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Las Vegas, NM, and its turbulent past the subject of new historical narrative
LAS VEGAS, New Mexico — A new historical narrative about one of the most significant cities in New Mexico history, written by a former powerbroker who lived and studied his hometown history all his life, is now available for sale.
In his latest book, New Mexico historian, author, artist, actor, and activist Ray John de Aragon details the injustices New Mexicans endured from the earliest days of the United States’ claim on this territory after the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War in 1858, to almost the present day.
On June 11, 2025 Las Vegas Lit Sponsored Poetry readings by Elizabeth Burk from her recently published collection titled “UNMOORED”
Nothing Rhymes with Orange first edition went live about a month ago. On May 25 we had an open mic reading of several works published. Some writers attended and read in person; other pieces were read by Las Vegas Lit team members.
Phoenix is still Rising as parts continue to be fabricated and attached as well as sanding the wooden frame.
Nothing Rhymes With Orange, an online literary zine published by Las Vegas Lit, is now live at nothingrhymeswithorange.pub. To receive future issues, subscribe by email to hello@lvlitnm.org.
Shereen Lobdell Ceramics Professor at New Mexico Highlands University discussed her recent publication of Visual Poetics, a book filled with Shereen’s poetry inspired by her photographs.
Good Time For a GREAT CAUSE!
Join Chad Brown in the Ilfeld Ballroom for an evening of art, music, and community spirit as we come together to support his tribute to the resilience of the people of Las Vegas, New Mexico, and all those affected by the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fires.
Las Vegas Lit is developing a digital arts and literary journal with its first publication scheduled for Spring 2025. The Nothing Rhymes with Orange editor is accepting submissions of poetry and prose with an eye toward adding photos and images as the concept develops.
On Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Las Vegas Arts Council Gallery, 140 Bridge Street, Las Vegas Lit, a project of the Arts Council, featured several writers who read Halloween-themed short stories and poetry.
Save the Date, Sunday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m. for a howling good time at KickStart Kafe, 148 Bridge Street. There will also be a gathering of writing groups, in addition to celebrating the Literacy Council of Northeastern New Mexico (TLC).
Hufnal recently returned from her twentieth trip to Kenya since 1987 as a volunteer science teacher. Since 1994, she has been working with the Girls Safe House in Narok, Kenya, and is now a member of the board for the safe house. The purpose of the Safe House is to rescue and educate badly abused girls. To date, 1,000 girls have been rescued.
Phoenix is Rising but like all GREAT BIRDS - time time time is required to hatch, nurture, strengthen bones, grow plumage and flight feathers.
Renae Ross is a teacher turned nanny in the process of creating a life change after ending an abusive marriage and grueling divorce.
Break the Silence, Embrace Your Freedom! Hidden in the shadows of countless Christian homes, a silent epidemic is unfolding: 1 in 3 Christian marriages experience some form of abuse.
On Sunday, Feb. 25, several Las Vegas Lit members shared their poetry and prose readings at a workshop and open mic event. Pictured here are some of the readers and attendees. Our sincere thanks to Frank and Jan Buerskens for welcoming us into their event space, Stella’s on Bridge Street.
HALLOWEEN
by Anna Aragon
Halloween! that time of year
When things quite stranger do appear
The time that zombies eat your brain
"How to write: want to. Stop not writing. Sit down and think of one story you MIGHT be able to tell badly…”
It was the mid-1980s. We were three writers teaching writing. Joy, KLujan, and I shared an office, our ideas, our frustrations, and our love of writing.
Ray John de Aragon’s new release featured Aug. 27 on Zoom
Las Vegas Lit’s August featured author is Ray John de Aragon, a native Las Vegan whose published works celebrate Hispanic history and culture in books that range from the spooky Eerie New Mexico to The Hidden History of Spanish New Mexico. The Zoom event is set for Sunday, Aug. 27, at 4 p.m.
Are you interested in being in a writers’ group? A safe place where sharing your writing process will lead to constructive criticism and actionable feedback?
There is something magical about putting together a collection of written works by people you may or may not know.
Here I am—back on Memory Lane. A search of old file cabinets revealed the name of the owner of Bridge Street Books & Coffeehouse—Peter Dumont—and one of his poems, which I shall shamefacedly share.
