At 17, I dreamed of performing on the Friday night stage of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. That kid never would have believed a poet could rock for 16,000 at Barclays Center. Grateful beyond belief to be an #AXEpartner challenging gender stereotypes & championing these teens being their most authentic selves. Shoutout to my compadre KYLE & everyone at #WEDay UN for an incredible show.
Nearly 20 years ago, a poet visited my high school & altered the trajectory of my life—at a crossroads, where I was both beholden to & suffocating in the wreckage of machismo, he offered me an invitation toward the tenderness & vulnerability I needed like air.
That day, he wrote “Poeta del Futuro” in my copy of his book, without knowing that I’d been secretly writing poems of my own for months.
Tomorrow night, in the city I first met that poet, I will launch my first poetry book, with an Introduction from that poet: Martín Espada.
#Hijito is out TODAY.
Ways to support:
1️⃣ Buy it (for yourself, a friend, or your students/school library): https://www.spdbooks.org/Products/9781913007010/hijito.aspx
2️⃣ Review it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46011844-hijito or Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hijito-Carlos-Andres-Go…/…/1913007014
3️⃣ Catch me on my #HijitoBookTour & get a signed copy!: https://carloslive.com/upcoming-shows/
4️⃣ Teachers: Integrate #Hijito into your curriculum or include it in your next poetry unit. #TeachLivingPoets
5️⃣ Wish I was visiting you on my Book Tour? Let’s make it happen—bring me to your school or town: https://carloslive.com/booking/
6️⃣ Post photos of your favorite lines & poems from the book. You wouldn’t believe how much it means to an author to see a tweet or IG post about their book. Even a retweet/re-post showing love goes a long way.
7️⃣ Suggest #Hijito to your Book Club or Reading Group!
8️⃣ Interview me about the book for your podcast or publication.
9️⃣ Ask your local library or favorite bookstore to get #Hijito!
*Shoutout to @JulianThePoet & @JamelBrinkley, whose threads inspired this joint.
Completely overwhelmed with gratitude — “Hijito” is the #1 SPD bestseller. Wow.
Thank you to every single one of you who has bought the book.
#4.
Wild to see my book on any best seller list & with these astounding poets. & just beneath my brilliant buddy, t’ai freedom ford.
Hijito is not officially out until Sep. 5th but I’m already feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for the love folks have shown to this project I care so much about.
