Tag Salamander

Salamander virtual event next week (Spotlight: Danny Lang-Perez)

José Angel Araguz 2 Comments

Hello!

I am happy to share that the next Salamander virtual event happens next Sunday, April 13th @3pm EST via Zoom (see below for more info; register here). In the days leading up to the virtual reading, I am going to do some quick spotlights on our readers. Danny Lang-Perez is first up in the series:

Spotlight: Danny Lang-Perez

We’re thrilled to feature Danny Lang-Perez at our upcoming virtual event. He is a writer whose fiction buzzes with velocity, heart, and hard-earned humor. Their short story “Professionals” (which placed second in our 2024 Fiction Contest) is a love letter to the art of skateboarding, skate rat culture, the gravity of friendship, and the unlikely sanctity of a crumbling skatepark called The Gristle. Here’s a short excerpt:

They call it The Gristle. A fraying, warped-up, wood-ramp-on-asphalt cheapo with shitty drainage because the Homeowner’s Association lobbied against costly concrete and what HOA says goes. The Gristle joneses for kid flesh. The Gristle impales its patrons. The Gristle is big cannibal brother to skate rats of all ages, is pugilistic as fuck, is the only game in town as HOA does not tolerate said rats in the wild.

And next Saturday, The Gristle dies by municipal edict.

Come hear Danny Lang-Perez read at our event—you won’t want to miss the ride!

Join Salamander for a special virtual reading celebrating our latest issue! This event features readings from three exceptional contributors: Marcy Rae Henry, Danny Lang-Perez, & Gabrielle Grace Hogan. Each writer will share selections from their work, offering a glimpse into the powerful poetry and prose featured in our new issue. ASL interpretation will be provided to ensure accessibility for all attendees. We’d love for you to join us in celebrating these incredible voices! This virtual event is free and open to the public.

WHAT: Salamander issue #59 Virtual Reading
WHEN: Sunday, April 13th: 3-4PM EST
WHO: Marcy Rae Henry, Danny Lang-Perez, & Gabrielle Grace Hogan
WHERE: Via Zoom! Register for this event here.
[Note: ASL interpretation will be provided at this event.]

Thank you for reading!

= José =

some highlights, 2023

José Angel Araguz 2 Comments

I am happy to report that I continue to have a hundred percent survival rate. This is a phrase I’ve picked up from my therapist. It shook me the first time she said it. The acknowledgment of still being here despite the struggles and setbacks over the years hit like a punch in the gut. That still being here is an accomplishment, something to build on, not just the frayed edges of just enough.

Here’s to keeping that up, all of us.

As the year wraps up, here are some things I’m proud to have produced or helped produce from the year:

First and foremost, I am proud to have my lyric memoir, Ruin & Want (Sundress Publications), out in the world! Thank you to everyone who has gotten a copy and spent time with it. I appreciate all the kind words folks have shared.

It was a hard project to get out, but a necessary one (I spoke at length of what this project entailed in an interview with Sundress Publications).

This book is a testament to that hundred percent survival rate that I spoke of above. More than anything I hope it helps people.

Also, I am honored to have helped bring into the world this powerful e-chapbook by Maria S. Picone, Water Gwisin Saves the Earth. Picone was selected as the 2023 Louisa Solano Memorial Emerging Poet Award winner over at Salamander. Such a great poet, such a great collection of poems. I encourage folks to check it out.

I am also happy to be serving on the Advisory Editorial Board over at Swing who put out their first issue this year! Proud to see them put together a dynamic issue!

Lastly, I am happy to have published a review of Dream of Xibalba by Stephanie Adams-Santos over at Lambda Literary Review. This book invites an open approach with one’s own lyric sensibility. Surprise that a book about the Mayan underworld is a trip.

Biggest highlight is still being alive.

Hope folks are staying safe out there!

Abrazos,

José