In Conversation with Federico Erebia
Federico and I had a great conversation a few weeks ago. We held off on publishing our Conversation due to the fantastic news that Federico received about several awards and nominations his book has garnered.
This wonderful book deserves all of the accolades it has received and will receive.
This conversation was a lot of fun. The book was a great read as well. It isn't always easy to read, the topic of abuse is always difficult, but Federico's honest account of the lives of Pedro and Daniel is as important as it is powerful.
You should check out Federico's Facebook Page as well. There is a lot of good news there.
I hope you spend a bit of time with us.
This wonderful book deserves all of the accolades it has received and will receive.
This conversation was a lot of fun. The book was a great read as well. It isn't always easy to read, the topic of abuse is always difficult, but Federico's honest account of the lives of Pedro and Daniel is as important as it is powerful.
You should check out Federico's Facebook Page as well. There is a lot of good news there.
I hope you spend a bit of time with us.
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Smart Chapters:
Collaboration and NCTE Connections 00:00
Steven introduced Federico as a premier author and expressed his appreciation for their collaboration. Federico mentioned that their initial meeting was a serendipitous encounter that led to a fruitful relationship. Steven shared his experience with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and how attending their workshops and dinners have resulted in valuable connections. Federico confirmed that he and two other authors, Jamie and Joe, have done a lot together and were recently at the NCTE conference.
Comparing Books on Child Abuse and AIDS 4:02
Federico and Steven discussed the similarities and differences between their books and those of their colleagues, Tyson and Ariz. They highlighted the unique themes, settings, and narratives in each book, despite all of them dealing with children living in abusive situations. Steven emphasized the power of their books in bringing to light issues that might have been overlooked, particularly the forgotten period of the AIDS crisis. Federico agreed, noting that their books offered a different perspective on the topic than what was commonly portrayed in popular culture at the time.
Federico's Unique Book Structure and Contents 8:34
Federico's Book Writing Challenges and Style 14:41
Federico discussed the challenges he faced in writing his book, emphasizing that it was a work of fiction and not a memoir or autobiography, despite half of it being Daniel's story. He explained the decision to begin with a scene depicting severe domestic violence and child abuse, which he found to be an effective way to introduce the book's themes and immediately engage the reader. Steven praised the book's direct and powerful style, noting that it read as if it had been in the author's mind for years, despite being a first book.
Federico's Book Writing and Revision Process 20:22
Federico shared that he has been writing his book, which contains hundreds or thousands of vignettes, for the past three years. He shared his obsessive attention to detail, particularly his desire to use specific words, such as "bucolic," correctly in his writing. Federico's brother's death and a subsequent conversation about their story sparked his obsession to write. He revealed that he prefers to write on a computer using Scrivener or Google Docs, and he types quickly but also enjoys the process of revising. Steven showed interest in Federico's writing process and confirmed his assumption that Federico drafts his stories mentally rather than on paper.
Revision, Writing Process, and Publishing Challenges 24:22
Steven and Federico discussed the importance of revision in the writing process. Federico emphasized that no writer can produce a perfect first draft and that revision is essential for improving the story. He shared his experience with revising his book, Pether and Daniel, over a period of more than a year. Steven expressed his belief that there's no such thing as effortless writing, and praised Federico's commitment to the craft. They also discussed the challenges of publishing a first novel, with Steven inquiring about the feedback Federico received during the process.
Federico's Book Journey Discussion 28:18
Steven asked Federico about the publication journey of his book. Federico shared that he began writing a picture book manuscript in 2021, based on a 50-word submission. He sent the manuscript to an editor he met at an online conference, who expressed interest in seeing more of Federico's work. Eventually, the editor suggested that Federico combine several manuscripts into a novel. Federico decided to do this for his two brothers and their experiences, aiming for a young adult audience. The editor was accommodating and provided some guidance, but didn't impose any strict requirements. Two years later, the book was published.
Federico's Writing Approach and Supportive Publisher 32:14
Federico discussed the positive response he received from his editor regarding his writing approach, including the use of poetic verse and varied vignettes. Federico expressed gratitude for finding an editor who allowed him to write the book he needed to write without having to sell the concept first. Steven commended Federico's good fortune in finding a supportive publisher and noted the changing landscape of young adult literature, which now includes more diverse voices and topics. Steven also mentioned that Federico's book, despite its unconventional structure, was well-received.
Discussing Diverse Books and Censorship 36:00
Steven and Federico discussed the merits of a book that has been receiving positive feedback. They highlighted the importance of sharing stories that accurately reflect diverse experiences, particularly those of marginalized groups. They also addressed potential objections, such as those from parents or school boards, and argued that books should be accessible to all and that censorship should not be imposed based on individual perspectives. They emphasized that books should be seen as a tool for understanding and exploring different perspectives, rather than as a means of indoctrination.
