Today we’d like to introduce you to Yamile Saied Méndez.
Hi Yamile Saied, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, the cradle of fútbol. I’ve always been a voracious reader, and I taught myself English with a dictionary. I moved to the United States to attend college, and study International Economics. All my life I’ve been a storyteller, and after my fourth child was born, I decided to pursue publishing my stories. I went back to school and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Vermont College, and soon after graduation, my first book was published. Now I have more than 20 books published and many more on the way! My books have received many awards, including the Pura Belpré medal for FURIA, which was also part of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like life, publishing isn’t a smooth road! for many years my writing was complimented, but I was told there was no room in the market for stories about Latine characters that didn’t fit a certain stereotype. I’m grateful for my family and my community who supported me and encouraged me to keep fighting for my dream.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My first language is Spanish, and I write in English about Latine characters who reflect the society in which I grew up, and the one in my children are growing up in now. I write for different age groups (from picture books to adult books), and I love to explore similar themes through different lenses (home, belonging, family, identity, fútbol, passion, life mission, etc.).
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is when my youngest brother got a bicycle for Christmas. By then, he was the only one young enough to believe in Papa Noel. (what we call Santa Claus). There wasn’t enough money for presents for the rest of us, but we were all so happy to see him happy that it didn’t matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yamilesmendez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yamilesmendez/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YamileSMendez/
Image Credits
Headshot byLaura Kinser
All other images by Yamile Saied Méndez
