Book Birthday Blog with Isabel Estrada

 

 

Welcome to SCBWI-MI's Book Birthday Blog!

Where we celebrate new books from Michigan's authors, illustrators and translators.

 

Congratulations to Isabel Estrada on the release of La Mariachi

 

Congratulations on your debut picture book! How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Inspiration came from many sources, but the genesis for this story sprang from my love of music–it’s who I am at my core. I wanted to write a story about one of my favorite musical genres, mariachi. Mariachi in all its different styles tugs at my heartstrings and stirs up memories of home—a nirvana of nostalgia for my family and community. I recalled that the children’s mariachi group in our city was open to boys only (this practice changed in the 1980s). I began by brainstorming phrases that described how I/Tuchi felt when I/she listened to mariachi. Imagery, metaphors, and similes flowed through my pen. Musicality and sonority were key factors in deciding which lines to keep.
 
This story is set in the 1970s. Tuchi, the hero, shares my enthusiasm for music: con todo su corazon. She faces the gender discrimination in her life and bullying at school with perseverance and positivity. A second inspiration that gave birth to this story is personal. When I grew up, we didn’t see Mexican and Mexican-American/Latinx characters in children’s literature nor in mainstream media. Personally, I do not recall reading any story or book about Mexican or Latinx cultures in all my public schooling—and I could safely say the same of the humanities canon at the college level. We didn’t exist except for a few stereotypes on TV and film. Only recently, have we had more representation on the bookshelves. I became inspired to write a story where Latinx children (Mexican-American, in this case) could see someone like themselves on the page.

What is something you hope your readers will take away from your book?

We need to find what inspires us and pursue that passion with all our being. Be bold. Be brave. Give it everything you’ve got and be creative! Another takeaway is to lean on others for support. None of us got to where we are on our own. Those are my takeaways—I’d love to hear what my young readers feel after reading LA MARIACHI.   

What inspires you to write?

I love words, images, and movement, and I’ve always loved a good story. My efforts as a writer, humble as they are, were inspired by all the greats on the bookshelf. Another great source is the people all around us. Human beings are complex beings wrapped up in emotions on the move, the highs and lows ever-changing. Oh, and animals, too (My two gatitos have inspired their share of stories.). Also, I’m blessed to be a member of two SCBWI-related critique groups that keep me going, and I’ve had the privilege of working with a few SCBWI-related consultants—true gems. I like to think we inspire each other to dig deeper and discover the veins of rich clay in the muck. Then, we gather our raw materials, spin-shape-and-mold, and fire up that story like no one else can.  

What are your marketing plans for the book and where can we find it?

Marketing is a new area for me--My first steps in social media have been daunting (new author pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, etc.). It takes skill and tech knowledge to get a successful promotional venture off the ground running. I reached out to our SCBWI-Michigan community to get the help I needed, and the response was incredible! I look forward to making new connections in this area. I’m also fortunate that my publisher, Sleeping Bear Press, does a fabulous job promoting their authors. There is so much to learn as a debut author—I’m taking it slowly so I won’t get overwhelmed. I think it’s important to enjoy this part of the journey. You can find my book where books are sold: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. You can help support our local indie bookstore in Kalamazoo and my pre-order partner: this is a bookstore/Bookbug, by ordering a signed copy of LA MARIACHI.

What's next for you?

My hope is to find a publisher for my next book. My desktop is filled with completed manuscripts—many more picture books and three middle grade novels—ready for submission. Agents—here I come! I’d love to work with an agent or editor who believes in me and will support my journey as a writer. In the meantime, my plan is to share Tuchi’s story with the rest of the world. I love her story! My dream is that children will be moved by reading and re-reading the pages Addy and I have knitted together (Addy Rivera Sonda, illustrator.). You can hear more about my story at my debut book launch party at Bookbug in Kalamazoo, Tuesday, August 1, 5pm. Please drop by if you’re in the area! Until then. . . ¡Sigamos soñando! 

More about the book . . .

More than anything, Tuchi longs to be a mariachi. However, when her teacher, Mr. Sanchez, announces he’s starting a mariachi group he tells her “It’s only for boys.”
 
But shouldn’t music belong to everyone?
 
When Tuchi shares her dream with her nana, she learns she’s not the first girl to be told she cannot be a mariachi. The two of them come up with a plan to make Tuchi’s dream come true. 

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

More about the author . . . 

Isabel grew up in the desert borderlands of Arizona, dancing and singing her way through life. Always a dreamer, she blends her life experiences as a performing arts educator with her love of Mexican-American culture & folklore into stories. When she’s not writing, she loves to dance, cook, read, daydream, and play with her two gatitos, Dante and Cosmo. She also loves her volunteer work for SCBWI-Michigan as Outreach Coordinator and K.A.S.T. Co-Coordinator (A shout-out to my KAST friends—Where everyone’s a star!)  LA MARIACHI is her debut storybook!

Isabel would like to remind everyone that her author name is Isabel Estrada.

Facebook: Isabel Estrada Author

Instagram: isabelestradaauthor

Twitter: isabelohagin

Website coming soon!