Dr. Manuel FloresTexana Reads

There is a line in the recently released “2021 Corpus Christi Writers Anthology” that speaks volumes about the work of a writer, any writer from the seasoned novelist to the café scribbler and the nighttime dreamer.

The line asks, “What makes good writing?” It’s in a poem by Theresa Garcia-Ruiz, one of 50 Corpus Christi area writers who have pieces in this year’s anthology edited by Bill Mays from the Del Mar College White Library.  Ruiz ponders, “Does it turn from green to red when its ready – like an apple?” Or, she continues, “Does it have to reach a certain temperature – like steel?”

Whatever good writing is, its meaning and can be found in Mays' latest edition of “Corpus Christi Writers Anthology.” Poetry, essays, short stories and countless narratives from novice and established writers grace the pages of the unassuming book that is really a treasure-trove of thoughts, ideas and a myriad of feelings. The writers wax poetic about life experiences, visions of sadness and glory and dreams of what is and what should be.

A plus in the book is eclectic art and illustrations the design of which is relevant to some stories but really tells the vision of the editor and his quest to show the talent in Corpus Christi. From the start, you will be searching for your favorite piece (the cover displaying a briallian pen is mine) of art and of course, writing.

Garcia-Ruiz’s selections were among my favorites. She also had a poem titled “Coahuila y Tejas” which peers into her Spanish and indigenous roots and mesmerizes readers with her imagery. Here’s a sample (the translation is in English underneath the verse in parentheses in this review):

“Yo soy carne y hueso

(I am meat and bone)

Sangre y luz

(Blood and light)

Soy de aquí

(I am from here)

Y allá

(and there)

Mismos”

(the same).

Coahuilla y Texas was a state of Mexico after its independence from Spain and before the Battle of San Jacinto. The Spanish words add clarity to the verses as the writer struggles with identity to try to define her existence. Another verse clears up the confusion and perhaps points to the ambiguity of her writing.

              “I don’t dream in Spanish

              I’m not quite there, yet. But, I can see

              In Spanish . . . “

This and many other offerings by talented local writers make Mays’ latest anthology one for the books. It will keep readers enticed and interested as they meander through a sea of stories, art and poetry that offers surprises page-by-page.

The offerings are listed in alphabetical order, but that’s the only thing that is normal in the book. You will find it thrilling, exciting, melancholy, and poignant.

The writers are too numerous to single out one-by-one, but I will point some who caught my attention with their work.

Alan Becerra’s cryptic poetry is the first offering in the book. Becerra has three poems which seem dark and mysterious but are just visions of life. Allyson Larkin offers a story titled “Chupacabra.” I swear I know where it happened. The reportorial style of her writing makes it read more like a news item on “20/20” or another TV news show. Brenda Elaine Riojas wrote “Broken” after her fellow students and professor at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi encouraged her to tell the story. It is touching and relevant.

Your stories live here.Fuel your hometown passion and plug into the stories that define it.Create Account

Christopher Ashworth wrote an ironic “reverse poem”  titled “I am not broken (a reverse poem)" that’ll have you wondering if he is referring to you -- the reader. Charles Etheridge has one of the most pertinent poems in book titled “Porch Prom.” It’s about how the recent pandemic impacts the life of high school students. Visualize it. I did, it was moving and, may I say, beautiful. It made me tear up.

Some writers like Cinthia Giery take everyday occurrences in their lives and bring them to life. Giery writes about her walks over Corpus Christi’s Harbor Bridge. In her narrative are words that make you feel solitude, happiness, and relaxation. Most of us in the Corpus Christi area have driven over the bridge, but have you taken a walk and then visited the marina to experience nature in its most pristine stage?

I think I’ll do it now. . . .

Donna Lee Anderson featured excepts from her book “Saving Hummie” and serves well as a prelude to her writing.  Patricia Alaniz, Robert Dohse. Robin Carstensen, and Sarah Lenz have some of the most beautiful poetry in the book. Their writing is full of words and imagery that will linger in your mind.

S. Matt Read writes about his hiking experiences. His offering involves a “perimeter hiker” who has to pick up some packages at the post office in a desolate West Texas town by the Guadalupe. The story is full of imagery, and it leaves the reader wanting more. For a brief moment, there is the sense of Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” as the story unfolds.

And so it is with all the offerings. The short and brief offerings are only a glimpse of the talent Bill Mays has found in Corpus Christi. It leaves the reader yearning for more. From the look of things, Bill Mays will provide them.

Corpus Christi Writers 2021 Anthology

Edited by Bill Mays

More than 50 contributions by authors

Mays Publishing, Corpus Christi, Texas, 2021

ISBN 9798521210107    

Available at Mayspublishng.com

This weekly column focuses on new and old books about Texas or related to Texas. It includes fiction and nonfiction books, reports on political and sports books as well as cultural or historical works. The common thread among these books is their relationship to Texas, specifically South Texas.

Greetings, writers.

Health and safety is our top priority, and as we've seen the increase of Covid cases - even among vaccinated individuals - it was clear that we needed to make a change to our Anthology launch party. 


We are going to hold a drive-thru Anthology Launch Party on Thursday, September 16 from 7pm - 8pm at Captain Falcon Park. Click here for directions. We have attached a picture of the park for reference.


This contact-free event will be safe & fun (yes, that combination exists!). We will direct you to the starting point and you will drive through stations: a station to pick up your complimentary Anthology copy and purchase additional copies, a station to do a reading (if you choose), and a photo op station. 


For this special event, we will hold the readings from your car. We will broadcast them on Facebook live. Alexis Mays Harborth (my daughter and Marketing director for the CCW Anthology) will be conducting the filming. She's going to have the equipment set up and you'll just drive up and read from your vehicle.


We are reserving 3 - 4 minutes for each person to read. We'll be sticking closely to that time window to ensure everyone has the chance to read. 

Remember - this event is your opportunity to get your free copy of the Anthology, and also your chance to purchase additional copies at the one-time discounted rate of $10 per book. We accept cash and cards. 


Event: Corpus Christi Writers 2021 Anthology Drive-Thru Launch Party
When: Thursday, September 16 from 7pm - 8pm at Captain Falcon Park
Location: Captain Falcon Park, 4718 Oso Pkwy, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 (Click here for directions via Google Maps)