Episode Topic: From Poet to Novelist 

Listen in to an oral history conversation with poet Maria Melendez Kelson, interviewed by Notre Dame graduate literary researcher Paulina Hernández-Trejo, recorded 17 years after Melendez Kelson’s original Letras Latinas Oral History Project interview. Melendez Kelson’s most recent work is the contemporary mystery novel Not the Killing Kind, and this conversation uncovers her creative transition from her career as a successful poet to a mystery writer. She discusses how she discovered an unexpected audacity within herself that allowed her to find her political voice, the kinship and responsibility she feels toward vulnerable communities, and the surprising spiritual power that resides in a writer’s name.

Featured Speakers:

• Paulina Hernández-Trejo, University of Notre Dame
• Ashley Wilson, FAIA, ASID, Ashley R. Wilson Architects PLLC

Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://go.nd.edu/c5a74f.

This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Letras Latinas. 

Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career.

• Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu.
• Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.