Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jose Chavez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jose, thanks for joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

When I used to take my third-grade bilingual students to the school library, I noticed that there were few books of children’s poetry, especially bilingual poetry. Before I finished my teaching career of thirty-five years, I decided to become a writer of children’s poetry. I seriously began to write poetry in 2012 and believed that there was a great need for quality books in schools and there would always be a market for bilingual books that would benefit students, parents, and teachers.

At the age of seven, I had written a poem in my second-grade class that got my teacher’s attention. She took me to the principal, who read it for the whole school. At that moment, I learned about the power of the written word as well as the spoken word. I wrote poetry off and on through my school years and in college, but after I married, my focus was on my wife, three children, and my teaching career.

I was influenced by a talented poet and writer, Francisco X.Alarcón. He had written four bilingual poetry books for children but sadly passed away in 2015. I realized I could sit around and be sad and do nothing or continue writing my poetry with a view to publishing the bilingual manuscript I was working on. My first bilingual poetry book, Little Stars and Cactus, Estrellitas y Nopales was published soon after I retired as a bilingual teacher in 2016. My second book, Dancing Fruit, Singing
Rivers, Baila la Fruta, Cantan los Ríos was published in 2020. Both won awards from the International Latino Book Awards.

Jose, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a bilingual Chicano, and my ancestry includes Mescalero Apache and Kewa Pueblo. I was born in New Mexico and raised mainly in Venice, CA, from the age of nine. My mother knew the struggles and pain that came with having to leave school by eighth grade to work on the ranch, as my grandfather believed in education for boys, not for girls. She understood that education was critical for our growing family to escape poverty and the despair that comes with it. Along with my stepfather, she ensured that all the children in our large family would graduate high school and lead successful lives here in California. Many of us have gone on to college as well.

.What I thought poetry was as a student in school had changed over the years. I learned the craft of writing poetry by attending writing groups in our local area, signing up for writing workshops led by skilled authors, reading my poetry at Open Mic events, and having several poems published in various journals. I studied how to write and publish a book by researching publishing online, listening to panel discussions about writing and publishing, and subscribing to craft journals like Poets & Writers and Writer’s Digest. I also joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In 2016, I found an online publishing company that published my book the following year.

As an author, educator, and consultant, I offer poetry readings for school classrooms and events like Latino Heritage, Cinco de Mayo, Poetry Poetry Writing for Students, and Open House. I teach Workshops for Parents, including Education for Parents, Healthy Eating for Families, and Quality Literature for Your Child. I also teach a Writing for Children Workshop online.

My work experience includes teaching in New Mexico for eight years, 27 years in CA, and being a Mentor Teacher at Moreno Valley Unified School District, a presenter at bilingual conferences, and an English as a Second Language Facilitator sets me apart from others. My ability to connect with students, parents, teachers, and community organizations is also a plus.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m most proud of my work as it exemplifies my mission in life. Writing quality books is not a job, a new career, or a hobby. It isn’t designed to simply keep me “busy” after retirement as a teacher. My mission is to help students learn to read and write in two languages, and bilingual poetry has the rhythm and repetition that students need to achieve this. There is an increase in the number of dual language classes nationwide, and my books have become part of that important process.

My second book, Dancing Fruit Singing Rivers, features themes about healthy eating for families and taking care of “Mother Earth.” Both books are designed to positively impact the reader with individual poems about the Latino family, the value of friendship, animals that live with us, and the impact of the stars and planets. Students learning a new language, parents reading to their children, and second language teachers will all benefit from my work.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

There are several things I’ve used to grow my clientele. The first item was to ask essential questions about my books: What are my books designed to do, and who am I writing for?
How will they benefit by purchasing my books?
Where is the market for my books, and where do I sell them?
What types of advertising shall I use to sell them?

My books are designed to help children in dual language programs learn to read and write in either or both languages. I’m writing mainly for students, parents, and teachers. However, people who are not bilingual will purchase my book for their grandchild who is being taught Spanish by one parent. Many of my friends and Facebook followers are teachers and are glad to purchase my books. Some customers are also poetry lovers attracted to the colorful Mexican-style artwork and poetry.

My market is people, and I go where I can find them. This includes schools, libraries, book fairs, bookstores, holiday fairs/events, and local, state, and out-of-state bilingual teacher conferences. Signing up to do presentations, panel discussions, and public readings (Open Mic) events is also beneficial. Clubs and organizations include churches, women’s clubs, and community centers for seniors.

Advertising includes using bookmarks and pens that include the name of my latest book. I carry bookmarks and books with me in my car and have made sales by doing so. I also carry business cards with me and find them useful while I’m traveling by air. Facebook and X are used to advertise upcoming events and post pictures after or during events.

Contact Info:

• Website: sierrablancbooks.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/JoseChavezAuthor
• Twitter: @chavezauthor
• Youtube: bilingual author jose chavez reads dancing fruit