In our first virtual Meet the Author, we shared our thoughts on short readings from BORICUA EN LA LUNA: AN ANTHOLOGY. This book is a collection of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art by Puerto Rican authors on history, family, and the effects of Hurricane Maria. 

Proceeds from the sales of books will benefit hurricane and earthquake relief on the island. 

Elena M. Aponte, the editor joined the talk.  Elena holds a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in Literary and Textual Studies. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in a number of publications and anthologies.  Currently, she is a Writing and Women’s Studies instructor at Bowling Green State University.  

Teresa Méndez-Quigley also joined us. Teresa, whose poetry is included in the anthology, was selected as Montgomery County Poet Laureate in 2004. She is included in What I Expected, an anthology, and Grit Gravity & Grace as well as in Best of Philadelphia Stories, Philadelphia Poets, “California Quarterly”, among others.    

Ann Dávila Cardinal also was a part of our discussion. Ann a novelist and director of student recruitment for Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) where she earned her MFA in Writing. She helped create a VCFA’s Winter Writing Residency in Puerto Rico, and has written two novels that take place on the island, Five Midnights and Category Five.