We are thrilled to announce that Dallas Poet Laureate and World Poetry Slam champion Joaquín Zihuatanejo will be joining us for the 2023 Writers Conference! Joaquín will be our keynote speaker at the Conference Kickoff event on November 2nd, he will lead poetry and revision workshops during both days of the Conference November 3rd and 4th, and he will also host the Johnson County Library Writers Conference Poetry Slam Championship to close out a weekend of writing fun.
Joaquín was born and raised in East Dallas and his work is reflective of the Chicano culture he grew up with, particularly life in the barrio. He’s been called, “one of the most dynamic and passionate performance poets in the country, melding equal parts comedy, poetry, and dramatic monologue into a crowd-pleasing display of verbal fireworks… always thrilling, Joaquín’s hilariously manic presentation is full of compassion and nuance, never sacrificing substance for style.”
Not only is he a National Poetry Slam Finalist, he also holds several other impressive titles: a Grand Slam Spoken Word Champion, HBO Def Poet, world-renowned teacher, performer, poet, and husband to his beloved wife, Aída.
We asked Joaquín a few questions to get to know him better:
1. What's in your TBR pile?
The Misfit's Manifesto by Lidia Yuknavitch
2. What are you reading right now?
The Seven Good Years by Edgar Keret
3. Do you have a favorite book you love to recommend?
Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
4. Do you have a favorite bookstore?
Deep Vellum Books followed closely by the original Half Price Books both in Dallas, Texas.
5. Answer the question you wish we had asked.
First book that I read that looked and sounded like me and my familia: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya
We look forward to seeing you Nov. 2-4 to write, network, and talk books with us! You can register to attend the Nov. 2 Kickoff with Joaquín here with and you can register for both days of the Writers Conference here. For the Conference, your RSVP is for both days and sessions will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. We look forward to seeing you there!