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by Ryane Nicole Granados (Author)
"full of the rituals, routines, and rites of Black girlhood all while paying homage to Los Angeles neighborhoods that may not be trimmed in lights but always manage to shine rainbow bright." - bridgette bianca, author of be/trouble
Plenty of things in Zora's youth would seem strange to others, but they're perfectly normal to her. Her mother's fixation with germs, and parties, and the power of names. Her father, who Zora rarely sees, disappearing among the stars as his biggest claim to fame. Her role in explaining things to her younger sister, even as Zora works to discover her own philosophies of life. And her neighborhood, a one-way street with an entrance but no exit called "the Aves."
Zora wants more. More than an honorable name. More than glimpses of glory captured in window frames. Surviving childhood can be as intricate as the intertwined streets of Los Angeles. But as Zora grows, so does her story. And in the process, her desire for more is transformed into a tribute of the magnificent people who live alongside her.
Author Biography
Ryane Nicole Granados has always called Los Angeles her home and her writing finds its roots in her love of her community. She is inspired to write stories of survival that magnify the marginalized while also unearthing the splendor of second chances. Ryane earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles and she was named the 2021 Established Writer and Individual Arts Fellow by the California Arts Council.
Currently, Ryane teaches at Loyola Marymount University where she also serves as the Associate Director of the Academic Resource Center and Writing Center. Her literary work has been featured in various publications including Pangyrus, The Manifest-Station, High Country News, The Atticus Review, and LA Parent Magazine. Her storytelling has also been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and showcased in KPCC's live series Unheard LA.
