When the News Is Simply Wonderful

Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt

I am thankful, of course, for the prize and thankful to God for each story, each idea, each word, each day.
Isaac Bashevis Singer


Back in May of this year, I submitted the manuscript of my second novel, Meet Me Under the Ceiba, for consideration of the 33rd Annual Chicano/Latino Literary Prize, awarded to the best unpublished novel.

And just last Wednesday I received this magnificent bit of news:


Dear Silvio,

On behalf of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of California, Irvine and the 33rd Chicano/Latino Literary Prize, I would like to congratulate you on winning First Prize. Listed below is the complete roster of winners.

The winners for the 2007 contest in the genre of Novel are:

1st Prize: Silvio Sirias - Meet Me Under the Ceiba
2nd Prize: Gary Winters - The Deer Dancer
3rd Prize: Ana-Maurine Lara - Anacaona's Daughter

Judge Rolando Hinojosa-Smith had the following to say about Meet Me Under Ceiba:

"It's a polished manuscript. The plot flows evenly and the background convinces . . . . What also works is the pacing; this gives the reader the opportunity to reflect and to go back mentally on what has been read. Pacing, then, allows the reader to collaborate with the writer, and Ceiba does this."

As a winner of the contest, you are invited to attend our awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 7, 2007.

The ceremony will take place in Humanities Instructional Building 135, and it will start promptly at 5:00 p.m. Please be prepared to read a small selection of your winning entry (10 minute maximum). Refreshments will be served immediately following the readings.

The Contest will provide you with round trip airfare and one night lodging (if needed) to attend the awards ceremony. A copy of your manuscript will be kept on file with the office of the Chicano/Latino Literary Prize.

Again, we thank you for your help in making the 33rd Chicano/Latino Literary Prize a success, and we hope that you continue to support our efforts by submitting further entries in the years to come.

Sincerely, Juan Bruce-Novoa, Director
Chicano/Latino Literary Prize


And the best part is that the prize includes publication of Meet Me Under the Ceiba.

California, here I come.