#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.
“…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.
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)…
What a time—Rafael Jesús González, Poet Laureate of Berkeley, just selected my poem as the winner of the 2019 Fischer National Poetry Prize!
I wish I could tell my younger self struggling to learn to read, “One day you’ll have a poetry book of your own.”
I’m so thrilled & anxious to announce that you can pre-order HIJITO right now: https://platypuspress.co.uk/hijito
Bring me to your town/school for a book event or show: https://carloslive.com/booking/
If you’re interested in reviewing HIJITO (or interviewing me about it for your podcast/show/publication): https://carloslive.com/booking/
The book’s official release date: Thursday, Sep. 5th
BOOK TOUR dates will be posted here (stay tuned): https://carloslive.com/upcoming-shows-2/
Book Tour cities:
– Toronto
– Boston
– NYC
– Philly
– DC
– ATL
– London
– Dubai
If you’ve got a cool indy bookstore/contact to recommend or wanna add your town, lemme know.
Grateful shoutout to Peter Barnfather for this incredible cover design & layout, as well as the photographer, Markus Hartel, for generously offering up this photo.
& forever gratitude to Michelle Tudor & the entire @PlatypusPress team for being an absolute dream to work with.
&, of course, cannot say thank you enough to Eduardo C. Corral, Matthew Olzmann, & Raymond Antrobus for these breathtaking blurbs about the book.
Lastly, since I imagine it’ll be an ongoing issue—
HIJITO is pronounced:
“ee-HEE-toe.”
¡Mil gracias!
