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BOOK NOTES

NM poet laureate receives fellowship

Manuel González receives $50,000 to expand poetry workshops and performances in tribal and rural communities statewide

Manuel González, the poet laureate of New Mexico, has been named a Poet Laureate Fellow by the Academy of American Poets.
Published

POET LAUREATE FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT

Manuel González, the poet laureate of New Mexico, has been named a Poet Laureate Fellow by the Academy of American Poets.

The fellowship, which comes with a $50,000 stipend, is one of 22 the academy is providing this year with support from the Mellon Foundation.

González plans to use the funds to expand his Voces de la Tierra initiative.

The initiative brings spoken-word performances, writing workshops, community storytelling and open mic opportunities to tribal nations, rural communities, libraries and schools throughout New Mexico.

Central to the project is a cohort of six young Indigenous poets who will serve as youth poetry ambassadors.

Traveling the state with González, the youth poetry ambassadors will share their work, engage local youth and demonstrate “the power of poetry as a tool of cultural expression, identity, healing and connection.”

González said the project will amplify underrepresented voices, increase access to the literary arts, and promote meaningful connections across New Mexico’s diverse communities.

González is the author of three compilations of poetry. He teaches creative writing, journalism and public speaking at the Native American Community Academy, a charter high school in Albuquerque.

González’s position as New Mexico Poet Laureate runs through 2028. He served as Albuquerque Poet Laureate from 2016-2018.

His website is .

AT TWO ALBUQUERQUE BOOKSTORES

James C. Wilson will present his new book “Fire and Ice at World’s End” at two Albuquerque bookstores.

James C. Wilson

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, he will be signing copies of the book at Page 1 Books, Mountain Run Shopping Center, 5850 Eubank Blvd. NE.

At 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, Wilson will be talking about the book at Books on the Bosque, 6261 Riverside Plaza Lane NW.

The book, subtitled “A Fernando Lopez Santa Fe Mystery,” is the latest in Wilson’s long-running series.

In the story, federal agents arrive in Santa Fe to begin detaining and deporting those suspected of being immigrants.

In response, protesters take to the streets. Then counter-protesters are out showing their support for immigration control.

One vigilante group becomes violent, firebombing businesses that employ immigrants.

The situation goes from bad to worse: A gunman begins shooting at the homes of City Council candidates who welcome immigrants to Santa Fe.

Wilson is emeritus professor of English and journalism at the University of Cincinnati. He lives in Albuquerque.

AT BOOKS ON THE BOSQUE

Monica Rodriguez will discuss “Eat the Rich: Stories of Carnivorous Anti-Capitalism” which she co-edited, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.

It is billed as a horror anthology. The other co-editor is Elrik Gumeny.

Books on the Bosque is located at 6261 Riverside Plaza Lane NW.