“Thank you!” Lemus said, wrapping up his discussion of Guatemalan Rhapsody. Thanks for following along, and to Jared Lemus for sharing more about his book and the stories behind it.
@texasbookfest.bsky.social @gilbertdmartinez.bsky.social #texasbookfestival

Lemus touched on the spiritual roots of Guatemalan culture woven throughout his book, noting how faith and tradition influence the people, towns, and daily life. #JaredLemus #TXST #WritersTalk #Guatemala

“They just abandoned me,” Jared Lemus said, describing a key moment in his book. The main character’s friends stand by him at first but eventually leave. Lemus said those friends “wanted to just say anything to get home to their real families.” #JaredLemus #TXST #WritersTalk #Guatemala

“Oh my God, they’re about to rob me for everything I had,” Lemus said, sharing a moment from his visit to Guatemala. He turned that experience into fiction, using it to explore how young boys face hardship and choice in their country. #JaredLemus #TXST #WritersTalk #Guatemala #austintx #texasbook

“I talk a lot about the Guatemalan genocide and the civil war,” Lemus said. “There are very limited options for jobs and opportunities.” He said those struggles echo through the lives of the four orphans in his story. #TXST #JaredLemus #LatinxAuthors #Guatemala

“Don’t let it hit you,” Lemus said, reflecting on life’s challenges. “I really wanted to showcase who this is for.” He said his book honors Guatemalan people, offering light to their culture, migration, and identity. #JaredLemus #TXST #LatinxAuthors #WritingCommunity

“Loyalty to country,” said Jared Lemus, reflecting on Guatemala’s soccer team as they push for the World Cup. “I’m super invested in them making it, to be proud.” He ties that same pride to the characters and themes in his book. #TXST #JaredLemus #WritingCommunity #Guatemala

“What really drew me to writing this book… is that I feel like I got this question a lot — ‘but where are you from?’” Jared Lemus said. The collection centers on four orphans in Guatemala and a tattoo artist navigating life. #TXST #JaredLemus #WritingCommunity @jaredlemus.bsky.social

Author Jared Lemus is about to take the stage. Stay tuned for live updates from his talk. #JaredLemus #TXST #WritersTalk #LiveUpdate

At the Texas Book Festival, author Jared Lemus discussed his work as a Latin writer. His short fiction appeared in The Atlantic, Story and The Kenyon Review. Lemus holds an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh and a visiting writer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. #TXBookFest