Introducing Books & Más
A weekly dispatch of literary news and updates, from and for the Latinx community.
Welcome
Hi! If you’re new here, I’m MG — writer, reader, and founder of Nuevoautor, a space born out of a love for books and a belief that Hispanic voices are unique.
This newsletter is my latest project: a weekly dispatch on the Latinx literary world — what’s happening, what’s being overlooked, and what’s worth reading, resharing, and resisting. Here, you’ll find news, upcoming events, grants, resources — and every now and then, some literary gossip or a meme to lighten the mood.
What you won’t find here? Book recs. I already publish those every Sunday (in Spanish!). You can check out my latest reviews here.
If this sounds like your thing, stick around. And if you think it’s interesting or useful, feel free to share it.
Gracias.
For starters: why?
Latinos are the largest minority group in the U.S., making up nearly 20% of the population. And yet, we remain dramatically underrepresented in publishing — only about 5% of books published are written by Latinx authors. That gap isn’t just a lack of opportunity. It’s a distortion of the cultural landscape.
At the same time, we’re watching policies grow increasingly hostile. The Trump-led GOP is doubling down on xenophobic narratives, painting Latinx communities as dangerous — or, even worse, disposable.
So yes, this newsletter is about the literary industry.
But it’s also about people — and about how reading, writing, and publishing — especially now — can be acts of resistance.
The basics: Hispanic vs Latin vs Latinx
Hispanic refers to Spanish-speaking countries or heritage. It includes Spain, but excludes Brazil and other non-Spanish-speaking countries.
Latino/a refers to Latin America as a geographic and cultural region. It includes Mexico, Brazil, the Caribbean, Central America, and the rest of the South American countries. It excludes Spain. It’s also gendered: latino (male), latina (female).
Latinx is a gender-neutral (and controversial) alternative to Latino/a, mostly used in the U.S., especially in academic, activist, or media spaces.
Language is never neutral. These terms are charged, personal, and often political. Not everyone agrees on what to use. I stay curious, ask people what they prefer, and aim for precision when it matters.
Change is constant. Personally, I’m open to shifting my language depending on the context and the connotation a specific community prefers.
Every week, I’ll share some bits and pieces of what I think is relevant for the Latinx Literary space. If you think I’ve missed anything or you have anything you’d like to share, do not hesitate to reach out!
Let’s dive into what’s been happening this week:
News
Mario Vargas Llosa (1936–2025)
The Peruvian Nobel laureate passed away this month. Love him or loathe him, he was a titan. For better or worse, many readers across Latin America first encountered “serious” literature through his work. Read more about him here.
Bilingual Poetry Reading in… Kentucky?
Yes, exactly that. The University of Kentucky hosted a bilingual poetry night that celebrated Spanish-language literature in unexpected places. I’m obsessed with this, and now I want to host an event like this one.
I think literary translation is an art form in itself. Read this article to learn more.
New Imprint for Latinx Authors
Simon & Schuster, one of the 5 biggest publishing houses in the world, just launched a new imprint focused on Hispanic writers. Primero Sueño is an imprint under Atria. Will this move uplift fresh voices, or replicate old publishing dynamics with a new label? More here.
Upcoming Events & Resources
Bold Voices: Latin American Writers in Conversation — May 3rd, NYC.
This Saturday in New York City, four brilliant women will come together to explore the literary moment Latin America is experiencing right now. I'm trying my hardest to make it (attendance still TBD!). But if you're in NYC, you shouldn’t miss this.
Santa Fe International Literary Festival — May 16-18.
A celebration of global storytelling. This event brings together renowned authors, emerging voices, and passionate readers in an outstanding schedule of readings, panels, workshops, and conversations around books and ideas. More info here.
PEN/Bare Life Review Grants: for Immigrant and Refugee Writers
PEN America is offering two grants of $5,000 each to support immigrant and refugee writers working on unpublished literary projects. The project must be in English or translated. Submissions are open until June 1, 2025. More info here.
👩🏽💻 One Last Thing...
I’m just starting with Books & más — and I would love for you to be part of this space and help me grow it into something meaningful.
If today’s post has been helpful, interesting, or only just refreshing, please share it with a friend, post it on Instagram, or simply reply and say hi. I’ll truly appreciate it (and you!).
Thanks for reading and being here.
Next week: a small rant about the “Hispanic” and “Foreign Languages” sections at Barnes & Noble.
— MG