Places We Build In The Universe: A Latine Genre Anthology edited by Lauren T. Davila
A Cuban curandera who is haunted by the ghost of the doctor she is rumored to have killed. A 20th century matchmaker who refuses to admit the truth about a new client. One night with an invisible waitress and the customers she serves in an intergalactic diner. A man tasked with choosing to leave or colonize a new planet with strange life forms. A hidden, turquoise-filled civilization hidden underneath the ancient ruins of Puebla Bonito. A haunted Zoot Suit that fulfills broken familial obligations.
Places We Build In The Universe is an anthology of Latine/x genre fiction from both new and established adult authors.
The stories in this anthology fit into three overall genre categories: romance, sci-fi & fantasy, and gothic horror. They cover adult characters, but the themes are universal in scope. The stories focus in on relationships– new, falling apart, or long gone. They explore fantasies, revelations, mistakes, and amends. This anthology is a celebration: one full of magical realism and shared Latine experiences. Spanning cultures and continents and backgrounds, this collection was collated as an example of escapism in its purest form.
Through the segments in this anthology, you will come across familiar character arcs and tropes, but interpreted through our varied cultures. At the core of the stories, are themes of finding yourself, love and lust, grief, longing, complacency, and comfort.
This anthology delves into all of the traditions and experiences that are found through Latinidad.
Contributors: Violet Castro, Samantha Ortiz, Lauren T. Davila, Selena Delvalle, Michelle Flores, Rosario Martinez, Lydia San Andres, Zaida Polanco, Sabrina Sol, C.M. Leyva, Marisa G. Doherty, Ida Duque, PD Loupee, Jeff de Leon, Aurora Martinez, Nico Vazquez, Yamilette Vizcaino, and Tristan Tarwater.
Cover design by Tania Alejandra Jiménez Godines.
Lauren T. Davila is a Pushcart-nominated, Latina author, anthologist, and editor. She is represented by Susan Velazquez Colmant at JABberwocky Literary Agency.
She has edited multiple short story anthologies. including:
– WHEN OTHER PEOPLE SAW US, THEY SAW THE DEAD (Haunt Publishing, May 2022; Outland Entertainment, April 2023 )
– WHERE MONSTERS LURK AND MAGIC HIDES (Bee Infinite Press; Nov. 2022)
– PLACES WE BUILD IN THE UNIVERSE (Flower Song Press; Nov. 2022)
– RECLAMATION: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CLIMATE GENRE FICTION (Outland Entertainment; July 2023)
– LOCALE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF TIME AND PLACE (Inked in Gray; Nov. 2023)
Beyond these titles, she is editing or co-editing multiple anthologies on submission.
Her poetry and short fiction has appeared online at Granada Magazine, The Paragon Journal, Ghost Heart Literary Magazine, Peach Velvet Mag, Voyage Journal, Second Chance Magazine, Headcanon Magazine, In Parentheses, and Poets Reading the News.
Lauren is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in English at Claremont Graduate University. She holds an MFA in Fiction Writing from George Mason University. After completing her studies, she plans to teach at the collegiate level while working in publishing.
She is currently editing her debut novel, AT THE STILL POINTE, an adult gothic mystery featuring ballerinas and the Greek Furies. She is also working on a YA superhero series, picture books, and poetry and short story collections.
Besides her personal and anthology work, she has experience working as an Acquisitions Editor for an independent press. She is currently searching for a new role in publishing. In her editing work, she prioritizes acquisitions of diverse and historically marginalized authors. She is also currently taking on freelance editing clients and information can be found on her EDITING SERVICES page. She is also a judge at NYC Midnight and Editor-in-Chief for Foothill Poetry Journal.
She lives in the greater Los Angeles area where you can find her swimming, walking her golden retriever, and drinking one too many rose lattes.
For inquiries regarding invitations to anthologies, international rights, or IP work, please reach out to Susan at https://awfulagent.com/agents/susan-velazquez/