About

 

 

JO ANN YOLANDA HERNÁNDEZ

                             San Antonio, TX 78211

                     E-mail: BronzeWord1@yahoo.com

 

       EDUCATION

 

* Master of Arts in Writing at University of San Francisco, August, 1995, 3.8 GPA

 

* Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Business), Burlington College, June, 1988.

 

* San Antonio Junior College, San Antonio, Texas (Liberal Arts courses, 1965-68)

 

* Spanish courses and Graduate Business courses at St. Michael’s College

 

* Post-Graduate course in Writing at Vermont College

 

       AWARDS

 

·        The Throwaway Piece finalists for the Eric Hoffer Award for Books. This list of finalists is an honored distinction of its own.

 

·        The Throwaway Piece finalists for Montaigne Medal is announced prior to naming the winner. This small list or “short list” of finalists is an honored distinction of its own.

 

·        The Throwaway Piece won First Place in the 2007 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Award, New Jersey.

 

·        The Throw Away Piece was a finalist for Foreword Magazine in 2007.

 

·        The Throwaway Piece picked for The New York Public Library’s 2007 Books for the Teen Age list.

 

·        The Throwaway Piece won First Place in the 2003 “Chicano/Latino Literary  Contest” at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, School of Humanities, Irvine, CA.

 

·        White Bread Competition won Second Place in the 1996 “Chicano/Latino Literary Contest” at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, School of Humanities, Irvine, CA.

 

·        White Bread Competition won Honorable Mention in the New York Library Best Books for Teens, 1997

 

·        Aftermath won Third Place in the 1995 “Chicano/Latino Literary Contest” at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, School of Humanities, Irvine, CA.

 

·        Awarded Grant for Writers from Women In Moon, PO Box 2087, Cupertino, CA., October, 1995.

 

·        “Aftermath” won Second Prize in the “That Crucial First Chapter” at Green River Writers Contest, Cincinnati, OH.

 

·        “Family Trip” won 2nd Honorable Mention in the 1995 President’s Prize at Green River Writers Contest, Cincinnati, OH

 

·        “Grandmother’s Garden” won Third Place in the “The Magnolia Award” from the Writers Unlimited 25th Annual International Literary Competition 1995, Pascagoula, MS., October, 1995.

 

·        “Time To Rise” won Second Prize for Best Short Fiction in the Tri-State Fair in Amarillo, TX, September, 1995

 

·        “Too Many Cooks” won First Prize for Inspirational Story in the Tri-State Fair in Amarillo, TX, September, 1995

 

·        National Hispanic Scholarship Award, 1988

 

·        National Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Scholarship

 

·        Local chapter: Business and Professional Women’s Club Scholarship

 

·        Prudential/Association for Community-Based Education – two years

 

·        Emma Eliza Curtis General Education Fund, sponsored The Merchant Bank, 3 yrs

 

 

 

       TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

·        Teaching Assistant at San Francisco State University, “La Raza Contemporary Literature”

 

·        Taught two classes at “Latina Leadership Network, Power — Our Voice and Culture” on “Creative and Finding Our Voice.”

 

·        Taught a composition class in Masters Program at University of San Francisco

 

·        One on one tutoring for Learning Disabled students at San Francisco State University, “La Raza Contemporary Literature”

 

·        Taught Young Adults (18 to 20 year-olds) Autobiographical Stories at St. Peter’s Church in San Francisco

 

·        Led classes for Adult women in No Limits for the Women in the Arts

 

       EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE

 

·        Guest reviewer, Haworth Innovations in Feminist Studies – A Women’s Studies Book

 

·        E-Book Reviewer, “The Blue Iris Cafe” Newsletter, Elizabeth Burton, Austin, TX Summer, 2000

 

·        Editing full-length manuscripts for writers on Novel-Doc Writer’s List

The Terranic Corridor, The Selhdun Effect, The Autarch Rebellion by Pat Brown, Canada, Science Fiction

The Assassin’s Maneuver by Jolene Butler, Canada, Adventure

 

·        Editing full-length manuscripts for authors on Spec

Warp By David Luddington, England, Science Fiction

April’s Act by Sara Lyons, Australia, Romance

Wild Women by Carla Mason Dixon, U.S.A., Elderly Misadventure

 

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

·         “Gardenias and Oranges” Tina Posner, Scholastic Reader 180 Program, February, 2001

 

·        “Homerun Hitter” Tina Posner, Scholastic Reader 180 Program, February, 2001

 

·        “Straight from the Heart” SNReview (Starry Night Review–A Literary Review), John Conlin, ed., http://members.aol.com/jconln1221/snreview.htm, Summer Issue 1999 (accessible from June 22, 1999, to June 21, 2000).

