Episode 87 Notes and Links to Natalia Sylvester’s Work
On Episode 87 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Natalia Sylvester and talks to her about her stellar writing for kids, young adults, and adults. The two talk about, among other topics, her inspirations, her love of “I Love Lucy,” and her dynamic topical, and moving award-winning book, 2020’s Running.
Natalia Sylvester is the award-winning author of several novels for adults and young adults. CHASING THE SUN was named the Best Debut Book of 2014 by Latinidad and EVERYONE KNOWS YOU GO HOME won an International Latino Book Award and the 2018 Jesse H. Jones Award for Best Work of Fiction from the Texas Institute of Letters.
Natalia's debut YA novel, RUNNING, was a 2020 Junior Library Guild Selection, and her next novel for young adults, BREATHE AND COUNT BACK FROM TEN, is forthcoming in May 2022 from Clarion Books/HarperCollins. A MALETA FULL OF TREASURES, Natalia's first picture book (illustrated by Juana Medina), will be published by Dial Books in 2024.
Natalia's non-fiction has appeared in the New York Times, Bustle, Catapult, Electric Literature, Latina magazine, and McSweeney's Publishing. Her essays have been anthologized in collections such as A MAP IS ONLY ONE STORY and A MEASURE OF BELONGING: WRITERS OF COLOR ON THE NEW AMERICAN SOUTH.
Born in Lima, Peru, Natalia came to the US at age four and grew up in Florida and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. She received a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Miami, was a 2021 Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and was formerly a faculty member at the Mile-High MFA program at Regis University.
Buy Running from Bookshop.org
Buy Everyone Knows You Go Home from Bookshop
Preorder Breathe and Count Back from Ten
“Natalia Sylvester is Changing the Narrative” from July 2020 in Austin Woman Magazine
From Buzzfeed, 2020: “30 YA Books By Latinx Authors We Can't Wait To Read In 2020”
“Abuelito: Natalia shares the story of her grandmother's poetic influence on her as a child with NPR's Latino USA.
Everyone Knows You Go Home review on Latino Book Review
At about 2:10, Natalia talks about having work included on the legendary “Latino USA” show
At about 3:30, Pete and Natalia talk about her prolific nature, with her stellar works coming in quick fashion in recent years; Natalia talks about the process as “surprising at every turn”
At about 5:30, Natalia talks about the challenges of writing for children and young adults
At about 6:40, Natalia responds to Pete’s questions about her relationship with language in her youth, as a young immigrant to the US
At about 10:00, Natalia talks about what she loved reading as a child, especially Dahl’s Matilda and comics, and she and Pete bond over their shared love of The Babysitters’ Club
At about 12:40, Pete asks Natalia if she “saw herself” in what she read as a younger person
At about 16:40, Natalia discusses formative texts that resonate(d) with her and were “completely revolutionary,” such as Cristina Garcia’s Dreaming in Cuban, and Natalia notes how it was surreal to meet and speak with Cristina Garcia in later years
At about 20:25, Natalia lists Isabel Quintero, the stellar writing duo Dhonielle Clayton and Sona Charaipotra, Taherer Mafi as "giants of YA"-writers who inspire and thrill her
At about 23:50, Natalia reflects on whether or not becoming a successful writer has affected her pleasure reading
At about 25:05, Natalia notes that storytelling is widespread, and talks about how Breaking Bad and other media inform her writing, and Pete and Natalia talk about “ripple effects” in stories
At about 27:05, Natalia talks about “ ‘Eureka’ moment” that have given her the impetus to continue; she cites supportive teachers
At about 29:45, Natalia responds to Pete’s questions about nonfiction and fiction, and she talks about lessons learned from both and how she honed her craft using both
At about 33:20, Pete shares a borrowed quote that speaks to the power of fiction
At about 33:45, Pete asks Natalia about how she did so well writing about the Mexican-American experience in Everyone Knows You Go Home, as well as feedback about the book and her research for the book
At about 38:45, Natalia summarizes her 2020 YA book, Running
At about 39:40, Natalia and Pete discuss YA books, Natalia’s light touch with slang, and banned books “mature themes” in YA literature like her book
At about 43:55, Pete and Natalia discuss Anthony Ruiz, the father and POTUS candidate from the book; Natalia discusses the spark for the book
At about 46:30, Natalia outlines the real-life connections between events of the book and happenings in Florida around 2018
