Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brenda Vaca. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brenda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
I had just finished my first poetry collection manuscript with the Community Literature Initiative program out of South Los Angeles, CA when I first had the idea of publishing my own collection. I had received a contract to publish, but it wasn’t negotiable and I just wasn’t okay with that. Plus, I have an entrepreneurial spirit that runs through my DNA. I saw my parents launch their own taqueria when I was in junior high and my own maternal grandmother, Maria Casillas, was an entrepreneur in prohibition-era Watts. It’s really challenging to work for someone when you have that spirit running in your blood.
I didn’t want to simply go the way of Amazon. I considered publishing with an independent printer/distributor because I believe in small businesses and always looking for ways to support them. At the end of the day, I wanted my book to make its way into the library system – a goal I’m still working toward to this day. Then, it became just as important to publish other voices in this generation besides my own, especially narratives that have been historically silenced or manipulated. In writing workshop settings, I truly enjoyed the editing process. I love to see people shine and it occurred to me that I could create the infrastructure to make that happen in black and white. So Riot of Roses Publishing House was born.
First thing I did was write a contract with myself. I really had to back myself into a corner to incarnate the dream of being a published writer that I had for most of my adult life. It was a dream I let lay dormant. But in the midst of the pandemic it came alive like a damn phoenix rising from the ashes. It was now or never.
I wanted to do it right so I reached out to a contact I had met through the Whittier Chamber of Commerce. He represented a legal aid organization and he connected me right away. Within a week I had an appointment with a lawyer. The hardest thing I had to do at that point was come up with a name for my organization. The title of my book is Riot of Roses. Initially, I had the idea to name my press “Guayaba House” because we have two succulent and very fruitful guava trees on our property. But no one seemed to appreciate that name! My mom and a writer friend suggested Riot of Roses Publishing House – after my first born book offspring – and it resonated. Even though it did feel a bit strange to name a whole organization – albeit micro – after my book.
The call with the lawyer was quick. Papers were drawn up. I rushed to Office Depot to print documents. Signed, dated, scanned, emailed back. Found a typo in the name after the fact! Had to submit an Amendment. Office Depot run, print, sign, date, scan, email back to the attorney after paying an additional fee to the state and his office. Note to self: don’t approve documents from your phone between things. Take your time. Lesson learned.
Everything felt urgent. I had been waiting so long to put my writing out into the world. For me, it had become a strangle hold. I had silenced myself so long. And I think I knew there were other people who had been silenced too. Time for the mouth gag to come off.
I then launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. I actually hit my goal, which poetry rarely does! I read a poem a day on Instagram and Facebook to stay front of mind. Turned out to be a wonderful marketing strategy, which I didnt’ know at the time. The funds not only helped with the first print run of my poetry collection, but it also helped with costs in setting up the infrastructure of my micro publishing house. A bank account was opened. Book production was finalized, printed, and distributed. Orders fulfilled. My book launched on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Sims Library of Poetry in South LA before family and beloved friends and writers – in person and virtually. It’s been a hustle ever since.
The first year and several months of my business have been an experiment. My book as the guinea pig and I along for the ride observing, learning, and risking as I went. But I knew I couldn’t really call myself a publisher until I put skin in the game for another writer. That’s when I made an agreement with the first writer – a verbal agreement to be followed with a written agreement – with Xicana Slam Champion Diosa Xochiquetzalcóatl. Then came a young Mexican-American writer from Gilroy, CA Elodia Benitez. Then the powerfully vulnerable Gabriel Acosta, also known as “VOTH,” Voice of the Harbor. Then the hilarious and thoughtful Anastasia Fenald followed by the poetic powerhouse that is Annalicia Aguilar. I am blessed to make an agreement with two-time Children’s Book, Paola Gutierrez, for her first poetry collection en español. And, most recently, I signed an agreement with two mind-boggling wordsmiths, Mesoamerican Poet Carlos Ornelas, and Mexican Slam Poet, Karloz Atl. More are most certainly to come.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
In case we haven’t met, I am Brenda Vaca. I’m a writer and Independent Publisher from Sejatnga, Unceded Tongva Terriotry, South Whittier, CA in South East Los Angeles County. I came to this industry by way of my love for storytelling and the written word. It was always my dream to have my work published. I have been putting collections of little stories and poetry together since I was a kid, yet never had the gumption to share it publicly. Writing and publishing most certainly had been a dream deferred. My background is weird and unique. I was an ordained reverend for over a decade. I’ve been comfortable on a mic for a long time now. Then I pivoted to real estate, where I honed my prospecting and sales skills. I finally landed on this writerly way about two years ago. It really hasn’t been that long, but when you’re in alignment it’s magical how doors will open for you.
My micro press, Riot of Roses Publishing House, was founded August 2021. It is a Xicana-owned business founded specifically to amplify the stories of historically silenced voices. We publish books to heal and liberate others. Our tagline in this first iteration of our existence is: Read our rebellion.
I don’t see the writers I publish or will publish as “clients.” I see them as partners. The expectation is for both sides to put skin in the game to make this business and our literature fly. This is not a vanity press nor is it a beloved child of wealthy philanthropists nor is it a recipient of significant grants. It is very much a grass-roots, people powered organization that works hard and engages in the liberating act of storytelling. We write because we have to.
I am most proud of the fact that Riot of Roses Publishing House LLC is community funded and driven by blood, sweat, and tears. It’s also driven by joy and divine guidance.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
One of the primary goes of Riot of Roses Publishing House is to saturate the “marketplace” with our stories. How many times have the stories of our ancestors been silenced and, for lack of a better word, undocumented? How many times have we been shamed to hide aspects of ourself because they are not socially accepted or because they are too vulnerable? Now, it is our time to document our stories. The multiple modalities are at our fingertips. Sharing our stories is medicine and indeed a sacred act. Everyone has a story and now we have a grip of ISBNs to share them with the world.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn modesty and false notions of feminine behavior. I was raised in a particularly religious Mexican/Chicana household where humility was an important concept. The first shall be last, the last shall be first. I’m also the youngest child and a daughter at that. Using my voice and speaking up for myself has been an uphill climb. When I decided to sign a contract with myself, it also meant I was puting my dreams and my goals front and center for the first time in my life. I was 44 years old at the time. Toni Morrison, one of my all time favorite writers, was truly an inspiration with the fact that she wrote her first novel right before she turned 40. I had her famous quote in my mind as a mantra: “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” I had to learn to be my biggest promoter, which felt so awkward in the beginning. But now speaking up for myself is becoming muscle memory. I like that a lot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.riotofrosespublishinghouse.com/
- Instagram: @iambrendavaca @riotofrosespublishing @ohmygatosbooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riotofroses/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iambrendavaca/featured
Image Credits
Main photo by George Piñeda, as well as photo 2,3, & 4 Logo by Brenda Vaca Photo 6 – self photo by Gabriel Acosta Photo 7 – self photo by Carlos Ornelas Photo 8 by The Tewa