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“Hijito” is out TODAY. Ways to support:

#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.

#LatinxPoetry

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“Hijito” debuts at #4 on SPD Best Sellers list!

#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.

#LatinxPoetry

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First review of “Hijito”

“…a start to finish masterpiece that aims simultaneously for the head and the heart and never misses either.”

“Gómez is a special talent for the way he bends lived experiences into sublime poetry.

Sometimes poetry features unforgettable lines. Sometimes a collection has an unforgettable poem. But Hijito stands apart because it has both unforgettable lines and one of the best individual poems I’ve ever encountered.

Belying any reduction, Hijito stands tall, unmatched, is a shore on which I would crash and crash again. To be devastated only to be reminded how to float in the next breath.”

— Michael Prihoda, After the Pause (CLICK HERE to read the full review)

—

Dang—1st review of “Hijito.” Can’t adequately put into words how grateful I am to Michael Prihoda for saying all of this about my book. Thank you, After The Pause, for publishing this stunning review.

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On June 1st, 2005, I left my job as a social worker in Harlem for the last time…

On June 1st, 2005, I left my job as a social worker in Harlem for the last time & headed to my wardrobe fitting for “Inside Man.” Since that day, for more than 14 years, I’ve been a full-time, self-employed artist.

Since that afternoon I hopped the train to Fort Greene—I’ve acted in film, TV, & theater, did a month-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe, voiced video games, published a memoir, delivered a keynote to a couple hundred Latinx C-suite execs, performed at the Obama White House, got my MFA, headlined nearly 950 college shows, performed in 25 countries across 5 continents (& int’l festivals in Indonesia, Australia, South Africa, Palestine, Spain, Canada, Sri Lanka, Germany, Cambodia, & Ireland), starred in & co-wrote a bilingual safer sex PSA that won an Emmy, had a few poems go viral, & collaborated with John Legend & Denzel & Savion & Spike & KYLE & Tamilla Woodard & Melody Guy & & & & & & …

More significant than any of the above: I’ve gotten rejected—hundreds of times for each tiny milestone & breakthrough. Literally, thousands at this point, across a multitude of artistic mediums. Just last year, my most prolific year of publishing my poems ever, I received 104 rejections. I’m aiming for triple digits again this year.
(& that’s a metaphor that can be scaled across all creative disciplines I dabble in.)

I have no idea what shape my career will take next, & I can’t wait to find out.
What a ride it has been.

I wake up each morning certain that none of this is promised nor guaranteed.
None of this is possible without countless champions & supporters of me & my work. Like the folks who came to my sold out farewell show at the Nuyorican. Or pre-order “Hijito.” Or share the FB video or whatever.

THANK YOU for joining me on this adventure & making this most unexpected gift of a life possible. I plan to keep pushing & digging & making art that honors the love, loyalty, & unyielding generosity so many of you have shown me for so long.

Always,
Carlitos

PS: I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who attended my Farewell to NYC show at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on Saturday, May 4th.

The show was completely sold out and we were able to donate more than $1,000 to Urban Word NYC. Check out these brilliant photos of the event (shot by the incomparable Rebecca Emmanuelle)…

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