At about 48:25, Natalia talks about “research” for the book, some of which was intentional and some was simply “drawing from experiences”
At about 50:55, Pete and Natalia discuss the younger characters of the book, especially the protagonist Mariana/Mari and their connections to injustice and political decisions as Pete compliments Natalia for not “dumbing it down” for young readers
At about 52:55, Natalia expands upon the background of Juliana Ruiz, Mari’s mother, and including the ways in which she was present in early drafts of the book
At about 56:45, the two discuss Mari and her gaining of strength and “positive mob mentality” as Pete reads some dynamic quotes from the book that illustrate this and other themes like independence; especially action/inaction as key in the book
At about 58:30, Natalia reads an excerpt from the book that deals with Mari’s favorite memory with her father
At about 1:03:00, Natalia sets up a reading of an excerpt that deals with “I Love Lucy” by talking about her own love for and connections to the show
At about 1:06:45, Natalia talks about upcoming work, including the book set to be published in 2022, Breathe and Count Back from Ten, and themes of fitting in that excite Natalia about writing for the youth of today and her younger self
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for the next episode, a conversation with Father Greg Boyle, the legendary yet humble Jesuit priest who has been lauded worldwide as the founder and director of Homeboy Industries, the world's largest gang-intervention and rehabilitation program, and for his transcendent talks and books. The former pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles, his latest book is The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, and it came out on October 19. The episode will air on October 26.
Episode 77 with Danielle Fuentes Morgan, Professor at Santa Clara University and Expert and Nuanced Chronicler of Pop Culture through her Book, Laughing to Keep from Dying: African American Satire
Episode 76 with Mirin Fader, Heartfelt Chronicler, In-Depth Reporter, and Author of Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP, The New York Times Bestseller
Episode 75 with Marcos Bretón, Veteran Sportswriter, Insightful, Strong-Willed, and Honest Sacramento Bee Columnist, and McClatchy Company’s California Opinion Editor.
Episode 74 with Memoirist and Journalist and Dogged Pursuer of the Truth, Jean Guerrero, Author of Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, and Crux: A Cross-Border Memoir
Episode 73 with Roberto Lovato: Lightshiner and Truthteller-The Brilliant Excavator of Past Travesties and Author of the Incredible Memoir, Unforgetting
Episode 72 with Precise and Impassioned Poet, Creative, Radio Host, Teacher, and Founder of Southern Collective Experience, Clifford Brooks
Episode 71 with Music and Book Reviewer Extraordinaire and Author of the Dynamic, Educational, and Deeply-Researched Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded
Episode 70 with The "Master Craftsman with Astonishing Depth," and "Writer of the World," John Domini, the Author of 2021's The Archeology of a Good Ragù
Episode 69 with Observant Veteran Sportswriter Based in Tokyo and Author of the Well-Researched and Engrossing Going 15 Rounds with Jerry Izenberg, Ed Odeven
Episode 68 with The Hilarious, Profound, and Talented Writer of the Standout Debut Short Story Collection, Give My Love to the Savages, Chris Stuck
Episode 67 with Keen Observer, Fearless Fighter for Justice, and Food and Culture Writer, Esther Tseng
Episode 66 with Deep-Thinker, Aesthete, and Passionate Poet and Podcaster, Gabrielle Bates
Episode 65, with Natalie Lima, Master Essayist and Chronicler of the Universal and the Personal
Episode 64 with Director, Producer, Writer and Passionate, Award-Winning Storyteller for ESPN's 30 for 30 and E60, Martin Khodabakhshian
Episode 63 with Detail-Oriented, Master Storyteller about Sports and Beyond, and Author of Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between, Eric Nusbaum
Episode 62 with Poet, Activist, Actor and Powerful Performer, Donté Clark, Inspiration for Romeo is Bleeding
Episode 61 with Humor Writer for The Onion, Mad Magazine, and More: Funnyman, Dave Croatto
Episode 60 with the Immensely Cerebral and Passionate Poet Andrew Liu, Creator of California Metaphysics
Episode 59 with The Standout Crime Fiction Writer and Creator of Countless Compelling Characters, Tod Goldberg
Episode 58 with The Talented Writer and Comic Genius (and also WWE's Dr. Shelby!) Mike Aspinwall
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Anne of Avonlea
The Turn of the Screw
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends