Today we’d like to introduce you to Minda Gomez.
Hi Minda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have loved books my whole life. When I was in elementary school, I loved to write and illustrate stories. I used to say that I was going to be an author/illustrator of children’s books when I grew up. I even entered a book into a national contest. However, as I got older, my interests changed and I shifted away from my goal to become an author/illustrator. I ended up getting my degree in English as a Second Language, and have been a teacher for 18 years.
I am a children’s book lover, and have made it my mission to find quality multicultural books for my classroom and my three kids. We are a bicultural family, and embrace my husband’s Mexican culture and Spanish language, even as we are living in the US. It has been really hard to find exciting books about bicultural kids. I wanted to portray a family that looked like my own, and also write a really interesting and engaging story that was not centered on the family’s ethnicity.
With the option of print-on-demand publishing, I decided to publish a few books for myself and my family and friends. However, as time has gone on, I have become more excited about sharing my story with the world!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has had its challenges, but I am thoroughly enjoying the ride! One of the challenges was learning how to create digital illustrations. I tried several different devices and ended up settling on an iPad pro. I am having so much fun rediscovering my love for art through this new medium.
There has been a steep learning curve as I learn to navigate the mechanics of self-publishing, but it has been such a healthy thing for me to have my own project to work on. I have been so thankful for my husband, who is a designer and is proficient in the software needed to layout the book. It’s been a new experience to work on this project together, but I really like to say that we are a power couple.
Another challenge about self-publishing a book on a small budget is that I have to be my own marketing department. I have never been someone who likes to toot my own horn, so talking about myself is hard. I do love having people read my book, so I’ve had to learn to reach out in order for my book to be discovered.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Secret Door tells of three kids and their sweet next door neighbors, Don Toño and Doña Rosa. Don Toño is an inventor, and has created an invention in his backyard shed that transforms the kids into animals through virtual reality and transports them to exotic locations. The kids turn into squirrels, marine animals, and spider monkeys, and have so much fun in each of their adventures. In each adventure they learn values like wisdom, honesty, and contentment, tying into their real-life challenges.
As I mentioned above, it has been hard to find quality books about families like my own. Their Mami is Minnesotan and their Papi is Mexican. Rico, Diego, and Araceli Martinez are Mexican-American, bicultural, bilingual, and also just everyday kids who get to go on extraordinary adventures.
In both the English version of the book, as well as the Spanish translation that I worked on with my husband, there are words from the other language mixed in. It was important that the translation was done authentically, capturing a true picture of the codeswitching many bilingual families use every day.
Elements of Mexican culture and food are also incorporated throughout the story. The elderly neighbor Doña Rosa is an incredible cook, and even teaches the kids to make tortillas in one chapter.
It is my goal to write chapter books that I would have loved to read as a kid. Whether you call it magical realism or fantasy, it is a book that allows kids to use their imagination and enjoy the adventure along with the characters. It is written for intermediate elementary students to read independently, but is also written as a read-aloud. I have also heard from many families who have loved reading the book out loud together with kids as young as four.
The Secret Door book is currently available in the Anoka, Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington County libraries, and will soon be available in others as well. It can also be purchased through Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.
I am now working on my second book, an adventure in the Arctic that also takes place in Mexico. My husband helped me to film and produce some on-location read-alouds from this book that can be found on YouTube.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
When I wrote my book, I didn’t know anyone personally who had done what I was doing. Surprisingly, Instagram has connected me with some incredibly encouraging authors from around the world who have answered some of my questions and given me suggestions. The “Bookstagram” community is new to me, and I have been impressed with how positive it is and how well people support each other!
I also was privileged to be a part of the Anoka County Library local author fair in February. It was a great chance to meet some wonderful people in the Minnesota book scene. I am hopeful that I will be able to participate in other events like this in the future. More speaking opportunities and invitations are starting to arise, and I have been having so much fun sharing my book with the people I meet!
Pricing:
- Amazon: $11.99
- Barnes and Noble: $12.99
Contact Info:
- Email: martinezkidsadventures@gmail.com
- Website: www.mindagomez.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/martinezkidsadventures
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/martinezkidsadventures
- Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UC7bVhIfqBWLDPDMbS5eWIcw
- Other: www.pinterest.com/martinezkidsadventures
Image Credits
Moises Gomez
