Dr. Rolando Díaz’ “Tales from the Tortilla Curtain and Other Stories” wins Bronze Medal at 27th Annual International Latino Book Awards

OCEANSIDE, Calif. - Dr. Rolando J. Díaz, chair and associate professor in the department of English, Humanities, and Languages at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, was awarded the Bronze Medal in the category of Best Collection of Short Stories at the 27th Annual International Latino Book Awards on October 25 at MiraCosta College.

The second edition of Díaz' Tales from the Tortilla Curtain and Other Stories is speculative fiction/science fiction book with social commentary imagining what would happen if the Great Wall of the Americas - otherwise known as the Tortilla Curtain - were ever completed along the border between the United States and Mexico. It speaks of the human tragedy on both sides of the border.

One judge said "I enjoyed the stores and creativity. This book belongs in a Chicano Studies class library."

Included in this book is the section "A Través del Tiempo", a collection of short stories about two young Latinos who get their hands on a time machine and travel to significant points in their lives along the border. The third section of this book, "¡Hazte el behave o te espanquéo!" takes a more humorous look at the cultural and linguistic hybridity of the Hispanic experience. It also includes a list of Spanglish vocabulary words that could be incorporated in either English or Spanish.

Dr. Díaz continues writing and translating books and developing academic articles and reviews which accurately reflect the Latino/Chicano/Hispanic experience, including the history, language, culture, and identity of this diverse community.

Tales from the Tortilla Curtain and Other Stories has been published by Proisle Publishing and is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers.

To learn more about the awards and the ceremony, go to https://www.LatinoBooks.org.