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Diana Rojas

@bydianarojas

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Author
Litany of Saints (Arte Publico Press), 2024

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Sneak peek at the cover of They Hold Grudges -- a gripping psychological drama about family, loyalty and the weight of suspicion.

Coming September 30

A hearty thanks to my cousin, Dani M. Jiménez @andhersaints for the beautiful cover design (Second time she designs my book cover!)

And a grateful shout-out to my sister, Clara Rojas @clara_fied.designs for the nifty graphic!

@artepublico by @bydianarojas

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7 months ago

Happy for this praise for my forthcoming fiction from Kirkus Review today! Check it out:

***Three stories offer an intriguing look into the lives of Costa Rican characters—Ticos—as they deal with their roles in their families and society.
In “The Lives of Saints,” the opening story in this debut collection, an immigrant woman living in the United States reflects on her philandering husband’s life after he receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. His poor health causes her to reconsider her unwavering loyalty to him, as well as her fervent belief in her Catholic faith. “Studying the lives of saints was a conspiracy to hold us back from a full life,” she muses, “forcing us to always postpone joy for a tomorrow that might or might not come.” Indeed, her religion is what convinced her to stay with her husband, endlessly forgiving his transgressions. Similarly, in the second story, “Las Tres Marías,” three Boston-born teen sisters who return to Costa Rica with their parents are bound by locals’ perceptions of them as loose, hypersexualized gringas, simply by virtue of their beauty and origins. Pilar, the shyest sister, is so caught up in the assumptions of those around her that she begins to lose faith in herself, eventually finding herself coerced into a toxic sexual relationship with an older man. The third story, “La Familia,” involves Juan Manuel, a naturalized U.S. American Tico, called back to his native country when his brother is arrested for terrorism. He, too, is constrained by duties to his family, even when it puts him in danger. Rojas highlights these restrictions, along with the cultural misunderstandings that occur as a result of them. The intensity of Juan’s experience is downplayed by those looking in from the outside, as a customs agent reveals when Juan returns to the U.S. after the ordeal. “Wish we could all be so lucky: two years in paradise,” the agent says. Rojas weaves expertly between distinct stories and families, creating a network of Costa Rican experience that is equally loving and critical. She shows her readers that no homeland is perfect—not even “paradise.”
An engrossing debut that sees both the good and bad sides of Costa Rica.*** by @bydianarojas

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3 years ago

News of the day:

Signed a contract with Piñata Books (an imprint of Arte Público Press) for a sweet children's picture book about immigrating to a new country.

I LOVE PICTURE BOOKS! So excited about this!

Stay tuned... Clara's Big, Green Coat coming Spring 2027

@artepublico #dcwriters #bilingualbooksforkids by @bydianarojas

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2 years ago

If you missed my events in the first half of my launch month, catch me and They Hold Grudges in the second half of October...

On Thursday evening, via Zoom, curl up on your couch and let's chat with @holacultura's Michelle Benítez.

Next Tuesday at Shaw's Tavern, hear a bit from my novel @theinnerlooplit's monthly reading -- one of my favorite regular DC literary gatherings (and this month featuring the fabulous @jungyun71 )!

Sign up with @dcwriterssalon for an in-person discussion about publishing my second book on October 29 at their cozy Dupont Circle location.

And catch a spooky section of They Hold Grudges on Halloween @foxcitylit's holiday reading in Old Town Fairfax!

Looking forward to these next couple of weeks, and looking ahead at more exciting events later this fall! Join me...

@artepublico by @bydianarojas

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3 days ago

This Thursday, join us for our Hola Escritores charla featuring Diana Rojas! 📚

Rojas will present a reading from her book "They Hold Grudges," followed by a Q&A. Community members are invited to submit questions in advance.

🗓 Thursday, October 15 via Zoom
⏰ 7:30 p.m. EST

Free and open to the community.
🔗 RSVP at the link in our bio.

#dianarojas #BookReview #author #latinoamerica #latinofamily by @bydianarojas

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4 days ago

Second book has fledged, and I've been BUSY introducing They Hold Grudges to friends and readers this past week (plus a bonus pre-publication event on Sept 23).

And this is just the beginning! Looking forward to upcoming opportunities to introduce more readers to my messy family drama this fall online, at book clubs, reading series, libraries and book clubs.

Many thanks to everyone who has come out to meet and greet my new novel. The fun has just begun: stay tuned for more They Hold Grudges events and join me along the way!

@artepublico by @bydianarojas

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5 days ago

Join us on October 15 for our Hola Escritores charla featuring Diana Rojas. 📚 Rojas will present a reading from her book “They Hold Grudges,” followed by a Q&A. Submit your questions in advance and hear the author respond during the event!

🗓 Thursday, October 15 via Zoom
⏰ 7:30 p.m. EST

Free and open to the community.
🔗 RSVP link in bio.

#dianarojas #BookReview #author #latinoamerica #latinofamily by @bydianarojas

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8 days ago

This Saturday @maryhelpnj -- Come back with me to where I first caught the writing bug! I've got so many stories to tell...

I'll be in the library at 4 p.m. This event is open to everyone, so come on out North Jersey friends!

If you have memories of being a student here, come a little earlier to get a tour of the campus.

@mhca.alumnae
@artepublico by @bydianarojas

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9 days ago

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE IVY BOOKSHOP

NOW FEATURING A CAMPFIRE AT THE BOOKSTORE for a reading by and conversation with @bydianarojas about her new novel, "They Hold Grudges" by @bydianarojas

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10 days ago

Join us for our online charla with Diana Rojas, featuring a live reading and a conversation shaped by your questions! Submit them in advance and hear the author respond during the event.

Thursday, October 15 | 7:30 p.m. EST
Free & open to the community!
🔗 RSVP in bio.

#dianaroja #bookreading #latinoauthors #booklover #books by @bydianarojas

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11 days ago

I loved chatting with @bydianarojas about her provocative new novel, They Hold Grudges, at @PTKnitwear this week. Here’s a clip of our conversation on forgiveness, family, and Kierkegaard.

#authorlife #nyclife #nycevents #authorcommunity #booktalk taken in New York City by @bydianarojas

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11 days ago

Congrats to @bydianarojas on the launch of THEY HOLD GRUDGES. Great chat with @marthatoll at @ptknitwear.
#bookstagram #writingcommunity #writersofinstagram taken in P&T Knitwear Books & Podcasts by @bydianarojas

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11 days ago