(as shared by Dr. Melissa Hidalgo at Cal State San Bernardino and at the National Association Chicana/Chicano Studies Conference, 2014) Because we craved permission to be despondent in English Desperate for words to hide erections for other boys behind Trapper Keepers, to document Kotex leaks in our journals We needed To be maudlin about being … Continue reading A Lover’s Letter to Morrissey
KCET Communities: “Pioneers of Artistic Revolution: Making Art and Space in Southeast L.A.
As part of an ongoing project about the importance of the 710 corridor in Los Angeles, Vickie Vertiz contributed an article about the arts, teachers, and artists in Southeast Los Angeles, where she grew up. She names a few writers who also document the lives of the people in Southeast L.A., such as Steve Gutierrez's … Continue reading KCET Communities: “Pioneers of Artistic Revolution: Making Art and Space in Southeast L.A.
Pets, a video poem
This poem is included in the collection, Swallows.
El Monte Forever: A Brief History of Michael Jaime-Becerra
As the third installment of the Tropics of Meta series, East of East: Mapping Community Narratives in South El Monte and El Monte, in collaboration with the South El Monte Arts Posse, Vickie Vertiz contributed the essay, "El Monte Forever: A Brief History of Michael Jaime-Becerra." The project is an anthology about the diverse histories, communities, and cultures of … Continue reading El Monte Forever: A Brief History of Michael Jaime-Becerra
Vertiz Hosts UC Riverside MFA Reading Series
Join Vickie Vertiz this school year as she hosts UC Riverside's graduate student reading series. Come hear crisp stories, dangerous poems, and legends about sorrow, robots, and much more. Featured readers from UCR: Aleksandr Peterson, Derrick Ortega, Amanda Ruud, and more. Special guests: Chad Sweeney, and Cal State San Bernardino MFA students: Tristan Acker, K.L. Straight., Elisha … Continue reading Vertiz Hosts UC Riverside MFA Reading Series
http://vimeo.com/74256993 In May of this year, Aimee Suzara and I had a joint book release party in El Monte. If you couldn't come to Legg Lake for the carne asada release party, now you can see it thanks to the folks at South El Monte Arts Posse and Henry Pacheco. Gracias and enjoy!
South El Monte Arts Posse: A Birthday Party Book Release Video
ROAR SHACK- It Takes a Year
Vickie will join the Roar Shack Reading Series in July for their Live Write! Live Writing is a thrilling feat of writerly improvisation. As you arrive, you get to vote on a prompt. The winning prompt will be revealed to four intrepid authors – two of us and two of you audience types, onstage for … Continue reading ROAR SHACK- It Takes a Year
Swallows Book Release Parties, Bay Area, June 7-9th
Come celebrate the official release of Swallows, my poetry collection just out from Finishing Line Press. Friday, June 7th ScholarMatch & McSweeney's offices, 849 Valencia Street at 19th St., from 7-8 pm Featuring Maya Chinchilla, Emilie Coulson, Kenji Liu, Aimee Suzara and special guests. Saturday, June 8 At Aimee Suzara's Finding the Bones book release … Continue reading Swallows Book Release Parties, Bay Area, June 7-9th
Vértiz Featured on KCET’s Departures
As part of the reading series "LAnguage" at the Last Bookstore hosted by Mike the PoeT Sonkensen, Vickie Vértiz was featured in an article on KCET's "Departures" website. Vickie is thrilled to be included in such an amazing group of women, including Gloria Alvarez, Marisa Urrutia Gedney, Rachelle Cruz, Zoe Ruiz, and many other talented … Continue reading Vértiz Featured on KCET’s Departures
Video Poem- “Pets”
Kenji Liu directed a video poem for my new poetry book SWALLOWS. Click here to listen and watch, "Pets." Dolores del Rio makes a cameo (and so do some chickens).
The Next Big Thing- Swallows
First I'd like to thank Arisa White for inviting me to be a part of The Next Big Thing, a blog-tagging project for writers who recently published a book. Arisa's latest collection, A Penny Saved, is a riveting example of her multi-faceted, brilliant poetry. What is the title of your book? Swallows What is the … Continue reading The Next Big Thing- Swallows
KPFA with Luis Rodriguez and Ching-In Chen, Tuesday, February 11, 2013
Tune in to KPFA 94.1 FM, the Bay Area's Pacifica station, next Tuesday for "Pinay Poet on Setting the Standard." Vickie will join award-winning Luis Rodriguez (ALWAYS RUNNING); Lee Herrick (GARDENING SECRETS OF THE DEAD), and Ching-In Chen (THE HEART'S TRAFFIC). They'll discuss getting their work into the world as writers and cultural workers. They … Continue reading KPFA with Luis Rodriguez and Ching-In Chen, Tuesday, February 11, 2013
Reading at Skylight Books, Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:30pm
Join Vickie as she reads from her new book Swallows at Rainbow Gathering 4. It's the fourth installment of UC Riverside's ongoing reading series that invites graduate students from the Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts department to share their work with peers and others. So please, join us for a night of … Continue reading Reading at Skylight Books, Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:30pm
An Excerpt from the new collection, Swallows
Tocaya There's an i and an e at the end of my name Mom and Dad did not pick the last vowels But they did have the concept: breathing, baby, girl Mom says the black nurse who spelled me White teeth smacking peppermint gum My name is a reference to Victoria My other half who … Continue reading An Excerpt from the new collection, Swallows
Swallows Pre-sale: Saturday, December 15, 2012
Pre-order the poetry collection, Swallows, starting December 15, 2012 from Finishing Line Press.
Riverside Youth Opportunity Center Open Mic
Join me as I host the Youth Opportunity Center Open Mic this Friday, December 7, 4-6 PM. Come witness the artistic talents of some of Riverside's most gifted young people. 2060 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92507
