Jose Angel Araguz's Blog

two bits of good news

Every so often, I’m reminded that the work we do at the desk—quiet, private, uncertain—can find its way into larger conversations. I recently learned that my lyric memoir Ruin & Want has been included on CLMP’s Reading List for Hispanic Heritage Month 2025. That book came from years of sorting through memory and silence, and … Continue reading two bits of good news →

a case of newness & a writing prompt

Prepping for the new semester always brings thoughts of newness: new readings, new prompts, new ways to approach things. This newness has been a theme of late. Like how recently I had to replace my phone case. The broken one had served me a few years. The broken one had a cartoon duck slumped across … Continue reading a case of newness & a writing prompt →

UPDATE: craft class POSTPONED

Just a quick note to share that the virtual craft class I had planned for this weekend has been postponed until a later date. I’ll post info here as soon as it’s updated. Thanks for reading–more soon! = José =

this Sunday: upcoming virtual craft class

I’m excited to share that I’ll be teaching a 2-hr online class called Tools for Self-Critique: Becoming Your Own Editor this Sunday! Here’s the class description: Tools for Self-Critique: Becoming Your Own Editor How do we learn to see our own work clearly and generously? This two-hour online class blends practical editorial strategies with reflective, … Continue reading this Sunday: upcoming virtual craft class →

on ruminative reading

One of the things I’m looking forward to exploring in my upcoming workshop Rumination as Route is a practice I call ruminative reading: a way of engaging with texts that invites lingering, layering, and the kind of close attention that reveals deeper textures over time. I’ll be sharing how I approach reading as a writer, … Continue reading on ruminative reading →

the “I Remember” writing prompt

One of the influential writers on both Ruin & Want and my upcoming craft class Rumination as Route is Joe Brainard, specifically his book I Remember. The first draft of what became Ruin was a series of statements each starting with “I remember” using the formal choice as a way into material. At the time, … Continue reading the “I Remember” writing prompt →

Rumi and the art of wandering

A friend once told me that when he hears the word rumination, he thinks of pigs. Not in a bad way, more in the way pigs root for truffles. He imagined them with their snouts to the earth, urgent but patient, plodding yet focused. That image totally redefined the word for me. Before then, I … Continue reading Rumi and the art of wandering →

nonlinearity & upcoming virtual craft class

Life after Ruin & Want has been nonlinear. After publishing a fragmented memoir rooted in trauma, I spiraled into burnout. For a while, I didn’t think I’d write again. I found myself saying: I wrote the book, now to understand the life behind it. That’s been the work: retracing my steps. Not to tidy the … Continue reading nonlinearity & upcoming virtual craft class →

Salamander virtual event next week (Spotlight: Gabrielle Grace Hogan)

Hello! I am happy to share that the next Salamander virtual event happens this Sunday, April 13th @3pm EST via Zoom (see below for more info; register here). In the days leading up to the virtual reading, I am going to do some quick spotlights on our readers. Gabrielle Grace Hogan is third and final … Continue reading Salamander virtual event next week (Spotlight: Gabrielle Grace Hogan) →

Salamander virtual event next week (Spotlight: Marcy Rae Henry)

Hello! I am happy to share that the next Salamander virtual event happens this Sunday, April 13th @3pm EST via Zoom (see below for more info; register here). In the days leading up to the virtual reading, I am going to do some quick spotlights on our readers. Marcy Rae Henry is second in the … Continue reading Salamander virtual event next week (Spotlight: Marcy Rae Henry) →