Episode 57 - Saraciea J. Fennell
Photo Credit: Viscose Illusion
Saraciea Fennell is one of the most laidback guests I've ever had on ReadMore. Talking to her was like talking to an old friend. She edited the new anthology for young adults, Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora, which was published this week. It includes poetry and essays by some big-name writers such as Elizabeth Acevedo, Meg Medina, and Ibi Zoboi along with up-and-coming writers like Khalil Haywood and Janel Martinez.
These pieces tackle lots of meaty topics such as fighting stereotypes, suicide, immigration, and identity. The essays by Black Latinx writers that dealt with their unique struggles in this country were some of the most compelling to me. This community is often overlooked, but Wild Tongues puts Afro-Latinx people front and center. Although this anthology is geared toward young people, adults will find a lot to like here. I found the book to be really enlightening when it came to things such as
Black communities in Latin America and racism and colorism within the Latinx community.
Saraciea (Suh-REE-cee-uh) works as a publicist in the publishing industry, and she is the founder of the literary festival, The Bronx is Reading. She chatted with me virtually from her home in the Bronx.
Interview Highlights:
Saraciea reveals...
- What it was like writing about her own family's issues with colorism (She's a Black Honduran.)
- What she wants people outside of the Latinx community to take away from this anthology
- Why in some cases if she doesn't like a book she'll give the movie a try
Click here to listen to the episode. You can help Saraciea and the show by purchasing the book here.
During the show, Saraciea mentioned a children's book she always keeps on her nightstand. The first listener to contact us on Facebook or Twitter with the right answer will win a free copy of Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora.
If you have won a ReadMore giveaway in the last 90 days, you're ineligible. If you and I ever attended the Grammar Slammer together, you're probably ineligible. ReadMore does not have a friends and family plan. But we'll always have our passing scores on that most important test.
On November 14, a listener reached out to us on Twitter with the right answer and one a free copy of the anthology.