Happy Fall!

Before I completely transition into my Birthday Month (Go Libras!) and into the quieter, more introspective, energy of fall, I wanted to reflect on what I’m calling "Publication Summer!"

This summer I had five pieces published; one poem accepted; I spoke at the Latina Writers Conference in LA; I was selected to present at another writer’s conference in the spring; I applied for a grant; and I had two sets of rejections (as WWS has taught me, if you’re not getting rejected that probably means you’re not submitting enough!).

Check out the publications below:

Having that many pieces published in the span of three months was unexpected but it didn’t happen by accident.

Read on to learn more about how I went from one publication in 2017 to Publication Summer in 2018!

I've hosted two FB Live readings to keep Puerto Rico front of mind as we approach 9/20/18, the one year anniversary of Hurricane María making landfall on the island.

Please watch and share both videos below, and please support Taller Salud.

Read on September 12, 2018 at 10am (PST)

Grateful acknowledgements to VIDA Review for giving this essay a home.

​Join me for two FB Live Readings this month (9/12/18 & 9/19/18).

I'm hosting both readings to keep Puerto Rico front of mind as we approach 9/20, the one year anniversary of Hurricane María making landfall on the island.

If you join live or watch the replay of either reading, I hope you will also support my fundraising campaign on behalf of Puerto Rico's Taller Salud.  

(My campaign has ended, but you can support Taller Salud directly using the link below):

Support for Taller Salud
Suggested Offering $10

On September 12, 2018 at 10am (PST), I read my personal essay:

"Literatura, Música, y (Huracán) Maria: Reflections from the Diaspora."

Click on the essay title above to read the published version and to follow along as I read.

Click on the video image below to watch!

Below that you'll find links to the texts and songs I reference throughout the essay.

Grateful acknowledgements to VIDA Review for giving this essay a home.

I’m super excited to attend and speak at the Latina Writer’s Conference in Los Angeles tomorrow (9/8/18)!

A full day of programming surrounded by badass Latina Writers? Sounds like heaven!

I’ve been thinking about what I might share with the mujeres who attend my session on “Writing & Caretaking / Parenting.”

I’ve learned so much during these first two years of Mamihood and have so many stories and nuggets to share about this transition.

In preparation for the conference, I thought I’d share the one piece of advice that most influenced my approach to embracing Mamihood as a writer AND some practical strategies I implemented to stay connected to my Writer Self even in the midst of this huge transition. 

Read on for all the goodness and to download a FREE checklist!

​Hola Familia,

I'm wondering...

What's your Hurricane story?

Where were you when Irma and Maria hit?

How did you experience the aftermath of the storms?

What do you think about when you think of Hurricanes Irma and Maria today?

Those are a few of the questions on my mind as September gets underway and the one year anniversaries approach.

If you have a hurricane story, hit reply and share it with me... I'd love to know if and how Puerto Rico is on your mind these days.

I returned from my first post-Maria visit to Puerto Rico a few weeks ago. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you probably saw my photos from the trip (if not, be sure to check them out!).

Here is one of my favorites from an amazing community art project in Yauco called Yaucromatic 2 created by artists and community members working with the nonprofit Arte Para Unir.

Returning to Puerto Rico for the first time since Hurricane Maria is hard to describe. I’ve traveled to Puerto Rico since I was two-months-old, so returning is always so familiar and I always have an amazing time with mi familia...

And yet. Everywhere I looked there were quiet or in-your-face reminders of what happened on the island almost a year ago.  Everyone I spoke with had their own Hurricane María stories to share.

Case in point, when I asked my cousin about her experience with the hurricane, she answered, without skipping a beat, "I'll say this much. My daughters (ages 3 & 5) got over their fear of the dark." 

But also. Our Isla del Encanto is as enchanting as ever. And its gente? As committed to Puerto Rico and its future as ever. Alongside the pain, challenges, and ongoing recovery efforts, there is hope and art and joy and laughter.

As we approach September 6th and September 20th, I hope you’ll join me in thinking about Puerto Rico, amplifying Puerto Rican stories and voices, and supporting organizations leading the way on recovery efforts—recovery efforts that will last for years.

I’m supporting Taller Salud and hope you will join me by supporting my campaign on behalf of Taller Salud today.

Read all about this campaign and learn more about Taller Salud by clicking here. And keep an eye out online and in your inbox for updates about the campaign throughout the month.

Thank you in advance for sharing your stories with me and for showing Taller Salud and Puerto Rico some love 🙏🏽 

Abrazos fuertes,

Li Yun

PS Before you go, please Read More below for publication, blog, and event updates.