I am a Mexican-American writer. I was born and raised in Mexico. I live and work in the US. My entire career has developed in the US (minus a few unforgettable sabbaticals in Italy and Mexico).
When in English, I speak and write with an American accent.
My novel Arribada tells the story of a girl who falls in love with Mexican sea turtles but, most importantly, with the girl who takes care of them. None of them is British, nor does this happen in the UK.
Arribada is coming out with Cynren, a small press in Pennsylvania, US.
Apparently I do not have a lot of connections to Nottingham.
I am grateful I one day scrolled Facebook and found out that the Queer the Shelves book fest would take place after a 2 year hiatus and that it was inviting authors to participate. So I signed up.
Still, what am I doing attending the Queer the Shelves LGBT+ Book Fest in Nottingham?
You could say I want to honor my great-grandfather Henry Collard, who migrated from England to Mexico in the second half of the nineteenth century—apparently he needed sunnier climates. I could visit my relatives resting in peace at Westminster Cathedral.
I could visit some of Sarah Waters’ locations: there is Tipping the Velvet’s Whitstable; Camberwell and the Old Bailey in The Paying Guests. Perhaps even Affinity’s Millbank Prison.
More to the point, in Nottingham I could enjoy many a laugh with Rosie Wilby; I could make sure I won’t tell Emma Who to love; I could listen to Melissa’s Secret of you and me; I could approach Ileandra, Dead or alive; sing in the dark with Matt; watch Robyn unroll the copper scroll; beware of Michelle’s Girls with guns; watch out, lest I become one of Julie’s Alien Claimed. I would escape from Fury’s Death with Brey, spend Sleepless nights with Iona; I could get Genre fluid with Dan or experience Love on location with Margaux. I could even risk a Highland fling with Anna (though my wife does not approve), see love endure across space with Valden. Perhaps AJ’s Helion Band can help me survive Maggie’s Heatwave. Will I be Thom’s Smart Mouthed Victim? Fly on Rebecca’s Fragile wings? Am I among Lyn’s Willing?
One thing I know, as MA has assured me: after this weekend I will Never be the same.
Estela González will be at the Queer the Shelves LGBTQ Book Festival in Nottingham. Come along!
book events, Estela Gonzalez, lesbian writers, lgbtq, literary festival, nottingham, queer the shelves
