mayra lazara dole
The instant I received notice that Harper Collins was publishing Down to the Bone, I called my non English-speaking mom and spoke to her in Spanish.
“Mami, a miracle has happened. Harper Collins is publishing my novel!”
“¡Felizidades, Mayrita! Who is Happy Collie?”
“Not ‘Happy Collie,’ Mami.” I repeated slowly, “Harrrrper Collins.”
After making me repeat the name a dozen times, she scolded, “¡Ay, Chica! Tell me already. Who is Happy Colic?”
“Harper Collins is one of the best publishers in the Universe. Harper Collins is like Coca Cola, that’s how big and good they are.”
Mami yelled to my stepfather–may he rest in peace–who was watching a telenovela in the bedroom, “Happy Cola is publishing Mayrita’s novel, Daw to dee Baw!”
“Down to the Bone, Mami.”–I didn’t dare say what the novel was about or she’d have died of an instant cerebral hemorrage.
OK. So after Mami thought that a publisher in a division of the Coca Cola company had taken an interest in my book, and I couldn’t get her to pronounce the title correctly, she asked the fatal question: “What’s it about?”
My heart stopped. “It’s about, er… love, friendship and family.” Whew!
“I can’t wait till it comes out in Spanish so I can read it.”
“Me too!” I threw her a kiss and hung up fast. I called my best friend at her mom’s house.
Her non-English Speaking mom answered the phone. I blasted in Spanish, “My novel is being published by Harper Collins!”
“Apa who?”
“Harrrper Collins,” I repeated, not “Apa.”
“Happy Cowlick?”
“No. Listen carefully,” Harrrper Coh-llins.”
“¡Que bueno! ¡Un beso, Mayrita! Congrachoolachions! ¡Hyper Collie!”
* Bio
I was born in Havana Cuba and raised in exotic Miami. In my teens, I worked odd jobs as a hairstylist, library assistant, drummer and dancer, while writing and volunteering in an ESL tutorial program where I taught Central Americans how to speak English. My poetry and short stories have been published by Cipher Journal: A Journal of Literary Translation, Palabra: a paper magazine of literary art, Velvet, a UK paper magazine, and Ambiente Magazine. One of my children’s books, Drum, Chavi, Drum! or Birthday in the Barrio, is in the process of being turned into an animated children’s film. Before I started writing full-time, my jobs were: landscape designer and “chef.” I’m passionate about promoting laughter, acceptance, Green-living and literacy.
Down to the Bone, by Mayra Lazara Dole, nominated for ALA Best Books for 2009. Awards: The Rainbow Project , Americas Award Commended Title, Tayshas Reading List 2009-2010, Booklist’s Top Ten Novels, CCBC Top Choices, Starred ALA Booklist review.
UTC000000UTC4628am08, thUTCp29UTC02bUTCThu, 28 Feb 2008 01:29:46 +0000 04, 2007 at 1:29 am
You made me laugh today!
Also wanted to tell you–I loved Down to the Bone! I’ll be posting a review of it on my blog soon, but for now let me just say it was awesome :-)
UTC000000UTC5228pm08, thUTCp29UTC02bUTCThu, 28 Feb 2008 12:03:52 +0000 04, 2007 at 12:03 pm
So psyched I made you laugh, Jocelyn, and that you found my book “awesome!” http://teenbookreview.wordpress.com is an incredible resource. It’s inconcievable that you want to read 366 books in one year.
UTC000000UTC1828pm08, thUTCp29UTC02bUTCThu, 28 Feb 2008 15:54:18 +0000 04, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Thanks! I’m kind of behind right now on that goal, though summer can be catch-up time.
UTC000000UTC0729pm08, thUTCp31UTC03bUTCSat, 29 Mar 2008 22:48:07 +0000 04, 2007 at 10:48 pm
“hapi colli” sounds like something my grandmother would say. After all, my family shops at “Trader Yo’s”.
UTC000000UTC3129pm08, thUTCp31UTC03bUTCSat, 29 Mar 2008 22:55:31 +0000 04, 2007 at 10:55 pm
: )
UTC000000UTC3105pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCFri, 05 Sep 2008 18:46:31 +0000 04, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Very Funny! I can’t wait to read this book.
UTC000000UTC3605pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCFri, 05 Sep 2008 18:52:36 +0000 04, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Hey Edith! Would love to hear back from you after you read it. : )
UTC000000UTC1806pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCSat, 06 Sep 2008 18:23:18 +0000 04, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Hello and Wow Estoy tan feliz! I’m so proud this book has been written by a latina for lesbian latinas… What I would be most thrilled to know is if my Spanish speaking-only novia will be able to read it… Will Happy Cola publish it in Spanish as well?
Besos gracias que orgullo!
UTC000000UTC4006pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCSat, 06 Sep 2008 19:30:40 +0000 04, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Gracias, Kathleen! Mi novela isn’t just for Latina lesbians, but it’s about Latina lesbians and written by a Cuban-born lesbo! : ) I have high hopes that Harper Collins (Happy Cola) will translate my book into Spanish. Write them at Harper Teen and ask them to! What a great comment to receive today. Thanks again! Ps. If you’re on MySpace, find me there (tienes un nombre Americano).