POETRY MONTH 2023
“Always be a poet, even in prose.” Charles Baudelaire.
During Poetry Month 2023, I find myself taking that famous stroll down Memory Lane—this time—Bridge Street. Does anyone remember Bridge Street Books and Coffeehouse (131 Bridge St.)? If memory serves me, it was next door to the camera shop.
Chad Brown spends his days on his art: painting, sculpting with wood and oil clay, and designing new projects. In the evenings he’s a popular mixologist behind the bar at the Castaneda.
On Sept. 18, Deborah Blanche, widely known for her portrayal of notable women from history, will be part of the New Mexico History Museum’s day-long public celebration of Nina Otero-Warren, one of four remarkable women to be represented on quarters released by the U.S. Mint.
A short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film.
~ Lorrie Moore
Hello Readers and Bloggers and Writers:
I’m taking a bit of a break this month-end to prepare for my Lit Salon Talk: Reading and Writing Historical Fiction, featuring my novel, Prairie Madness, Conspiracy at Fort Union.
“Is it time yet?” I whisper loudly. ‘In a stage whisper,’ Nanna would say. I am poised with the red table lamp, its cord dangling from the outlet between the two kitchen windows, in one hand, and my library book under my arm.
Patti Writes
"How to write: want to. Stop not writing. Sit down and think of one story you MIGHT be able to tell badly…”
It was the mid-1980s. We were three writers teaching writing. Joy, KLujan, and I shared an office, our ideas, our frustrations, and our love of writing.
Here I am—back on Memory Lane. A search of old file cabinets revealed the name of the owner of Bridge Street Books & Coffeehouse—Peter Dumont—and one of his poems, which I shall shamefacedly share.
POETRY MONTH 2023
“Always be a poet, even in prose.” Charles Baudelaire.
During Poetry Month 2023, I find myself taking that famous stroll down Memory Lane—this time—Bridge Street. Does anyone remember Bridge Street Books and Coffeehouse (131 Bridge St.)? If memory serves me, it was next door to the camera shop.
Hello Readers and Bloggers and Writers:
I’m taking a bit of a break this month-end to prepare for my Lit Salon Talk: Reading and Writing Historical Fiction, featuring my novel, Prairie Madness, Conspiracy at Fort Union.
“Is it time yet?” I whisper loudly. ‘In a stage whisper,’ Nanna would say. I am poised with the red table lamp, its cord dangling from the outlet between the two kitchen windows, in one hand, and my library book under my arm.
Here we are. Poetry Month 2022. This is a poem I “keypunched” when I worked as a keypunch operator at Harbor Service Bureau, Wilmington, CA; circa 1968.
In thinking about blogging and, thus, about sharing thoughts and ideas, I offer this simple advice to writers and readers:
Once nimble-fingered, strong, and knuckle-crackable, my hands have become autonomous lethal weapons always at the ready to attack my sense of self, to confound me, and to turn an innocent, heretofore intuitive movement into a booby trap.
APRIL IS FOR WORD LOVERS
The Las Vegas Literary Salon joins the rest of the country in celebrating the joy of poetry.
Hello and welcome to Patti’s blog – all things [except for the occasional digression] books, reading, writing… Yes, I am one of the founding members of the Las Vegas Literary Salon (LVLS).
Welcome to the newly established Las Vegas (NM) Literary Salon (LVLS).
Not to be confused with any salons in the “other Las Vegas,” the Las Vegas Literary Salon (LVLS) is located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Great Rocky Mountains and is devoted to writers, readers, and thinkers of the Greater Las Vegas area.
Writer’s Resources & Tips
Are you interested in being in a writers’ group? A safe place where sharing your writing process will lead to constructive criticism and actionable feedback?
Writers write. Right? One would think so, but it’s surprising how many writers are inveterate procrastinators.
You have some time. Maybe you have some time at the same hour and in the same place every day. Most days, you write eagerly and productively.
Las Vegas, NM, and its turbulent past the subject of new historical narrative
LAS VEGAS, New Mexico — A new historical narrative about one of the most significant cities in New Mexico history, written by a former powerbroker who lived and studied his hometown history all his life, is now available for sale.