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

Romy Natalia , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I remember this moment so clearly. I had recently returned to the United States after living in Paraguay for six years, during which time I had written and published a travel guidebook through Other Places Publishing. I had no idea what I was going to write next or how I would do so with three young kids. We were in the library of the Houston Children’s Museum and I pulled a random book off the shelf, Carmen Lomas Garza’s In My Family / En Mi Familia, featuring scenes from the author’s life in South Texas. In her bilingual tales of communal meals, cake walks and birthday celebrations, I found my path forward. It sounds like, well, something out of a book, but I swear the clouds parted and celestial music drown pumped through the sound system. I left the museum (once my kids were done playing, of course) determined to learn how to write children’s books. I haven’t looked back since.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a Paraguayan-American author with a love for stories that deal with culture and communication. One of the issues I’m most passionate about is increasing the diversity of voices and experiences represented within the children’s publishing industry. I co-founded Kidlit Latinx a Facebook support group where children’s book authors and illustrators of Latin American descent can provide and receive guidance, support and encouragement navigating the industry. My website features lists of latine creators by country of heritage which I frequently share with editors and librarians. I am also the regional advisor for the Brazos Valley chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In this role I help children’s book creatives from central Texas improve their craft and connect with opportunities to share and publish their stories.

Prior to writing for children I wrote a travel guidebook, OTHER PLACES TRAVEL GUIDE TO PARAGUAY, which was published by Other Places Publishing in 2012, updated in 2017 and lead to work with “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.”

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

It’s nothing revolutionary as much as just plain obvious – artists need financial support in order to create. We cannot create for the love of art and expression alone. I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of a Sustainable Arts Foundation grant and I only wish there were more organizations out there offering low barrier to entry grants for artists with young children. The creation of art should not be reserved solely for those with disposable income and free time.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

When I start a new project it often feels like I’m wandering around in a dense fog groping around for glimmers of ideas to scratch out on post it notes or crumpled receipts. Eventually a path becomes visible and I’m able to make it through a first draft. Of course, in this metaphor I often have to double back, crash into trees and wander into patches of poison ivy. It’s rarely an easy journey, but I love holding my finished piece up to the fog and knowing I managed to make it out with something beautiful in hand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://romynatalia.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/romyngoldberg
• Twitter: @romyngoldberg
• Other: I invite any children’s book creators of Hispanic heritage to join the Kidlit Latinx Facebook group at http://facebook.com/groups/kidlitlatinx

Image Credits

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