Local author Eduardo Santiago to speak at Desert Hot Springs Library author series

I first met Eduardo Santiago in Idyllwild, where he curated an author’s series in the summers. I was so inspired by the many authors who traveled up the mountain to share their stories, that I dreamed of having an author series one day.

Almost two years ago, Desert Hot Springs got a new library, and my dream turned into reality. Now, it’s my turn to have Santiago speak about his life, books and stories on Thursday, April 20.

Having enjoyed his two published fictional books with Cuban themes, I wanted to know more about his life as a Cuban immigrant. I learned that, in 1968, Santiago and his family escaped the political environment in Cuba. They moved from a small Cuban town to be near relatives in Los Angeles.

This was quite a cultural shock to Santiago. The family spent months in Madrid, Spain, before they could get a visa to the United States. He was 11 years old and the only English he knew was how to count to three. In three months, he mastered the grammar and fell in love with the language.

"English is a lively language full of metaphors," he said.

Later, as a shy 13-year-old, Santiago spent his free time reading books his grandfather picked out of the dumpster in the back of the dime store. The covers were torn off, so they could not be resold. Not knowing the subject, his grandfather gave him a copy of Jacqueline Susann’s book, "The Valley of the Dolls." He began acquiring a taste for the "rich and famous," and moved on to F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Hardy.

In 1989, Santiago read the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" by Oscar Hijuelos. This was the first time he read a novel by a Cuban- American. When another Cuban novelist, Cristina Garcia, came out with her book, “Dreaming in Cuba” in 1992, Santiago was inspired to write a book of short stories.

Unfortunately, no publisher picked up the short stories, but one told him to take the short story, “Tomorrow They will Kiss,” and turn it into a novel. The novel under the same name was published in 2013, and took Best Historical Novel and Best First Book honors at the International Latino Book Awards.

"Tomorrow They will Kiss," which was partially inspired by some people in his mother's life, is about three well-to-do women who escape Castro’s Cuba and find themselves in a strange new life working in a doll factory in New Jersey. His character development covers their homeland, their adjustment to the U.S., and the reality of what it means to be an immigrant.

Santiago then went on to write a second novel, “Midnight Rumba,” about Cuba before the revolution from 1940- 1959, when Fidel Castro comes to power. This book gives the reader a supporting cast full of very lively characters who have a stake in a new Cuba as they intertwine with corrupt politicians, entertainers and wide- eyed revolutionaries.

Today, Santiago is an accomplished writer with short stories that have appeared in ZYZZYVA, Slow Trains and The Caribbean Writer. He's also written several nonfiction works that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, The Advocate, and Out Traveler Magazine. His latest short story appears in the recently released “Palm Springs Noir,” edited by Barbara De Marco Barrett.

Santiago also teaches a creative writing course at UCLA Extension. Fifteen years ago, he was invited as a guest speaker, and the gig progressed into an instructor position. He teaches students the craft of writing, and the class critiques each other’s work.

"I fall in love with each class," he said. "I am inspired by my students. They are so humble and accepting of each other while making their work better."

Most recently, Santiago taught writing to younger students at the Idyllwild Academy of Arts summer programs. He even took the class on a platoon boat around Lake Hemet to foster their creative juices.

Santiago is currently the director of programs for the Palm Springs Writers Guild, which holds workshops and critique groups for writers of all ages. Visit palmspringswritersguild.org for more information.

So, what is Santiago working on now? He is taking a detour from novels and is writing a screenplay, “Kill me Twice.” The story is a murder mystery set in Idyllwild involving some “kooky” characters.

It's not his first foray into film writing. In 1999, Santiago co-authored another screenplay, "Proof Sheet," with Rich Kilroy. Nearly 25 years later, it has been made into a movie, which should be released soon.

"This was a bizarre turn of events," he said of the movie. "You just never know."

The public is invited to hear Santiago discuss his life and writings at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at Desert Hot Springs Library, 14-380 Palm Drive, Desert Hot Springs. His books will be available for sale and signing. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 760-329-5926. This is the last author talk for the season, but Friends of the DHS Library Author’s Series will return in September 2023.

Sally Hedberg is the curator of the Friends of the Desert Hot Springs Library Author Series.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Eduardo Santiago to speak at Desert Hot Springs Library author series