Online Latinx Symposium 2021: An In-Community Celebration of ¡DRAMA!

TYPE & LENGTH:

Online symposium centered on celebrating our Latinx community and stories

• Two weeks of pre-recorded and LIVE Zoom sessions.
• Virtual classroom with peer and faculty interaction.
• Recorded sessions release on Thursdays, October 21 & 28.
• Small group sessions (6pm Eastern) and LIVE lectures (7pm Eastern) on Wednesdays, October 20 & 27.
• Small group sessions (6pm Eastern), and LIVE lectures (6pm Eastern) on Sundays, October 24 & 31.
• Optional 1:1 sessions for written feedback and Zoom consultations at an additional charge. (Scheduled at a mutually convenient time with faculty.)

PARTICIPANT CAP:

35

WHY THIS WORKSHOP?

In this symposium, Latinx children’s book creators will gather online in community for an exploration of identities, craft, the business of publishing and more. We will tap into the interior landscape of our personal drama – however we define that—and seek to upend tired and narrow stereotypes and tropes of Latinidad. Our guiding light will be our amor propio, our self-love and knowing that we serve children.

We celebrate this self-love in the face of daily messages that say: we are loud; we have big personalities and emotions; we have tempers; we are drama kings and queens; we are too much. So, we code-switch when moving in non-Latinx spaces. We talk more quietly, dress more discreetly, smooth down or straighten our hair. Too much ¡Drama! can cause others to discount us. Too much drama means we aren’t taken seriously.

What if our flair for bold and loud and emotional were not seen as a paper-thin stereotype, a telenovela, a single story—but as an integral part of how we create? A special gift of knowing how to move people to tears, rumble the ground under their feet, change their minds?

¡Drama! is who we are— a multitude of countries, races and identities making art for children to see all their selves—quiet, loud, colorful, subdued, kings, queens and every self in-between. It is time to celebrate our ¡Drama! at the 2021 Online Latinx Symposium.

The online symposium includes LIVE sessions with keynotes, creative exercises and small group sessions. The pre-recorded resources include lectures, creative exercises, and prompts.

Watch some of the faculty talking about Identity during our September #HFGather, where the panelists shared a wealth of resources for Latinx authors and illustrators, and ways for educators, librarians, booksellers, and other members of the Kidlit community to amplify Latinx voices during this month and throughout the year. Find clips and the full Gather here.

IT’S A GREAT FIT IF:

• You identify as part of the Latinx diaspora. This program is designed to be an exchange of ideas and a place to connect in community. You want to learn more about the conversations that are happening in the Latinx space – and you want to bring your voice and experience to the table.
• You write or illustrate picture books, chapter books, novels, and/or nonfiction. This program is open to all Latinx kidlit creatives regardless of genre or age you are creating for.
• You enjoy an online learning experience. This online experience is best suited for creatives looking to learn and engage remotely with self-paced recorded resources and live engaging sessions.
• You are looking for a community that will help you build a sustainable writing life.

COMMITMENT REQUIRED FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE:

Watching released content prior to live opportunities will help you engage in the discussions each week. Attending the live sessions each week and participating in the small group sessions will build your creative practice and engagement. If you can’t attend live, no problem. You will have access to all recorded materials through December 31, 2021.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

Pre-Workshop:
During the registration process, we will ask you to respond to a few questions so we can gather information about small group sessions.

Approximately three days prior to the start of your online course you will be asked to register in our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself and review pre-course materials.

Week One:
Pre-Recorded video in Canvas Classroom

Intention Setting with NoNieqa Ramos *Please watch this video before attending the opening live session.

Wednesday, October 20
Live via Zoom

• 6pm Eastern: Facilitated Small Group Meeting: Overview of how small group works; split into two groups
• 7pm Eastern: Welcome from Alex Villasante & Mia García, followed by Keynote Presentation by Maika & Maritza Moulite: Save the Drama for Your Mama: Exploring Familial Relationships in Your Writing

Thursday, October 21
Pre-Recorded video in Canvas Classroom

• Creative exercise
• Keynote Presentation by Ernesto Cisneros: Breaking Through: A Publishing Journey Through a Latinx Lens

Sunday, October 24
Live on Zoom

• 5pm Eastern: Facilitated small group meeting
• 6pm Eastern: The Author /Illustrator relationship with NoNieqa Ramos and Jacqueline Alcantara

Week Two:
Wednesday, October 27
Live via Zoom

• 6pm Eastern: Facilitated small group meeting
• 7pm Eastern: The Business of Publishing: A conversation with Agent Jen Rofé and Editor Shelly Romero

Thursday, October 28
Pre-Recorded video in Canvas Classroom

• Creative exercise
• Keynote Presentation by Hilda Burgos: Embracing Your Authentic Self–and Making Readers Care About Your Story

Sunday, October 31
Live Via Zoom

• 5pm Eastern: Facilitated small group meeting
• 6pm Eastern: Brujeria – Live office hour with available faculty
• Bonus: Creative exercise in the classroom

Please note: special guests Hilda Eunice Burgos and Ernesto Cisneros will not be attending the workshop “live,” but we will be sharing pre-recorded sessions from them.

HOW THIS WORKSHOP IMPACTS KIDS:

All kids deserve to see themselves and their families reflected in the books they read. This workshop, part of our Essential Conversations series, helps to support and amplify the voices of ALL storytellers.

HIGHLIGHTS FOUNDATION RESOURCES AND FAQS FOR WORKSHOPS:

• Why do we mention how workshops impact kids? Learn about the Highlights Foundation mission.
• COVID Reschedule/Refund Policy
  What’s the difference between Highlights Foundation workshop types?
• Trying to figure out how this course fits into your schedule? Read some ideas about planning for the right level of commitment.
• A note about workshop agendas and how they change and evolve.
• Nervous about critiques? See how the Highlights Foundation approaches the process here.

RELATED RESOURCES:

Las Musas are Latinx authors and illustrators whose racial, ethnic, and cultural identities are as diverse as their writing. Meet them at http://lasmusasbooks.com.

Latinx in Kid Lit explores the world of Latinx YA, MG and children’s literature.

Latinx Kidlit Book Festival, a virtual celebration of Latinx KidLit authors, illustrators, and books.

TheLatinoAuthor.com provides a platform for Latino writers / Hispanic writers, Latino authors / Hispanic authors, and All readers to come together around the world.

The Latina Book Club website features interviews, book reviews, excerpts, book of the month, books of the year, and more.

Latinx in Publishing is a network of book professionals committed to supporting and increasing the number of Latino/a/x in the publishing industry, as well as promoting literature by, for, and about Latino/a/x people.

La Bloga, The world’s longest-established Chicana Chicano, Latina Latino literary blog.

FROM OUR COMMUNITY:

“All of the faculty was knowledgeable, informative, and helpful in the development of my as a writer and creative in the Latinx community.”

“The faculty all were so AMAZING! I am crushing and loving their brilliance and generosity. I especially love the humor and honesty that they used to shared the content with us.”

“I love meeting the faculty! I appreciated all the guests that they curated throughout the symposium. This really helped to demystify the writing/publishing process.”