Student News

I must say that the only thing more gratifying than getting published myself is seeing my former students doing well. You see, you teach them to avoid things like theme, motif and all that other crap and they just go out and write books unfettered. So big ups to my man Eduardo Santiago for selling his debut novel Tomorrow They Will Kiss to Little, Brown.

Santiago workshopped the book while a PEN Emerging Voices Fellow and he said of the EV program, “That fellowship made all the difference.” He made contact with Little, Brown through PEN member B.J. Robbins who said, “I wasn’t surprised that the book sold so quickly. He’s a fantastic writer.”

The book tells the story of the turbulent friendship of three Cuban women as they adjust to their lives in Union City, New Jersey in 1963. Of writing the book Santiago said, “Every morning I got to climb into the van with those ladies. I set out to write something really dark and spiteful, but ended up with a very funny, and touching story. Even during countless rewrites I was repeatedly moved to tears and laughter. At a certain point the characters took over and told me what to write. I can’t imagine how else this could have happened.” Tomorrow They Will Kiss will be released in Fall 2006. 

Eduardo tells me the novel is based on one of his short stories, so here are  few links to his short fiction.

Comments

[Lee Goldberg]

What was the name of that other student of yours... the one who sold the trilogy of sf/fantasy novels and was signing last year at the LA Times Festival?

[Tod Goldberg]

You speak of the lovely and talented Lorna Freeman, whose first book Covenants was a Locus Magazine bestseller last year.

[Lynsi]

Big thumbs up to Eduardo. He's a fabulous writer and thinker.

[Aldo]

Tod,
Have you read it yet? Folks, If Tod recommends it, buy it! Oh, that goes for him books too :)

[Keith]

The motif thing comes up in enough of your posts that I'm thinking I owe you an apology for the public challenge of your teaching decisions.

I'm sorry--I've been severely sleep deprived and it's translated into tactlessness, among other things.

Pax, I owe you a beverage, and 15% of the cover price of my purchase will eventually filter down to your student.

[tod goldberg]

Aldo, no, I haven't read this particular book, though I've read many of his short stories and much of another novel (which Lynsi above you has as well) and can say that all the help I might have given him is incidental -- the man is a writer.

Keith, don't worry about it, no harm done. As long as you are with me against Walter Scott, you are a friend of mine.

[Keith]

If he ever shows his face in New York, I'm on him.