Month: April 2023

Behind the Scenes with David Estringel, author of Digging for Lost Temples

David talks to us about the complexity of embracing one’s heritage as an adult, after a life of youthful denial.

David Estringel is a Xicanx writer/poet with works published in literary publications, such as The Opiate, Azahares, Cephalorpress, Lahar, Poetry Ni, DREICH, Rigorous, Somos en escrito, Hispanecdotes, Ethel, The Milk House, Beir Bua Journal, and The Blue Nib. David received his BA in English at the University of Texas at Brownsvile and his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Currently, he is a graduate student, working on a PhD in English (World Literature), as well as a Graduate Instructor at Texas A&M-Commerce. His first collection of poetry and short fiction Indelible Fingerprints (Alien Buddha Press) was published in April 2019, followed his second and third poetry collections Blood Honey (Anxiety Press) and Cold Comfort House (Anxiety Press) in 2022. David has written five poetry chapbooks, Punctures (2019), PeripherieS (2020), Eating Pears on the Rooftop (2022), Golden Calves (coming March 2023), and Blue (coming September 2023). His new book of micro poetry little punctures, a collaboration with UK illustrator, Luca Bowles, will be released in 2023. David is also EIC at The Argyle Literary Magazine, as well as at Texas A&M’s literary magazine The Mayo Review (both launches scheduled for early 2023). Connect with David on Twitter @The_Booky_Man and his website www.davidaestringel.com.

Prose Poetry: Digging for Lost Temples by David Estringel

“Thumbing through The Borderlands, I can’t help but feel not “brown” enough. I’m Mexican Lite. Got a case of the “coconuts”. There are no rageful battle-cries inflaming this breast. No bitterness lingering on the tip of the tongue (the back of hands and the starch of white collars taste just the same no matter the bearer’s color). No tortured soul, longing for identity and re-appropriation. Just me and this suit of rosy-beige meat that touts my value best in the dead of winter.”

David Estringel is a Xicanx writer/poet with works published in literary publications, such as The Opiate, Azahares, Cephalorpress, Lahar, Poetry Ni, DREICH, Rigorous, Somos en escrito, Hispanecdotes, Ethel, The Milk House, Beir Bua Journal, and The Blue Nib. David received his BA in English at the University of Texas at Brownsvile and his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Currently, he is a graduate student, working on a PhD in English (World Literature), as well as a Graduate Instructor at Texas A&M-Commerce. His first collection of poetry and short fiction Indelible Fingerprints (Alien Buddha Press) was published in April 2019, followed his second and third poetry collections Blood Honey (Anxiety Press) and Cold Comfort House (Anxiety Press) in 2022. David has written five poetry chapbooks, Punctures (2019), PeripherieS (2020), Eating Pears on the Rooftop (2022), Golden Calves (coming March 2023), and Blue (coming September 2023). His new book of micro poetry little punctures, a collaboration with UK illustrator, Luca Bowles, will be released in 2023. David is also EIC at The Argyle Literary Magazine, as well as at Texas A&M’s literary magazine The Mayo Review (both launches scheduled for early 2023). Connect with David on Twitter @The_Booky_Man and his website www.davidaestringel.com.

Behind the Scenes with Larissa Freitas, author of Benca

In today’s episode we talk about telling people you love them while they are still here with you, the importance of grandparents, and the healing properties of a good chicken in duck sauce.

Larissa Freitas (She/Her) is a Latina poet from João Pessoa, Brazil. She writes because she believes in the transformative power of literature. Her poems have been published in English and Portuguese. You can follow her work on Instagram at

Poetry: Benca by Larissa Freitas

So it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to talk about the deep love we have for people, but if you are looking for a pure ode to the love of a grandma, this week’s episode is for you.

Larissa Freitas (She/Her) is a Latina poet from João Pessoa, Brazil. She writes because she believes in the transformative power of literature. Her poems have been published in English and Portuguese. You can follow her work on Instagram at

Behind the Scenes with Mateo Omar, author of My Quiet Telemetry

Is it a sin to eat mac and cheese and Pozole in the same sitting? Get the answer to this question and more in this hard-hitting episode. Spoiler: Teresa liked this poem so much she was pretty much incoherent in her acceptance, but tried to do better in the actual interview.

