ocote libre press authors
rosanna alvarez
Rosanna Alvarez is a Chicana storyteller and multifaceted rezongona who writes at the intersections of fury and cariño. She describes her writing as a constant process of re-membering herself whole while translating the living legacy of the stories that have shaped us into who we have become both individually and collectively. She believes in the power of storytelling and self-expression as tools for both personal and collective transformation, with heart in hand, ink to the page, always hollering truths.
Visit her website at www.rosannaalvarez.com.
Cristal González Ávila
Cristal González Ávila is the daughter of farmworkers, Campesinos. Born and raised in the migrant farmworker town of Watsonville, she grew up a first generation Chicana, among the berries and manzanas. So much of who she is in her practice as a storyteller is rooted in the culture and community that spans the thousands of miles that separate the Central Mountains of Zacatecas, the coastal climate of Colima, and the Central Coast of California—Watsonville.
She has been serving the Central Coast as a multidisciplinary artist for over fifteen years and brings stories of her community to spaces, stages, and film.
She writes for mi madre y la señora Esperanza from the Rodriguez Apartments who shared cuentos with her while washing piles of ropa. She writes for the campesinos whose voices echoes en las huertas—reminding her de donde viene y porque escribe. Escribe para escuchar todos esos cuentos en voz alta, she writes so she won’t forget the lessons each harvest gave her. Like her parents she is a proud campesina, harvesting the stories around her and within her.
For author updates, visit: www.cristalgonzalezavila.com.
José-Ariel Cuevas hails from the vibrant voices and rich stories of East San José, a community that has continuously influenced his perspective and the way he approaches life. From a young age, he has pushed the boundaries of convention, constantly seeking new ways to understand and challenge the world around him. He e is a lifelong independent scholar always striving to learn, with his head in the clouds and his proletariat feet firmly entrenched in the ground.
enrique s. flores
Enrique S. Flores is a product of the Alum Rock School district and grew up in East San Jose's "Story & King Neighborhood" until age 26. Enrique S. Flores comes from a working-class/ low-income family. Both Enrique's parents are immigrants, whom arrived to this country in hopes of providing a better future for their children. With the help of many caring Jesuit Priests and mentors such as: California Senator Dave Cortese and Father Greg Boyle, Enrique was educated at Bellarmine College Preparatory and earned both a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Masters Degree in Counseling from Santa Clara University.
SCU’s Alumni Association granted Enrique Flores the Ignatian Award in 2010 as the youngest recipient in the University’s history, this award recognizes alumni who live the SCU ideals of Competence, Conscience, and Compassion, and who have been a credit to the Alumni Association and the University through outstanding service to humanity.
Mia Xochil is a poet and storyteller whose work explores identity, healing, and transformation. Her debut collection, Grief, and Other Five-Letter Words, examines how we define and redefine grief—both personally and collectively—while navigating the ever-shifting landscapes of loss and self-discovery. Rooted in the lived experiences of generations before her, Mia’s writing offers a space for reflection, resilience, and connection. Through her poetry, she invites readers to sit with their emotions, challenge preconceived definitions, and embrace the fluidity of their healing journey. Above all, her work highlights the power of community, reminding us that in shared stories and collective resilience, we find strength, solidarity, and the courage to move forward.
