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.

I’ve written poetry since I was a teenager, winning the 2015 Rhina P. Espaillat Award from West Chester University for my Spanish poem “El Espejo” while I was an undergraduate at Smith College. After a six-year hiatus, I decided to share my work again in 2021. Little by little, I found my place publishing in multilingual and Spanish-language literary magazines like Pluma and Toyon. I discovered a whole galaxy of science fiction writing and have, or soon will, showcase my work in MacroMicro- Cosm, Eye to the Telescope, On Spec, and Penumbric. I have many friends and writers to thank for sparking my love of science and speculative fiction and I highly recommend novels by Alastair Reynolds, Becky Chambers, and Nicky Drayden for their richly detailed worlds and diverse multispecies characters.

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 collections

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.

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 and accent, people often assume that I am a native speaker of Spanish or “100% Latina”, as if I were inauthentic for being multiethnic. Embarking on my journey as a writer has shown me how much being a Latina poet is integral to my identity as I grow into myself.

In the world of creative writing, it can be hard to find fellow Latinx writers and magazines that amplify Latinx voices. I am so grateful for the communities I have connected with on my writing journey like Latina Voice, an organization dedicated to uplifting Latinas and marginalized women across careers and life paths. I recently gave a writers’ talk about my poem “Fourth Generation Chicana Unicorn” with Panochazine, an amazing new zine for femme identifying Latinx and indigenous creatives. Whether I am writing about my ancestors or 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.

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.

Rara Avis

I am not some rare bird, a criticism masquerading as a compliment thanks to your private school Latin.

Habito un universo plurilingüe de las lenguas romances.I inhabit a multilingual universe of romance languages.

Am I still a birdfor my wings were clippedand the songs I sing go unheard?

Mírame a los ojos. Look me in the eyes.

My face is memorableeven when other Latinascarry my same name and similar histories.

No me doy por vencida por tu fragilidad.I am not giving up on account of your fragility.

I learned Spanish after generations of disuse,but my feathers have a long lineageof flocks flying high like the Andean condor.

No soy quien piensas, soy quien sueño ser.I am not who you think, I am who I dream to be.

This poem was first published online in Academy of the Heart and Mind. https://academyoftheheartandmind.wordpress.com/2021/08/01/rara-avis/

Headshot Angela Acosta