Lisa Alvarado

Fiction Writer, Poet, Spoken Word Artist

Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico US

Author's Bio

Lisa Alvarado is an educator, poet, novelist, and journalist, the founder of La Onda Negra Press, author of Reclamo and The Housekeeper’s Diary; originally a book of poetry and now a one-woman performance. Her first novel, Sister Chicas, Penguin/NAL, was released in April 2006. The novel is a coming of age story concerning the lives of three young Latinas living in Chicago. It won 2nd place, Best First Novel in English. (Latino Literacy Now/2007)

Her book of poetry, Raw Silk Suture, released by Floricanto Press in 2008, was positively reviewed by Rigoberto Gonzalez. She has curated multimedia exhibits, mounted her own multimedia piece, Reclamo, in the Pilsen art corridor in Chicago; and is currently a contributor to the nationally touring exhibit, Re-imagining the Distaff Toolkit, curated by Ricki Solinger/SUNY.

Lisa is the recipient of grants from the Department of Cultural Affairs, The NEA, and the Ragdale Foundation. In Fall, 2009, she was awarded Hispanic Author of the Year by the State of Illinois. In 2010, she contributed to HaLapid, The Journal for the Study of Crypto-Judaism. In 2011, she contributed to Me No Habla with Acento, edited by Emanuel Xavier, and released by Rebel Sartori Press, and Still, Life, essays and poetry.

Publications & Prizes

Fiction

Book:
Sister Chicas (Penguin, 2006)

Poetry

Books:
Me No Habla With Acento (Rebel Satori Press, 2011)
,
Raw Silk Suture (Floricanto Press, 2008)

Spoken Word

Performances:
El Museo delBarrio (2015)
,
WBEZ (2015)
,
Palabra Pura (2012)
,
Printers Row Book Fair (2008)
,
Insight Arts (1999)
,
Chopin Theater/Guild Complex (1996)
,
Butterfly Poetry Project ()
Prizes won: 

Hispanic Author of the Year 2009, State of Illinois

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
Feminist, Hispanic, Jewish, Latino/Latina/Latinx
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, At Risk Youth, LGBTQ, Disability, Seniors, Teachers, Teenagers
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Chicago
Raised in: 
Chicago, IL
Illinois
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Feb 25, 2016