes next. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider buying a book (or a few) to say thanks! Buy Crystal Maldonado 's YA...

In this episode, we're talking about the rollercoaster ride that happens after you find the perfect agent: everything from setting boundaries during the submissions process to what happens when an editor makes an offer! This months' panel discusses pre-empts, auctions, and all the factors that go into choosing the right editor and publisher for your book project. Resources Mentioned: Publisher’s M...

Our first Ask A Musa episode, where we take listener and subscriber questions, focuses on a mixed bag of subjects including maintaining creative habits in challenging times, how white Latines can leverage their privilege in publishing, personalized agent rejections and deciding on agents, and the impact of Prince. Resources Mentioned : Laekan's recs for focus music and ambient noice— A Soft Murmur...

In this episode, picture book authors Gloria Amescua, Donna Barba Higuera, NoNieqa Ramos, and Ana Siqueira discuss their agents, from the querying process to evaluating offers of rep to completing revisions with your agent. This panel discusses a variety of paths to this significant milestone in a writer's career and gives helpful tips on how to make the most of this important relationship. ...

In this episode we're talking all about agents, from the querying process to evaluating offers of rep to completing revisions with your agent. This months' panel discusses a variety of paths to this significant milestone in a writer's career and gives helpful tips on how to make the most of this important relationship. Resources Mentioned: SCBWI Pitch Wars DVPit LatinxPitch Manuscript Academy Publ...

Hi everyone, we are so excited to introduce the latest endeavor from Las Musas, the Las Musas Podcast. Las Musas began in 2018 as a way to connect women and marginalized people whose gender identity aligns with femininity and  who were soon to be traditionally published. What started as a marketing collective meant to uplift marginalized voices evolved to include a mentorship program for aspi...