I’m a writer and professor of American and Chicano literature at Ohio State University in Columbus.  My first two novels are called Crossing, and Drift.  My new novel, Day of the Dead, is due out in the fall of 2009.

My PhD in English is from Stanford University.  My Masters in Creative Writing is from Ohio State.  My BA in History and English is from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, my hometown.

My work is dedicated to bringing the voices of the rarely-heard, out into the public sphere.  My stories come from my past, the westside barrio of my youth, the tales my abuelitos and abuelitas told about their migrant lives, the music my father played, the faith of my mother. They’re stories of flawed and damaged people looking to do more than survive.

I’m married to the wonderful   Molly S. Martinez who works with troubled children.  We have a stuck-up cat named Asher.

Interviews:

Pat Rosal Interviews me in 2008

Elisa Ambrogio inteviews me in 2002 about Crossing

Tanya Barrone Interviews me about my novel Drift

Publisher’s Weekly Interviews me about Drift

David Inge Interview on WILL Radio

Will Murphy Interviews me on the radio in 2004