Becoming a ‘Science Fiction Latina’: My Journey as a Bilingual Poet Angela Acosta, Doctoral Student, Spanish and Portuguese
The toughest criticism I’ve ever received is being told that someone didn’t understand my poetry. Back in high school, I attended an event for teen writers in my hometown in Florida. I felt disappointed that the piece I read didn’t receive any praise from the judges and felt misunderstood. As I was leaving the event, a young woman approached me and told me how much she liked my poem. A decade later, I can’t remember which poem I read, but I will never forget those kind words from a stranger.
tions like Méndez’s 1928 Surtidor (Source). Their ability to create spaces for young women writers helped me see a road forward not only as a published poet, but as a “Science Fiction Latina” ready to claim her identity.
What made me decide to make the quantum leap and become a “Sci Fi Latina”, as one magazine referred to me? My inspiration came from the very Spanish women writers I study in my dissertation. Learning about their creativity and resilience compelled me to share my stories, both autobiographical and speculative. A century ago, Carmen Conde and Concha Méndez were publishing poetry in collec-
paying homage to Spanish writer Elena Fortún in “My Dear Encarna” (The Stratford Quarterly), I celebrate those who have made my existence and path as a scholar and writer possible.
I always knew I wanted to learn Spanish. I grew up in an English-speaking household without much exposure to Spanish or Latinx culture, so learning Spanish has helped me feel more connected to my Mexican and Spanish roots. Because of my chosen profession I’ve written poetry since I was a teenager, and accent, people often assume that I am a winning the 2015 Rhina P. Espaillat Award from native speaker of Spanish or “100% Latina”, West Chester University for my Spanish poem as if I were inauthentic for being multieth“El Espejo” while I was an undergraduate at nic. Embarking on my journey as a writer has Smith College. After a six-year hiatus, I decid- shown me how much being a Latina poet is ed to share my work again in 2021. Little by integral to my identity as I grow into myself. little, I found my place publishing in multilinIn the world of creative writing, it can be gual and Spanish-language literary magazines hard to find fellow Latinx writers and magalike Pluma and Toyon. I discovered a whole zines that amplify Latinx voices. I am so grateful galaxy of science fiction writing and have, or for the communities I have connected with on soon will, showcase my work in MacroMicro- my writing journey like Latina Voice, an organiCosm, Eye to the Telescope, On Spec, and zation dedicated to uplifting Latinas and marPenumbric. I have many friends and writers ginalized women across careers and life paths. to thank for sparking my love of science and I recently gave a writers’ talk about my poem speculative fiction and I highly recommend “Fourth Generation Chicana Unicorn” with novels by Alastair Reynolds, Becky Chambers, Panochazine, an amazing new zine for femme and Nicky Drayden for their richly detailed identifying Latinx and indigenous creatives. worlds and diverse multispecies characters. Whether I am writing about my ancestors or
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Don’t wait for someone else to tell your story. Lean into what you know and find the people who will understand you and your experiences. Own your authenticity because it matters far more than rhyme and poetic meter.
