New Mexico Writing Resources

Posted by David Duhr in Writing Resources      2 comments

Mar
27

New Mexico, known as the Land of Enchantment, is next up in our State Writing Resources series. Yootó Hahoodzo in Navajo (speakers of which make up over 4% of the population), New Mexico is Nuevo Mexico in Spanish, although, in a little-known fact (which I just now learned), the territory/state was named New Mexico well before the nation south of it was named Mexico.

When I think of New Mexico writing, Ed Abbey comes first to mind. Abbey attended UNM in Albuquerque, spent some time in Taos and (I believe) Santa Fe, and was perhaps literature’s fiercest defender of the American Southwest. Other writers with New Mexico ties include Rudolfo Anaya (Bless Me, Ultima), Cormac McCarthy, Denise Chavez, and Tony Hillerman, who wrote the Leaphorn and Chee Navajo crime series. George R. R. Martin, the Game of Thrones dude, makes his home in Albuquerque. And activist, novelist and poet Paula Gunn Allen spent most of her life in New Mexico, writing and teaching and stirring the pot.

Presented in no particular order, here are twelve New Mexico writing resources, from conferences to local critique groups to literary magazines. If you are a resident of this Land of Enchantment, or are planning to become one, these are some organizations you might want to take a peek at.

1) Blue Mesa Review

A well-known literary magazine published annually by the creative writing department at the University of New Mexico, it runs fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction.

2) A Room of Her Own

A nonprofit organization providing a unique arts program that helps women writers and artists go the full journey from inspiration, through creative production, and on to the marketplace.

3) Taos Summer Writers’ Conference

An annual week-long gathering that draws writers from all over the country to Taos, New Mexico. Known for its inclusive, nurturing community, the Taos Conference offers numerous week-long and weekend workshops in fiction, poetry, nonfiction and screenwriting.

4) Lannan Foundation

A family foundation dedicated to cultural freedom, diversity and creativity through projects which support exceptional contemporary artists and writers, as well as inspired Native activists in rural indigenous communities.

5) New Mexico Book Association

Professional development workshops, monthly networking luncheons, New Mexico’s Book World (a resource guide to the New Mexico book community), a monthly online events calendar, opportunities to show and sell books at major book festivals and trade shows, and more.

6) Santa Fe Writers Project

A resource for authors, it offers an internationally recognized literary awards program and an online literary journal fueled by a community of authors who are organized around the Project’s goals and ideas.

7) Puerta del Sol 

In its 47th year of publication, this is the journal of New Mexico State University, dedicated to providing a forum for innovative poetry, prose, drama, criticism and artwork from emerging and established writers and artists.

8) Minor Heron

An education and literary arts organization. Offers readings, poetry slams and more.

9) Helene Wurlitzer Foundation

One of the oldest artist residence programs in the country, the Foundation serves as a haven for painters, poets, sculptors, writers, playwrights, composers, photographers and filmmakers.

10) La Sociedad para las Artes

Hosts free evening readings of national caliber, featuring readers who also offer manuscript consultation to graduate students and craft talks to high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and community members.

11) SouthWest Writers

A nonprofit organization devoted to helping both published and unpublished writers improve their craft and further their careers. Located in Albuquerque, it serves writers of all ages worldwide in every fiction and nonfiction genre.

12) Southwest Book Fiesta

Brings together authors, publishers and the public for a family-friendly weekend, focusing on nationally recognized as well as local authors, literacy, and learning through seminars and readings.

Help us add to this list, New Mexicans! Do you run a local writing group or a lit journal we should be aware of? Feel free to share info and links in the comments section below.