#NuevasPáginas: "Emotional landscapes"
with Orlando Ortega-Medina author of 'The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants'
Hey Book Franz,
How are you doing? If you missed my last #NuevasPáginas issue, I mentioned the fact that I’m asking because I genuinely want to know. Please feel free to let me know how you are feeling in the comments. I want this to be a space you can lean on with so much going on in the world. If you prefer to keep it private, feel free to reply to this email.
I am trying very hard to navigate stress. I don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but there are parts of me that work very hard to protect me from tough ongoing news in the world by distracting me with other things, making jokes, or feeling like this is all happening to someone else. I’m not great at processing things in real-time. That means I carry a lot of unprocessed stress, and it shows up physically in my body. I share that to say that I hope you can find some time to check in with yourself. Be kind to yourself and give yourself grace. Do something that brings you joy.
One of the things that brings me joy is getting to introduce you all to new Latine authors via these emails. Reading through this interview reminded me that we have books, and we have each other.
In bookish love,
#NuevasPáginas is a space that aims to amplify and spotlight Hispanic/Latine/x authors with newly published books. The goal is to connect readers to their next favorite Hispanic/Latine/x authored book through a mini casual get-to-know-the-book-and-author interview. So please help me connect to more readers. So that together we can continue to build the love/support of Latine literature!
Without further ado…our special guest author for today’s Nuevas Pagina issue is…Orlando Ortega-Medina author of The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants!
Could you tell me a bit about where this photo was taken? Is it special to your book in some way?
This photo was taken at the launch event for The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants at Book Soup in West Hollywood, California. During my time at UCLA, Book Soup was my favorite bookstore due to its fierce independence and its ability to attract intriguing and notable authors for events. Being able to launch my novel there was a dream come true. In the photo, you can see Daniel A. Olivas (author of Chicano Frankenstein and How to Date a Flying Mexican), who interviewed me at the event, standing beside me, along with my husband William. Together, we represent three distinct Latino identities—Mexican, Cuban, and Salvadoran—which is something I strive to highlight in my books to challenge the stereotype that all Latinos are homogenous.
Tell me about your book without telling me about your book - share any literary inspirations behind your book! If there are none, the gap you wanted to fill in the literary canon with your book
While The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants is known for its compelling blend of family drama and legal thriller elements, its heart lies in exploring the intricate journeys of migration to and from the United States. Inspired by a rich tapestry of characters hailing from Cuba, Mexico, El Salvador, Lebanon, Syria, England, Canada, and Japan, the novel reflects diverse personal narratives shaped by the immigrant experiences. This diversity of nationalities represents a unique contribution aimed at enriching the literary canon.
What conversations do you hope your book stirs up?
While we're familiar with what draws many immigrants to the United States, my novel explores the lesser-known reality of what compels people, including native-born Americans like the main characters in my book and myself, to leave. This is a conversation I hope my novel will spark.
What was something you learned while writing your book? In what ways did it change you?
I initially wrote the first draft of my novel years ago and was discouraged from finishing it due to some negative feedback. I put it away and forgot about it. During one of the COVID quarantines, I stumbled across it again and decided to dust it off and rewrite it. I sent the revised version to Michael Nava, Managing Editor of Amble Press and a talented novelist himself, and within a month, I had a publishing contract. This experience taught me that what may seem like a lost cause at one point in life can turn into a brilliant opportunity later on. It has made me more optimistic.
If a book was home, where would your home be?
If my book were a home, it would be a sprawling desert retreat, where unending vistas of land and sky stretch in all directions without boundaries to delineate ownership. This metaphorical home embodies the mysterious vastness and yearning for freedom that resonate through the narrative. Inside, each room would be adorned with vibrant paintings reflecting the diverse journeys of its characters, capturing the essence of migration, family dynamics, and personal identity. The atmosphere would be serene yet filled with the echoes of stories, offering readers a sanctuary to explore the intricate emotions and experiences woven into its pages.
If your book was a famous musician who would it be?
If my book were a famous musician, it would be Joan Baez. Like Baez's music, my book resonates with themes of justice, identity, and the human experience. Baez's powerful voice and commitment to social activism mirror the narrative of my book, which explores the complexities of migration, family dynamics, and personal transformation. Just as Baez's music inspires introspection and empathy, my book invites readers to delve into the emotional landscapes of its characters, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and the universal quest for belonging. Both Baez's music and my book aim to provoke thought and conversation, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the richness of human diversity.
