Welcome to another Author Spotlight! These spotlights are for showcasing author’s (predominantly women and people of color) writing talents and published works. As you may or may not know, I do themed weeks of prominent holidays/events throughout the year on my site. Every time I do these I always feature other authors (usually ones of color and women). And for Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month I am trying to feature authors who have Latinx and/or Hispanic backgrounds. So without further ado let’s get on with the Author Spotlight!
About the Author:
Alexandra Szoenyi is a professional writer from San Francisco, with over 600 published articles, in publications including HipLatina, BELatina (where she is a Fashion and Beauty Editor), the San Francisco Examiner, and The Bold Italic. She is also a published poet, with work in BoldLatina, The Minison Project, and The Baram House, where is a Poet in Residence. Alex also co-founded the Latina Writers Book Club, and curates and sells vintage books at Old Souls Club Books.
What and when started your love for writing?
I’ve always been a writer, even as a little kid. I was always obsessed with books and reading, and making up songs and poems. Writing is how I express myself, and get across how I feel, and what I want to say.
Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?
I am interested in writing mainly chick-lit, contemporary fiction, and historical fiction. I also love great essay and short story books, and would like to also see my poetry in book form. I’m really just starting to get my feet wet with fiction writing, but I’m an old soul, so I’m drawn to decades like the ‘40s, vintage fashion, Old Hollywood, and the like, and can see that becoming a story, or several.
If you could meet your favorite Latinx/Hispanic author, who would it be and why?
I would have loved to have met Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He was such a prolific writer, an icon in Colombia and the rest of Latin America, and found (or created) the magic in life.
How has your Latinx/Hispanic background and culture shaped what you write and how you write?
Being Colombian-American has taught me to write the best of what I have to offer. To go for excellence, to speak from my heart, and to proudly shout out my culture. There is a legacy of amazing Colombian writers, and I want to be a part of that legacy.
What book do you think everyone should read is based (or inspired by) around Latinx/
Hispanic culture?
I’m so bad at defining a favorite anything, or narrowing down things to one option lol. I would say to read a variety of Latinx literature from as many different points of view and countries as possible. We are not a monolith, and there are such beautiful variety and complexity in our narratives, histories, and identities.
What makes your book(s)/writing special?
That’s a tricky question. Everyone’s writing is unique, and at the same time isn’t, right? I It’s my voice, my heart, my life. There are so many writers out there, and they could all tell the same story. But they would each say it in the own way. That uniqueness matters.
So…what are you working on now?
I’m working on learning the craft of fiction writing. I want to start with short stories and submitting those for publication, and of course continue with my poetry writing.
Thank you Alexandra for stopping by to have an interview with me. I can’t wait to see where you writing journey continues to take you. You can get in contact or connect with Alexandra through her:
Live. Love. Laugh.
Thank you all for reading and remember:
