Lilliam Rivera

Lilliam Rivera is a MacDowell fellow, a screenwriter, and an award-winning author of nine works of fiction: a forthcoming horror book, four young adult novels, three middle grade books, and a graphic novel for DC Comics. Her books have been awarded a Pura Belpré Honor, been featured on NPR, New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, NY Times, and multiple “best of” lists. Her novel Never Look Back is slated for an Amazon movie adaptation. A Bronx, New York native, Lilliam currently lives in Los Angeles.
 

Q&A with Lilliam Rivera

How did you come to teach at Hamline MFAC? There was an opening this year and I was asked to come in to interview. I’s great to be a part of the faculty especially since I’m such a fan of so many of the instructors.
What’s your favorite part of residency? My favorite part of residency is in the unexpected smaller conversations being had outside of the classrooms where you will surprisingly learn something innovative.
How would you describe your faculty advising style? My faculty advising style is to approach the work not from a place of expertise but from a place of curiosity where we are all open to learning. The approach is to facilitate something new to emerge, to experiment, and most importantly, to have fun.
What’s your favorite book to recommend to MFAC students? I think every writer and instructor should read Craft in the Real World by Matthew Salesses and The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop by Felicia Rose Chavez. We can all benefit from dismantling the harm done in antiquated ideas of what the “right” way of writing should be.
	We asked you to send a photo that represents a favorite Hamline memory. What's happening in your photo? This photo I took on the walk back to the hotel from campus. I love the randomness of this red hydrant in the midst of all that green. Minnesota is a really special place.

Young adult