 

·        “Straight from the Heart” in Three Naked Ladies Playing Cellos Anthology, David Woodbury, ed., DamnYankee Press, E-book publication, 1999

 

·        “White Bread Competition: Collection of Short Stories” at Arte Publico Press, Oct. 31, 1997

 

·        Three poems in “Webs We Weave” by Donald Hillman and Judith Solez-Tuff, 1989

 

·        Essay in “No Limits for Women In the Arts” Newsletter, Fall 1993

 

·        Essay “Fitting In” in San Francisco State University La Raza “El Voccero,” Fall 1993

 

·        Essay “Being a Chicana Writer” in San Francisco State University’s Special Edition Cipactli, A Literary/Arts Journal, Spring, 1994

 

·        “It Only Hurts a Little Bit” in Poet’s Paradise, edited by Bunny Williams, New York, NY, August 1995.

 

·        “White Bread Competition” in New Texas 95, edited by Jim Lee, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, September 1995

 

·        “Remembering’s Easy” in The Unforgettable Fire, edited by Jordan O’Neill, New York, NY, September 1995.

 

·        “Protection” in Rag Shock, edited by Steve Fried, Lunar Offensive Press, October, 1995.

 

·        “Too Many Cooks,” in Timber Creek Review edited by J.M. Freiermuth, Glendora, NJ., Vol. 2, No. 2, October 1995, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “White Bread Competition” in Rain Dog Review, edited by L.S. Gunn, Gunn Communications, San Jose, CA, January 1996, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Life in Spanish is Feminine: Vida” in Atom Mind #20, edited by Gregory Smith, Mother Road Publications, Albuquerque, NM, Late Winter 1996

 

·        “Endangered Species” in Pangolin Papers, edited by Les Smith, Norland, WA., Winter, 1996

 

·        “Life in Spanish is Feminine: Vida” in Hurricane Alice, A Feminist Review, edited by Toni McNaron, Minneapolis, MN., Summer, 1997

 

·        “Tucking In” in “The Story Shop IV,” edited by Rosalie Avara, by Rio Grande Press, Las Vegas, NV, sponsored by Se La Vie Writer’s Journal, February 1996.

 

·        “Mother’s Love” in “The Story Shop IV,” edited by Rosalie Avara, by Rio Grande Press, Las Vegas, NV, sponsored by Se La Vie Writer’s Journal, February 1996.

 

·        “Too Many Cooks” in Struggle, edited by Tim Hall, Detroit, MI, Winter/Feb., 1996, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Life in Spanish is Feminine: Vida” in Mobius, edited by Fred Schepartz, Madison, WI, Spring/March, 1996

 

·        “Remembering’s Easy” in Taproot Literary Review, edited by Tikvah Feinstein, Ambridge, PA, Contest Edition 9, Spring, 1996, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Bleached Wheat” in Emrys Journal, edited by Jeanine Halva-Neubauer, Greenville, SC, Spring, 1996, Vol. 13.

 

·        “Endangered Species” in Mostly Maine, edited by Peter McGinn, Portland, ME, June 1996, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Too Many Cooks” in Pangolin Papers, edited by Les Smith, Norland, WA., Summer, 1996

 

·        “The Wall” in Westview, A Journal of Western Oklahoma by Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK, 1996, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “A Grammatically Correct Affair” in The Unforgettable Fire, edited by Jordan O’Neill, New York, NY, Summer/July, 1996, under the name of Al Ross

·        “Family Trip” in Licking River Review, edited by Aimee Merier, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY

 

·        “Grandmother’s Garden” in Sweet Anne Press, edited by Beverly A. Clark, Baxter, IA, Summer, 1996, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Endangered Species” in RiverSedge, edited by Patricia de la Fuente, The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX, 10:2, Summer, 1996

 

·        Essay in “No Limits for Women in the Arts” Newsletter, Summer, 1996

 

·        “The Wall” in Art:Mag, edited by Peter Magliocco, Las Vegas, NV, Fall 1996.

 

·        “Basic Ingredients” in RE:AL, The Journal of Liberal Arts, W. Dale Hearell, ed., Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX, Fall, 1996

 

·        “Bleached Wheat” in The Minnesota Review, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, “Post-Whitness” ns 47, 1996

 

·        “The Wall” in Owen Wister Review, Carl Taplin, ed., Laramie, WY, Fall, 1996

 

·        “White Bread Competition” in Rock Falls Review, edited by Diana L. Lambson, Stamford, NE, Winter 1997, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Life in Spanish is Feminine: Vida” in Struggle, edited by Tim Hall, Detroit, MI, 1997, under the name of Anne Helen Jupiter

 

·        “Family Trip” in Writing For Our Lives, edited by Janet M. McEwan, Running Deer Press, Los Gatos, CA, 1997

 

 

 

 

 

       READINGS

 

·        Zachary Middle School, San Antonio, TX, Pam Bliningsley, Head of Department, All day presentation to three gifted classes.

 

·        Connell Middle School, San Antonio, TX, Charles E. Fears, English Department Head, November, 2008, speaking to five 8^th grade classes.

 

·        Irving Middle School, San Antonio, TX, October, 2008, Career Day, three classes.

