Community Projects:
Tesoros Biblioteca Pública
Located at the Biblioteca, Tesoros showcases books written by Sala members and offers an array of books and gifts.
Annual Bilingual Writers’ Conference & Literary Festival
Prominent literary figures, industry insiders and instructors from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada gather in San Miguel for five days of lectures, workshops and special events for readers and writers. Since 2005.
SanMiguelWritersConference.org
The Big Read
A community event in which everyone is invited to read the same book and attend special events before the author arrives to present at the Writers’ Conference. Since 2011.
Annual Teen Creative Writing Workshops
Each year, about 100 local teens (ages 12 to 19) participate in one of three workshops. Winners present their work at the Writers’ Conference and get a donated, free computer.
Annual Writers’ Conference Adult Scholarship Program
Each year, the San Miguel Literary Sala provides 30± scholarships to Mexican writers and teachers, and underwrites much of the cost of producing the Spanish language track.
Solamente en San Miguel
A multi-volume anthology of fiction, essays, memoir, and poetry about life in San Miguel compiled and published by the Literary Sala.
Learn more about this amazing collection.
Weekly Spanish-Language Literary Radio Program
Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on Radio San Miguel (1280 AM) our program, “Sancho Panza de Cabeza” presents a literary theme or author, with readings, discussion, call-ins and book give-aways. Since 2007.
Sala Literaria Bellas Artes
A public reading, writing, and meeting room that hosts a variety of literary programs for San Miguel youth.
“My First Book” Reading Program
Year-round, a teacher meets with children in a rural community to introduce them to books and the love of reading. Since 2013.
We also offer partial financial support to:
Storytelling Festival
Storytellers from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada gather for a weekend of storytelling, including classes, performances, and prizes.
Escritores al tú x tú
A presentation of two local writers who discuss each other’s work.
Programs that we sponsored and are now self-governing:
Libros Para Todos
Every fall, we launch a reading campaign in elementary schools in rural communities. We encourage hundreds of kids to read and give them the chance to meet famous Mexican authors in person. We also offer free courses for teachers on effective methods of teaching literature to children. Read more at www.makingreaders.org
San Miguel Poetry Café and San Miguel Prose Café
Poets and writers, aficionados, and the curious gather monthly (Sep.–Apr.), for two evenings of original work.
i3: ideas that inform and inspire
Distinguished leaders from various disciplines are invited to give presentations throughout the year.