Luis Javier Rodriguez

I’ve embarked on my “Music of the Mill” tour as of May 4 – but not before having a national book release party on April 30 at Tia Chucha’s Café Cultural that brought some 200 people and the musical group, Trio Paz y Amor – it was a great way to launch my first novel (published by Rayo Books/HarperCollins). On May 4, I started out in the Bay Area with some great KPFA radio interviews, including Chris Welch’s show “Living Room.” I did a reading at the Bookshop Santa Cruz that evening and some old friends showed up, including Nane Alejandrez and OT (Otilio) from Barrios Unidos. Some 60 people made the reading in the rain. In Seattle, I hooked up with my “partners in crime” Michael Meade and the Mosaic Foundation crew. With the help of Elliott Bay Bookstore, we had an event for my book at the Rainier Valley Community Center that included song, story, drumming, poetry, and some great conversation. An engaged audience made for a wonderfully spirited evening.

I’m on my way to Denver today – where I also have friends and will have a reading at the famed Tattered Cover Bookstore. I’ll keep you all posted on things. So far the audiences have been receptive and supportive. It’s hard to get noticed with books these days – thousands are published every year. But Rayo’s efforts have landed reviews in Kirkus Review, the Library Journal, Latina Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, LA Times, Denver Westworld – more are expected. My talks have become town hall meetings on many issues – including those in the book about displacement, re-placement, nature and the nature of our lives in post-industrial America. I hope I see you at one of my readings/talks. Onward.