On Punk Brujas
with Desideria Mesa author of 'Bindle Punk Bruja'
#NuevasPaginasconLupita is a space that is both an archive and resource aimed to "spotlight" Hispanic/Latinx/e authors with newly published books. The goal is to connect readers to new and/or old favorite Hispanic/Latinx/e authors and their books! So give this & every post a share to help us reach more readers!
How does it work?!
Here’s the deal, I came up with a set of casual/random/funny questions to ask each Hispanic/Latinx/e author, I interview. For now, the questions will all be the same but maybe in the future I’ll launch this into more specific questions to the author or maybe I’ll turn this series into a mini-podcast, or maybe……well, you get it! The possibilities are endless.
If you are new here don’t forget to check out all the other amazing interviews! We also have a great line-up of guest authors coming up so make sure you don’t miss an issue by subscribing now!
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Hey Heyyy Book Franz!
As my kid has been saying all month long…..IT’S ALMOST HALLOWEEEEEEN and I’m excited to be bringing you some author interviews in theme with the spooky season. If Halloween isn’t your thing, I get that too, and appreciate you sticking with me through these next two interviews!
A reminder that next week Tuesday at 7:30 PM ET, I’ll be going live on Instagram with the President/Founder of Futuro Media - Maria Hinojosa! We’ll be discussing her memoir ‘Once I Was You’ which has been adapted for Young Readers. I’d love to have you join us and bring any questions you might have!!
For the #LupitasBookClub Besties:
The discussion post for our October book - Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin is live on TikTok!!!!!
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I’ll be launching the discussion thread for those that want to participate in the discussion via the newsletter tomorrow so stay tuned for that. Separately, if you are on TikTok - I’ll be going live there TOMORROW during my lunch break (Noon ET) to chat with folks about the movie adaption and all things Fever Dream! So catch the movie on Netflix and join us.
Without further ado, our special guest author for today’s issue is……Desideria Mesa author of Bindle Punk Bruja!
Could you tell me a bit about where this photo was taken? Is it special to your book in some way?
My author photo was taken in my first place after a major life change. The picture itself represents kind of a “taking back of self” and a statement of confidence in myself that I so badly needed.
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.
I read an old Mexican folktale about magic dirt and just knew I had to include it. It was about luck and greed, and was an awesome base to begin a magic system. My family’s journey from Mexico to America, and the journeys I encountered on my research, inspired the setting, time period, and main character, Luna. A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Makenzie Lee gave me the inspiration for using a fun, snarky voice to tackle difficult subjects and for a particular side character in my novel. If her main character hadn’t experienced her adventure in her novel, I think he might have become someone like Heck Kessler in Bindle Punk Bruja.
What are two central themes in your book that you connect with the most and why?
Identity and trust. Identity because knowing who you are is so important in the journey of self-acceptance as well as self-growth. And trust because we do need to trust in, not only ourselves, but those who around us and love us. We need each other.
If a book was home, where would your home be?
In an apartment above a jazz bar or in a cozy house in the city, filled with friends, family, and good food.
If your book was a famous musician who would it be?
It would probably be an old jazz band with a lead female singer like Bessie Smith or Ella Fitzgerald.
What comfort food could a reader pair with your book?
Mole, a Mexican chicken dish with a savory chocolate sauce
In what ways has access (or little to no access) to Hispanic/Latinx/e literature defined you as a writer?
There’s not as much in the mainstream American culture as I’d like to see, although, your list is one I’m thrilled about referencing from now on! But when Silvia Moreno Garcia began making waves with Mexican Gothic and Gods of Jade and Shadow, I was extremely excited.
Where can readers keep up with your work?
I mainly update my Instagram under Desi_Mesa and my Twitter account under @DesideriaMesa. I also have a Tiktok that I mess with occasionally with the same handle.
A huge thank you to Desideria Mesa for taking the time to chat with me about her book! Please please make sure you purchase a copy (or request your local library carry a copy) of her book #SupportLatinxLit!
Author Bio from Bookshop: Desideria Mesa is often found getting lost in a historical, sci-fi, or high fantasy novel or crafting her own stories, of course. Aside from churning out novels, she enjoys writing songs, poetry, and short stories.
Synopsis for Bindle Punk Bruja from Bookshop website:
Boardwalk Empire meets The Vanishing Half with a touch of earth magic in this sexy and action-packed historical fantasy set in the luminous Golden Twenties from debut author Desideria Mesa, where a part-time reporter and club owner takes on crooked city councilmen, mysterious and deadly mobsters, and society's deeply rooted sexism and racism, all while keeping her true identity and magical abilities hidden--inspired by an ancient Mexican folktale.
Yo soy quien soy. I am who I am.
Luna--or depending on who's asking, Rose--is the white-passing daughter of an immigrant mother who has seen what happens to people from her culture. This world is prejudicial, and she must hide her identity in pursuit of owning an illegal jazz club. Using her cunning powers, Rose negotiates with dangerous criminals as she climbs up Kansas City's bootlegging ladder. Luna, however, runs the risk of losing everything if the crooked city councilmen and ruthless mobsters discover her ties to an immigrant boxcar community that secretly houses witches. Last thing she wants is to put her entire family in danger.
But this bruja with ever-growing magical abilities can never resist a good fight. With her new identity, Rose, an unabashed flapper, defies societal expectations all the while struggling to keep her true self and witchcraft in check. However, the harder she tries to avoid scrutiny, the more her efforts eventually capture unwanted attention. Soon, she finds herself surrounded by greed and every brand of bigotry--from local gangsters who want a piece of the action and businessmen who hate her diverse staff to the Ku Klux Klan and Al Capone. Will her earth magic be enough to save her friends and family? As much as she hates to admit it, she may need to learn to have faith in others--and learning to trust may prove to be her biggest ambition yet.
This one is now on my ever growing list. :)