 

·        University of California, Irvine, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, 2003, at winning first place

 

·        Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, Creative Writing Class, October 28, 1999

 

·        Palo Alto Community College, San Antonio, TX , October 27, 1999

 

·        Solano Community College, Literature Classes, Department of Humanities, October 25, 1999

 

·        Diablo Community College, Puente Program, October, 1999

 

·        First Fairfield Literary Festival, Fairfield, CA, September 18, 1999

 

·        Alisal High School, Salinas CA, 6 one hour presentations, September 17, 1999

 

·        Fairfield Library Mexican Independence Day Festival, September, September 16, 1999

 

·        Solano Community College, Department of Humanities Presentation, November, 1998

 

·        Solano Community College, English Class, Department of Humanities, November, 1998

 

·        Channel 40, San Francisco, CA, January, 1998

 

·        Solano Community College, Department of Humanities Presentation Series, October, 1997

 

·        University of California, Irvine, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Irvine, CA, November, 1996

 

·        University of California, Irvine, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Irvine, CA, November, 1995

 

·        Center for Texas Studies’ Fall Literary Festival, University of North Texas in Denton, TX, September, 1995

 

·        Las Vistas Latinas, Henry Settlement House, New York, NY, 1991

 

 

       COMMUNITY ACTIVISM

 

·        Foster Parent for eight years

 

·        Parents Anonymous Volunteer for three years

 

·        Parenting Speakers Bureau for three years

 

·        Little League Coach & President for five years

 

·        Assistant to St. Michael’s College Big Brother Program for two years

 

 

I am seeking assistance, articles, and interviews. 

I know y’all have blogs out there doing fantastic things, connecting people and giving advice. I hope to link with each of you. I wish to list every one of you. 

 

 I am also looking for ways to connect with other writers and organizations. If you could post my link on your blog, I would appreciate it. I am on FaceBook and twitter.

 

 

 

The aims for BronzeWord are:

 

A. Novice Writers

·       to talk about their experience, get support

·       how to find agents, places to submit, recommendations

·       How to submit a manuscript

·       Proper manuscript formatting guidelines

·       have a contest for readers to win their book when published

·       Have writers post the first chapter of their new books

 

B. Advice

·       to have Latinos/as published writers write articles and talk about their books or be interviewed

·       to have Latinos/as agents/editors in the book business to write articles or be interviewed

·       To have other agents and editors write articles or be interviewed

·       To send in questions and be answered about the book industry

·       Questions and answers on mechanics of writing

 

C. Books discussions

·       books that teach about the book industry

·       books on how to edit and write

·       books on how to promote and market your book

·       I would make a comment on a paragraph from a book I thought to hold valuable advice and ask readers to read the book and to see what they found valuable in the book and to submit an article or comments on it. Whether they liked it or not.

 

D. Young Adult

·       To promote the Young Adult books by Latino/a authors

·       Reading contests for Latino/a youth

·       Latino/a youth submit poems or short stories to post on the blog

·       Foster high school and middle age student groups to write

 

E. Authors

·     Meet and get to know Latino/a authors of all genres

Have authors post their first chapter of a manuscript-in-progress for comment

·       Book reviews by Latinos/as about Latinos/as books

·       Announce Latino/a book conference and workshops

F. Promotion

·       To talk about promoting to the Latino audience

·       Contacting Latino bookstores and online stores

·       To develop a way to discuss how to introduce the difficult concept of BUYING our books to the traditional Latinos.

·       List of Independent bookstores across U.S.

·       List of Libraries across the U.S.

·       List of Libraries in each state

·       List of 100 high schools with highest Latino/a population

·       List of ten states with highest Latino/a population

·       List of creative writing programs: could use some help with this

·       List of women’s organizations

·       Fundraising ideas using your book

·       To learn to crossover into the Black and white audiences

·       To learn how to do presentations and speak on radio shows

·       Find who are the Latino/a experts who could assist us in becoming better presenters and promoters

·       How to contact book clubs

·       How to launch virtual book tours, ex grits

·       Who are the people to contact to steer you onto better marketing skills

·       Teach how to create Buzz

 

G. Contests and competitions

·       List of contest by month

·       A calendar for contests deadlines

·       List of contests for First book published by an unknown author

·       List of contests of Books published the previous year

·       Announce manuscript competitions

·       Announce short stories competitions

·       Announce poetry competitions

·       List websites that post contests

·       Announce Latino/a winners

·       Show how to keep a submission sheet

·       Request posts on competitions and contests

·       List Latinos/as past years award winners

 

H. Miscellaneous

·       List Latinos/as who are web designers or can assist an author to build and improve their website

·       Post questions like who’s blog says: “This is my brain. This is my brain on blogs.” Post answer next week and post comments from people who went looking for the answer.

·       Make announcements on what one can find on other people’s blogs

·       Announcement of new trends and blogs and writing groups

·       List of Latino/a cannon/books from the very first one published in U.S.

 

I. Goals

·       To have everyone interested in the book industry and in Latinos/as authors to receive daily posts from this blog

·       To send a PR to librarians to check this blog out

·       To sell books by Latinos/as on this blog

·       To sell T-shirts or clothes designed by Latinos/as or direct readers to their websites

·       To have a Latino/a writers group online to critique each other’s work like the International Writers Group does

·       To post this blog on every search engine, database, blog, Facebook, Google, Technati and website available to get worldwide recognition and involvement