UTC000000UTC4907am08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCSun, 07 Sep 2008 00:57:49 +0000 04, 2007 at 12:57 am
It’s about time!!! .. ya era hora!! Que orgullo… i Can’t wait to read this!!!
UTC000000UTC3807am08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCSun, 07 Sep 2008 05:45:38 +0000 04, 2007 at 5:45 am
ROFL! OMG this was hilarious! That is how my aunt would talk her english hahaha. Man I cant wait to read it, I havent seen it out on major book stores though?.
UTC000000UTC4407pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCSun, 07 Sep 2008 12:19:44 +0000 04, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Gracias Diana! : ) I can’t wait till you read it!
UTC000000UTC2907pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCSun, 07 Sep 2008 12:25:29 +0000 04, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Michie! If you’re on Facebook, friend me!
UTC000000UTC4908pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCMon, 08 Sep 2008 17:18:49 +0000 04, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Thank you for your gracious response Senorita Dole! Ya se, ya se, my name was picked out of one of those romance novels my mexicana mother read religiously, even though my godmother begged her to baptize me as Rocio. Everyone calls me Kati (ca-tee) so no worries! I would love for my girlfriend to read this novel, because I’m tired of having to enjoy literature by myself! And I will definitely find you on myspace, so that you can add me…Con mucho carino, Kati
p.s. there is a little bookstore here in Tucson, Antigone Books (lesbian owned and operated) that I would encourage everyone to shop for your book…
UTC000000UTC0808pm08, thUTCp30UTC09bUTCMon, 08 Sep 2008 17:38:08 +0000 04, 2007 at 5:38 pm
for KATI ROCIO KATHLEEN
Kati, el nombre Kathleen, escogido de una novelita Mexicana de amor, es bello, y Rocio, es también un nombre hermoso. ¡Tu mamá tiene buen gusto en nombres! Mi mamá escogió mi nombre de una telenovela Cubana romántica. Que locura, nuestras madres! ¡Espero que tu novia lea mi novela ye que le guste! Recommending people to Antigone Books, a lesbo owned and operated store, is fantastic. I also encourage people to buy at small bookstores. Thanks you so much! : ) Love your comments. Regards to your girlfriend.
UTC000000UTC4521pm09, stUTCp30UTC04bUTCTue, 21 Apr 2009 15:58:45 +0000 04, 2007 at 3:58 pm
hello cubanita!….hoy termine de leer ur book and let me tell you it was awesome o like my dad say estuvo chevere o my mom que es mexican dice estuvo chido.Bueno
UTC000000UTC4221pm09, stUTCp30UTC04bUTCTue, 21 Apr 2009 16:03:42 +0000 04, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Dayamy,
psyched you loved my book!
UTC000000UTC5620pm09, thUTCp31UTC05bUTCWed, 20 May 2009 20:08:56 +0000 04, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Just finished reading Down to the Bone… Congratulations! You have written a marvelous novel — one that any teenager (LGBTQ or not) will enjoy!
I am a librarian in Chicago and will definitely recommend this book to my patrons…
Keep writing! Can’t wait for your next work…
With good wishes,
UTC000000UTC4620pm09, thUTCp31UTC05bUTCWed, 20 May 2009 20:48:46 +0000 04, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Thanks so much, Jo! You’ve made my day! I particularly love it when librarians appreciates my work. If per chance you’re a member of GOODREADS, please rate my book. : ) If you’re on Facebook, come and “friend” me. Gracias, Jo!
UTC000000UTC2025pm09, thUTCp31UTC05bUTCMon, 25 May 2009 15:41:20 +0000 04, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Hi,
I am Maja from Berlin, Germany, Europe and just found your page accidentaly through the Cuban food site, since I’m planning a wedding for my mom with Cuba as subject. Liked your text on Cuban cuisine and the recipes you listed. So I thought why not visit the homepage. Your story about your mom just made my day. It just reminded me so much of my mother-in-law (from Marocco) and a lot of girls I’ve met here in Berlin with parents from Turkey, and even my sister in Syria who has struggles with ppl pronouncing her name right. For a moment it just felt so much like home in your lines.
thx for sharing
best regards and much success
Maja***
UTC000000UTC0725pm09, thUTCp31UTC05bUTCMon, 25 May 2009 16:02:07 +0000 04, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Hey Maja,
It was such a warm feeling to know that my culture reminds you of people you know from such far-away cultures, such as Morocco and Turkey. I’m glad my writing made you feel like “home.” Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings with me!
Take good care,
Mayra
UTC000000UTC1310pm09, thUTCp31UTC10bUTCSat, 10 Oct 2009 19:00:13 +0000 04, 2007 at 7:00 pm
This is too funny! It made my day! : )
UTC000000UTC1910pm09, thUTCp31UTC10bUTCSat, 10 Oct 2009 19:09:19 +0000 04, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Ha! psyched u liked it.