Jimmy Santiago Baca
The Chicano poet, writer and memoirist Jimmy Santiago Baca transformed his life through literature. Abandoned as a child, Baca lived on the streets and served time in jail for drugs. It was in jail that the New Mexico native learned to read and began writing poetry. Once he was released from prison he started his writing career and began teaching writing workshops. He has written various volumes of poetry (Immigrants In Our Own Land), plays, screenplays and his memoirs (A Place to Stand). His most famous work is the screenplay for the seminal Latino film, Blood In/Blood Out.
First Book: Immigrants in Our Own Land
Latest Book: A Glass of Water