Mateo Omar is a writer, poet, and artist currently based in San Diego county, California. So far his writing has been published in Mixed Mag, Gypsophila Zine, and Rise Up Review. He can be found on Instagram @arachnidoll.

Poetry: My Quiet Telemetry by Mateo Omar

“In my quiet telemetry, I send

The kind of invitations I’d want to receive

And the kind of warnings I’d ignore

Embedded deep in me

Occipital, parietal, frontal

And now lacrimal

Power sources

With no twin resonance in sight”

Mateo Omar is a writer, poet, and artist currently based in San Diego county, California. So far his writing has been published in Mixed Mag, Gypsophila Zine, and Rise Up Review. He can be found on Instagram @arachnidoll.

Behind the Scenes with Christiane Williams-Vigil, author of Me Casa es Su Casa

What does a freak snow storm and a 24-hour writing contest have in common? Both were seeds that sprouted this ultra-hopeful story. And if you enjoy stories that keep Chekhov’s theory about guns in mind, you’re going to love this episode.

Christiane Williams-Vigil is a Xicana writer from El Paso, Texas. Nationality wise she identifies as Mexican-American. Her work has been published in various literary magazines such as Marias at Sampaguitas, Chismosa Press, Fatal Flaw Literary Magazine, and Marshall University’s Movable Project. Currently, she is a Best of the Net nominee and contributing staff writer for Alebrijes Review. This story was previously published in a local community college’s annual literary anthology.

Fiction: Me Casa es Su Casa by Christiane Williams-Vigil

Why would you drive during a freak snowstorm in Texas? If you’re Christiane Williams-Vigil, the answer is that the person did it for love.

Christiane Williams-Vigil, is a Xicana writer from El Paso, Texas. Her work has been published in various literary magazines such as Marias at Sampaguitas, Chismosa Press, Fatal Flaw Literary Magazine, and Marshall University’s Movable Project. Currently, she is a Best of the Net nominee and contributing staff writer for Alebrijes Review. This story was previously published in a local community college’s annual literary anthology.

Behind the Scenes with Tak Erzinger, author of Lenguaje Resonante | Echoing Language and Amplexus

If you enjoyed the way Tak wove the deeply personal with the natural world in her two poems, you’re going to love hearing how she came to write them. And if you’re looking to purchase her book Tourist, which published on April 11, 2023, you can do so at ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or at ⁠⁠Sea Crow Press.⁠⁠

TAK Erzinger is an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Colombian background. Her poetry has been featured in Bien Acompañada from Cornell University, The Muse from McMaster University, River And South Review, The Welter, and more. Her debut chapbook, Found: Between The Trees was published by Grey Border Books, Canada 2019. Erzinger’s most recent poetry collection, At The Foot Of The Mountain, Floricanto Press, California 2021, has been announced by the University of Indianapolis, Etchings Press as the Whirling Prize winner for 2021 for best nature poetry book. Her first audio drama, Stella’s Constellation, was produced by Alternative Stories And Fake Realities Podcasts, out of the UK.

Poetry: Lenguaje Resonante | Echoing Language and Amplexus by Tak Erzinger

“Yo hablo, yo hablo así, you hablo así, en mi corozón…

When I began to speak, I parroted

Mariposas instead of butterflies

and they appeared to be tropical

but I realised I was landlocked and

it was winter with dusty snowflakes…”

Tak reads two poems from Tourist, her latest book of poetry. You can purchase a copy of Tourist at Amazon and at Sea Crow Press.

TAK Erzinger is an American/Swiss poet and artist with a Colombian background. Her poetry has been featured in Bien Acompañada from Cornell University, The Muse from McMaster University, River And South Review, The Welter, and more. Her debut chapbook, Found: Between The Trees was published by Grey Border Books, Canada 2019. Erzinger’s most recent poetry collection, At The Foot Of The Mountain, Floricanto Press, California 2021, has been announced by the University of Indianapolis, Etchings Press as the Whirling Prize winner for 2021 for best nature poetry book. Her first audio drama, Stella’s Constellation, was produced by Alternative Stories And Fake Realities Podcasts, out of the UK.