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Latino Soul Featured Author

Kathy Cano Murillo

Kathy Cano Murillo

Place of Residence: Phoenix, Arizona

LS Story: “Dad, the Rock Star of Tamale Makers”

Literary Muse:
I got the itch to write in fifth grade. Let's just say I was "inspired" by a comical family cupcake fight at the dinner table between my dad, my mom and myself--and then my brother by default. I found it so hilarious that I wrote an essay about it for “Show and Tell” the next day at class and read it out loud. All the fifth grade roared with laughter, and I loved that rush of pulling out those kinds of emotions from others. I haven't stopped since. These days I share other people's stories as an entertainment reporter for the Arizona Republic and I still do the "Show & Tell" gig on my own kooky family life at my blog (http://www.craftychica.com/blogs/diary ) and in my books.

Favorite writers:
I *heart* memoir. It started in grade school after reading Erma Bombeck's If Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries Why Am I In The Pits? Now I enjoy David Sedaris, Laurie Notaro and Michele Serros. I'm also big into chick lit and women's fiction: Jennifer Weiner, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, Lynda Sandoval. I read a novel a month, I'm hooked.

Published Books:
I've authored five non-fictions books, all on using art as way to make your mark in the world. Making Shadow Boxes & Shrines (Rockport) is a book on assemblage art. La Casa loca: Latino Style Comes Home (Rockport) is a book on making Latino-themed decor items for your home and wardrobe. I got tired of finding the same old import merchandise at stores, so I made my own line. I wrote the book as a gift to other Latinos so they could make their own items as well. I also wrote two teen crafting books, The Crafty Diva's DIY Style Book and The Crafty Diva's Lifestyle Makeover (both Watson Guptill). The first one won an award from the New York Public Library as One of the Best Books for Teens of 2004. These two books were important to me because I have a 12-year-old daughter and I wanted these titles to have empowering content to motivate young girls to exercise their creative and designer muscle.

My fifth book is what I consider my "break out" book-- it's called Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life. It’s by Rayo Books, an imprint of Harper Collins. It includes memoir, how-to projects, as well as all kinds of inspiring ideas. It comes out in February, 2006. I'm currently working on another non-fiction book for Rayo, a funky and fashionable sewing book.

And (drum roll)... a novel! Last year I participated in National Novel Writing Month (http://www.NaNoWriMo.org) and completed my first draft. I've slaved over it all year and I'm now working with my agent on fine tuning it before it goes up for sale to publishers.

The Crafty Chica's General Advice to Readers:
My advice to everyone is to read, read and read some more! And let's BUY our Latino books to support our authors to open the market wider, keep it thriving and prove that we have strong buying power when it comes to books!

Interview with Kathy Cano Murillo:

  1. Susan: As a working mom and super-enchufada crafty chica who wears many hats, how do you find time to write? Do you have an inspiring muse?
  2. Kathy: It's not a muse or ritual, it's survival--the middle of the night! I work during the day, run an art business, two web sites, two kids, my craft books, the list goes on. The only free time I have is when the rest of the world is snoring. The house is quiet and there are no interruptions. I'm so dedicated to my novel that I write/edit from 10 p.m.- 2:30 am two-three times a week. I have no compassion for those who say they don't have time to write. If you want it bad enough, you WILL find the time. End of story.
  3. Susan: Do you belong to any writers’ groups?
  4. Kathy: Yes! It was the best move I ever made. There are five of us and we meet once a month. We take turns reading and critiquing chapters from each other. I've learned sooooo much from my writer's group. Sometimes when you are working on a book, you are so close to the topic, it all seems familiar. When you are in a writer's group with people from different backgrounds and experiences, they can point out the weak spots and questions you never would have thought of. I highly suggest doing this. I always leave my group energized and amped--I often work well into the middle of the night after a meeting because I'm so excited at what I learned.
  5. Susan: Why do you think that Latino Soul is an important book that people will want to read?   What does this book mean to you?
  6. Kathy: It feels so exhilarating to be included in this collection. The stories and poems are so passionate and personal. I haven't met any of the other writers in person, but I feel we are a sort of family. We all had a special story that we were determined to share and went that extra step to put it together on paper and send it in. In addition, we put out the same kind of positive energy to the universe make it happen--to make our pieces stand out enough to be chosen out of thousands of entries. Even though our backgrounds and experiences are so diverse, we are all united in that way, as well as our culture.
  7. Susan: How did you first hear about Latino Soul?
  8. Kathy:  In one week I got bombarded with emails from friends and followers of my web site who heard about it and thought one of my blog entries would be a good fit. I was so happy to discover a book like this was coming out!
  9. Susan: How did your family and friends react when they heard that you were going to be published in Latino Soul? 
  10. Kathy: My parents were very proud of me. My story is about my dad, and it felt so awesome to give him the book and watch him open the page to the story and read it. I had goose bumps galore. When he was done, he looked me, his eyes twinkling, and said "Thank you." It meant the world to me!
  11. Susan: Are you doing any readings, signings, or other promotion in the near future (for Latino Soul or for other publications)?  Where and when? 
  12. Kathy: I'm always teaching workshops, giving readings and bumping into people--therefore I always carry my books with me to share. I've read my CS story at various events for Hispanic Heritage Month.
  13. Susan: What do you hope people will take from your story or poem? 
  14. Kathy: I hope it makes them recall their own comical scenarios from family functions and celebrate them. Every family has its wacky, lovable, unbelievable, gasp-worthy, soda pop sprays out of your nose funny moments. They are worth documenting just as much as the serious memories.

Susan: Thank you, Kathy…. I love your story because it´s so fun, and allows me to relive many of the comical stories that circulate in my own family.  It reminds me of some of my own loving relatives who have a sadistic but hilarious sense of humor!

If you’re in a spicy mood today, and ready for a good belly laugh, listen to Kathy Cano Murillo reading her story on podcast #5 (to read her story yourself, click here). ¡And hat's off to Kathy's father for being the Latino Soul featured Tamale Maestro!

Books by Kathy Cano Murillo (all available on amazon.com and at major booksellers)

  • Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life, Rayo
         Books, forthcoming, 2006.
  • The Crafty Diva's Lifestyle Makeover: Awesome Ideas To Spice Up Your
        Life, Watson-Guptill Publications, 2005
  • The Crafty Diva's D.I. Y. Stylebook: A Grrrl's Guide to Cool Creations You Can
         Make, Show Off, and Share, Watson-Guptill Publications, 2004
  • La Casa Loca: Latino Style Comes Home 45 Funky Craft Projects for
         Decorating & Entertaining, Rockport Publishers, 2003
  • Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines, Rockport Publishers, 2002

Crafty Chica Press Release, Oct, 2005: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/10/prweb301245.htm

Website: http://www.CraftyChica.com

Podcast: http://craftychicapodcast.blogspot.com  

Blog:       http://www.craftychica.com/blogs/diary