We’re kicking off our second season with a conversation between Mentor alum and debut author of The Waves Take You Home, María Alejandra Barrios Velez, and Mentee Fiona Hernandez. María recently hosted a Friday Night Salon for Girls Write Now all about ancestry, inheritance, and the experience of writing her first novel in her second language. In this episode, you’ll hear María read two excerpts: one from the first draft of her novel and the second from the published book. We hope you enjoy this delicious conversation about home cooking, magical realism, and writing the book of your dreams.

You can pre-order María’s book The Waves Take You Home coming March 19th.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.girlswritenowmedia.org