Liliana Valenzuela is the author of Codex of Love: Bendita Ternura (FlowerSong Books, 2020) and Codex of Journeys: Bendito Camino (Mouthfeel Press, 2013). Her work has appeared in Edinburgh Review, Indiana Review, Tigertail, Huizache, Hostos Review, Austin American-Statesman, ¡Ahora SÃ!, and other publications. Valenzuela is also the acclaimed Spanish language translator of works by Sandra Cisneros, Julia Alvarez, Denise Chávez, and many other writers. She is a contributing podcaster at the Hablemos Escritoras Podcast, a platform for contemporary women writers and translators of the Spanish-speaking world www.hablemosescritoras.com. Born and raised in Mexico City, she lives and works in Austin, Texas.
How a young Mexicana evolved with Austin. This personal essay is part of the My Austin Vida community essay series highlighting the Austin Latinidad experience.