You don’t want to miss Daniel A. Olivas’s new book that Buzzfeed is already raving about. How To Date a Flying Mexican: New and Collected Stories is a collection of magical realism, fairy tales, fables, and dystopian future stories touching on themes such as morality, justice, and self-determination. In these imaginative, strange worlds readers will experience Daniel’s “very distinct, and very Chicano, fiction.” The release date for this unforgettable collection will be February 22 published by the University of Nevada Press. It is available for preorder on their website and Amazon.
Mark your calendars for the virtual book launch happening on February 23, 6 pm (Pacific) sponsored by Vroman’s Bookstore. It’s free to register and you can do so here.
Every story in this collection is told with a wink and a smile, encouraging you to follow along for the ride. His humor not only brings levity to matters of life, death, and human treachery, but it is also a stylistic choice that Olivas has mastered. These stories aren’t so much about the interiority of its characters, but about the mythical, magical mundanity of our lives.
Maceo Montoya, associate professor of Chicano/a Studies, University of California, Davis, and author of Preparatory Notes for Future Masterpieces
If you want to see more conversations on How To Date a Flying Mexican, you can check out more events on Daniel’s website. You can also read his short story “Still Life with Woman and Stroller” on Issue 13. To keep up with news about the book or the author, follow Daniel on Twitter.
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Thank you for this kind piece on my forthcoming short-story collection! Several of the stories in the collection first appeared in books published by ASU’s very own Bilingual Press. I hope folks can make it. The one benefit to the pandemic is that virtual book appearances can reach many more people. However, I will be a guest author at this year’s Tucson Festival of Books, so if you go to that wonderful event, say hi!
Thank you, Daniel! SR is very excited about your new book and all of your events!
This book sounds very exciting read and very different to what I am used to! Definitely something I would pick up.
I’ve been trying to read more short story collections, and yours sounds like a great one I can put on my to-read list!
I’m enrolled in a literature course this semester that focuses on Chicano literature. So far I have enjoyed the texts that we have read and exploring the importance of studying Chicano literature. I hope to attend the book launch and eventually read Daniel A. Olivia’s new book!
Magical realism is my favorite trope to see, and it’s always exciting to find authors who still proudly sport Chicano! Looking forward to reading this!
I especially love reading Chicano literature because I can connect with the characters and the culture/experience. The last book I’ve read was Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas which includes fantasy elements. I absolutely loved that book, so I’m looking forward to reading this! The title itself holds my interest!