What comfort food could a reader pair with your book?
If my book were a comfort food, it would be a warm bowl of homemade pozole – vegan for me. Just as pozole is a hearty and nourishing dish that brings together diverse ingredients in a harmonious blend, my book weaves together the rich flavors of migration stories, family dynamics, and personal journeys. The comforting warmth of pozole reflects the emotional depth and resonance of the characters' experiences, inviting readers to savor each chapter like a spoonful of broth, filled with layers of texture and flavor. Enjoying a bowl of pozole while reading my book would enhance the sensory experience, providing both sustenance and satisfaction as the narrative unfolds.
In what ways has access (or little to no access) to Hispanic/Latinx/e literature defined you as a writer?
Growing up, my literary journey was deeply rooted in the classics of American and British literature, as well as a fascination with science fiction. Hispanic/Latinx literature was not readily accessible to me during those formative years. This absence prompted me to explore universal themes and storytelling techniques from the perspectives I did encounter. It challenged me to blend my own cultural experiences with broader literary traditions, creating a unique voice that draws from diverse influences. As a writer, this journey has shaped my approach to storytelling, inspiring me to bridge cultural gaps and highlight diverse narratives in my work. While my early exposure may have been limited, it sparked a passion for inclusivity and representation in literature, driving me to contribute meaningfully to the rich tapestry of Hispanic/Latinx storytelling today.
Where can readers keep up with your work?
All my books are available for purchase online and in some bookstores and libraries. I also have social media accounts with Instagram and X where I spout off from time to time.
Thank you to Orlando Ortega-Medina for taking the time to chat with me about his book! Please please make sure you purchase a copy (or request your local library carry a copy) #SupportLatinxLit!
I also wanted to share the good news that a few days after I got to chat with Orlando he was notified that The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants was longlisted for The Polari Book Prize. He share the following with me about it via email:
“The Polari Book Prize is the UK’s premier LGBTQ+ literary prize. They rarely list books with Latinx protagonists due to obvious demographic factors. As such, I’m particularly proud of this achievement and the visibility it brings to our community here in the UK!”
A huge congratulations to Orlando!
Orlando Ortega-Medina was born in Los Angeles to immigrants from Latin America. He studied English Literature at UCLA and has a Juris Doctor law degree from Southwestern University School of Law. At university, he won the National Society of Arts and Letters Award for Short Stories.
Following his admission to the bar in 1992, Ortega-Medina practiced criminal defence in Los Angeles. After four years, Ortega-Medina moved his practice to San Francisco in 1997, where he transitioned to representing clients in appeals and deportation defence.
In August 1999, Ortega-Medina and his life partner expatriated to Canada. And in 2005, taking advantage of Canada’s recognition of same-sex marriage, he and his life partner were among the first same-sex couples to marry at Montreal’s Hotel de Ville.
Ortega-Medina’s short story collection Jerusalem Ablaze was shortlisted for The Polari First Book Prize (2017). In 2018, he was named the Marilyn Hassid Emerging Author for the Houston Jewish Book & Arts Festival. He is the author of four novels novels, The Death of Baseball (2019), The Savior of 6th Street (2020), The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants (2023), and, forthcoming, Emerald Road (2025). Ortega-Medina lives in London.
Synopsis for The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants:
International Latino Book Awards 2024--Best LGBTQ+ Themed Book (Honorable Mention)
Award-winning author and immigration attorney Orlando Ortega-Medina returns to 1990s San Francisco in The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants, a powerful family drama that plays out within a captivating legal thriller.
Attorney Marc Mendes, the estranged son of a prominent rabbi and a burned-out lawyer with addiction issues, plots his exit from the big city to a more peaceful life in idyllic Napa Valley. But before he can realize his dream, the US government summons his Salvadoran life-partner Isaac Perez to immigration court, threatening him with deportation.
As Marc battles to save Isaac, his world is further upended by a dark and alluring client, who aims to tempt him away from his messy life. Torn between his commitment to Isaac and the pain-numbing escapism offered by his client, Marc is forced to choose between the lesser of two evils while confronting his twin demons of past addiction and guilt over the death of his first lover.
The Fitful Sleep of Immigrants is an extraordinary and timely tale about the value of family and friendship, loyalty and love, in the face of adversity.
