Uncategorized | E. Rowan Mena

Books and Unicorns in Seattle

March 24, 2011 by E. Rowan

I just got back from a week-long trip to Seattle, perfectly timed to completely miss the awesome indie publisher festival that’s going on there right now. Sigh. But the purpose was visiting family, and that was fulfilled. Strangely, at least once a day I happened upon a unicorn. The first day it was wandering up to the new location (well, new since I was there last, two years ago) for Elliott Bay Books. After popping in there, drooling over their […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Elliott Bay Books, Pilot Books, Seattle, travel, unicorns

Pop-up success

March 4, 2011 by E. Rowan

A few nights ago I learned how to make a pop-up card. It’s surprisingly simple, just takes a little math and planning. And then I successfully made this prototype wedding invitation for my aunt. Pretty awesome, no?

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: crafts, handmade

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TRex Conquers the Moon and more

March 3, 2011 by E. Rowan

Just before Christmas I finished and sent off this magnet set I made for a friend who is somewhat invested in the Tyrannosaurus Rex. I’m so proud of it (it took me literally months, but that’s because I was being wishy-washy about it) that I have to share with you: The Adventures of TRex: TRex Goes Snowshoeing TRex Rides the Rooster […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: crafts, handmade, projects, TRex

Ariadna Vásquez Germán (DR Books #F)

February 13, 2011 by E. Rowan

Ariadna Vásquez Germán (1977 -) has two books of poems, Una casa azul (2005) and La palabra sin habla (2007), and a novel Por el desnivel de la acerca (2005). Her stories have been short-listed for the Casa de Teatro Short Story Prize several times. Her work has been translated into English (a short story in Mandorla, 2010 translated by Janet Hendrickson), and included in an anthology of contemporary Dominican women poets, Safo. http://miercolesitinerantesdepoesia.blogspot.com/2008/05/siete-poemas.html http://www.listindiario.com/ventana/2010/6/25/147841/print http://www.listin.com.do/ventana/2011/2/4/176192/Concursos-de-cuentos-Los-pioneros

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Ariadna Vásquez Germán, Dominican Republic, poetry

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Aurora Arias (DR Books #E)

February 13, 2011 by E. Rowan

Aurora Arias (1962-) is a poet and fiction writer, and a member of the “generation of the 80s”. Vivienda de pajaros (poetry, 1986); Piano lila (poetry, 1994); Invi’s Paradise y otros relatos (short stories, 1998) and Fin de mundo y otros relatos (short stories, 2000). Her work is distinctly feminist, and rooted firmly in the urban setting of Santo Domingo (as is true for much of her movement). She is considered one of the most important and interesting writers of […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Aurora Arias, Dominican Republic, poetry

Martha Rivera (DR Books #D)

February 13, 2011 by E. Rowan

Martha Rivera (1960-) is a poet and novelist. One of her novels, I’ve Forgotten Your Name was translated into English by Mary Berg and published by White Pine Press. She belongs to the “generation of the 80s”. She has three books of poetry, which are described as concerned with the “intimate and everyday,” and “closely connected to the body, though the city still occupies an essential space”. Her novel won the Casa de Teatro International Prize in 1995. http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Rivera http://www.cielonaranja.com/rivera.htm

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Dominican Republic, Martha Rivera, poetry

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Soledad Alvarez (DR Books #C)

February 13, 2011 by E. Rowan

Soledad Alvarez (1950-) is a poet and essayist, and part of the “post-war” generation of poets. She has two books of poems, and has edited several anthologies of poems. Her work has been included in anthologies of Caribbean poetry in French and Spanish. Her first book was Vuelo posible (1994), and her second, Las estaciones íntimas (2006), won the 2007 National Prize for Poetry. http://www.baquiana.com/numero_xliii_xliv/S_Po%C3%A9tica_IV.htm http://blog.pucp.edu.pe/item/18538/soledad-alvarez-sus-senas-intimas

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Dominican Republic, poetry, Soledad Alvarez

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Chiqui Vicioso (DR Books #B)

February 13, 2011 by E. Rowan

Chiqui Vicioso (1948-) Between 1981 and 2005, Chiqui Vicioso authored 19 books, including five volumes of poetry; five plays; and six essays on women writers, literature, and education—notably Algo que decir (1992) (Something to Declare). And check out this piece on her single book, trilingual poem published in 2007 which sounds interesting. She’s been anthologized in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese as an important Latina and Caribbean writer. She was given the Anacaona de Oro in Literature and the Gold […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Chiqui Vicioso, Dominican Republic, poetry

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Jeannette Miller (DR Books #A)

February 13, 2011 by E. Rowan

So as I mentioned a few days ago, I’m supplementing the on-the-ground research and study I did in the Dominican because of the after-the-fact realization that I’d fallen into the machismo trap all too willingly. That trap that indicates that you’re not being sexist, there just aren’t any good women writers out there. I balked, resisted, researched, and have very easily found a number of wonderful contemporary Dominican women writers that I’m hoping to acquire books by soon. And here […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: Dominican Republic, Jeannette Miller, poetry

Adrián Javier (DR Books #6)

February 12, 2011 by E. Rowan

El bosque enfrentado by Adrián Javier. Casa de Teatro, 2008. Adrián Javier (1967-) has published eleven books, and received most of the major literary prizes in the Dominican, including the Premio Internacional de Poesía Casa de Teatro twice. He belongs to the generation of poets who started publishing in the 80s, and his poetry bears some resemblance to José Mármol’s – prose, philosophical, hermetic. He doesn’t have much web presence, but in one interview he’s called the “enfant terible” of […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: 80s, Adrián Javier, Dominican Republic, poetry

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E. Rowan Mena

Poet | Book Artist | Translator

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Books and Unicorns in Seattle

Pop-up success

TRex Conquers the Moon and more

Ariadna Vásquez Germán (DR Books #F)

Aurora Arias (DR Books #E)

Martha Rivera (DR Books #D)

Soledad Alvarez (DR Books #C)

Chiqui Vicioso (DR Books #B)

Jeannette Miller (DR Books #A)

Adrián Javier (DR Books #6)