AIDS Epidemic, Celebrities, and Resilience 46:14
Steven and Federico discussed the AIDS epidemic in the early eighties and its impact on society, focusing on the role of celebrities in reducing stigma. Federico shared his personal experiences as a doctor during this challenging time, emphasizing the resilience required to navigate such a difficult situation. They also discussed the importance of raising awareness about historical events and the trauma they have caused, highlighting the significance of young adult fiction and memoirs in breaking down barriers of fear and misunderstanding. Lastly, Federico announced that his book, Peder and Daniel, had been shortlisted for the 2024 Massachusetts Book Award and had won a Lambda literary award, expressing hope for increased readership and future conversations.
Collaboration and NCTE Connections 00:00
Steven introduced Federico as a premier author and expressed his appreciation for their collaboration. Federico mentioned that their initial meeting was a serendipitous encounter that led to a fruitful relationship. Steven shared his experience with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and how attending their workshops and dinners have resulted in valuable connections. Federico confirmed that he and two other authors, Jamie and Joe, have done a lot together and were recently at the NCTE conference.
Comparing Books on Child Abuse and AIDS 4:02
Federico and Steven discussed the similarities and differences between their books and those of their colleagues, Tyson and Ariz. They highlighted the unique themes, settings, and narratives in each book, despite all of them dealing with children living in abusive situations. Steven emphasized the power of their books in bringing to light issues that might have been overlooked, particularly the forgotten period of the AIDS crisis. Federico agreed, noting that their books offered a different perspective on the topic than what was commonly portrayed in popular culture at the time.
Federico's Unique Book Structure and Contents 8:34
Federico's Book Writing Challenges and Style 14:41
Federico discussed the challenges he faced in writing his book, emphasizing that it was a work of fiction and not a memoir or autobiography, despite half of it being Daniel's story. He explained the decision to begin with a scene depicting severe domestic violence and child abuse, which he found to be an effective way to introduce the book's themes and immediately engage the reader. Steven praised the book's direct and powerful style, noting that it read as if it had been in the author's mind for years, despite being a first book.
Federico's Book Writing and Revision Process 20:22
Federico shared that he has been writing his book, which contains hundreds or thousands of vignettes, for the past three years. He shared his obsessive attention to detail, particularly his desire to use specific words, such as "bucolic," correctly in his writing. Federico's brother's death and a subsequent conversation about their story sparked his obsession to write. He revealed that he prefers to write on a computer using Scrivener or Google Docs, and he types quickly but also enjoys the process of revising. Steven showed interest in Federico's writing process and confirmed his assumption that Federico drafts his stories mentally rather than on paper.
Revision, Writing Process, and Publishing Challenges 24:22
Steven and Federico discussed the importance of revision in the writing process. Federico emphasized that no writer can produce a perfect first draft and that revision is essential for improving the story. He shared his experience with revising his book, Pether and Daniel, over a period of more than a year. Steven expressed his belief that there's no such thing as effortless writing, and praised Federico's commitment to the craft. They also discussed the challenges of publishing a first novel, with Steven inquiring about the feedback Federico received during the process.
Federico's Book Journey Discussion 28:18
Steven asked Federico about the publication journey of his book. Federico shared that he began writing a picture book manuscript in 2021, based on a 50-word submission. He sent the manuscript to an editor he met at an online conference, who expressed interest in seeing more of Federico's work. Eventually, the editor suggested that Federico combine several manuscripts into a novel. Federico decided to do this for his two brothers and their experiences, aiming for a young adult audience. The editor was accommodating and provided some guidance, but didn't impose any strict requirements. Two years later, the book was published.
Federico's Writing Approach and Supportive Publisher 32:14
Federico discussed the positive response he received from his editor regarding his writing approach, including the use of poetic verse and varied vignettes. Federico expressed gratitude for finding an editor who allowed him to write the book he needed to write without having to sell the concept first. Steven commended Federico's good fortune in finding a supportive publisher and noted the changing landscape of young adult literature, which now includes more diverse voices and topics. Steven also mentioned that Federico's book, despite its unconventional structure, was well-received.
Discussing Diverse Books and Censorship 36:00
Steven and Federico discussed the merits of a book that has been receiving positive feedback. They highlighted the importance of sharing stories that accurately reflect diverse experiences, particularly those of marginalized groups. They also addressed potential objections, such as those from parents or school boards, and argued that books should be accessible to all and that censorship should not be imposed based on individual perspectives. They emphasized that books should be seen as a tool for understanding and exploring different perspectives, rather than as a means of indoctrination.
AIDS Epidemic, Celebrities, and Resilience 46:14
Steven and Federico discussed the AIDS epidemic in the early eighties and its impact on society, focusing on the role of celebrities in reducing stigma. Federico shared his personal experiences as a doctor during this challenging time, emphasizing the resilience required to navigate such a difficult situation. They also discussed the importance of raising awareness about historical events and the trauma they have caused, highlighting the significance of young adult fiction and memoirs in breaking down barriers of fear and misunderstanding. Lastly, Federico announced that his book, Peder and Daniel, had been shortlisted for the 2024 Massachusetts Book Award and had won a Lambda literary award, expressing hope for increased readership and future conversations.