What makes a story stand out? February 3, 2017 – Posted in: Books, Edwin Fontanez, El bosque iluminado, Espanol, Illuminated Forest

There are the gimmicks and there are the ones with heart. Sometimes one overpowers the other. For me there has always been only one choice. I always go for the heart. This has not been an arbitrary or strategic decision, but one that I have arrived at naturally throughout my career/adventure/writing life. Unabashedly I will admit, I am an old-fashioned story teller. Simply because as an artist and writer, I must find the heart and…

Continue reading...

The reviews are in… (“A Day of Writing with Authors,” Part II) November 21, 2016 – Posted in: Activity, Books, Edwin Fontanez, Events, News

As a long-time artist, author, and presenter of children’s workshops, I can tell you with utmost certainty that for as much detail as I invest in planning an activity, there can be a scary, unexpected element that may flip a fun presentation into something disastrous. It is precisely that unknown that—despite my long experience—keeps me up at night when I have to address a group of children. Thankfully, my anticipated terror usually melts away into…

Continue reading...

“A Day of Writing with Authors” October 25, 2016 – Posted in: Activity, Books, Edwin Fontanez, Events, News

On October 21, Edwin Fontánez spent the day at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD for “A Day of Writing with Authors.” The event was organized and curated by the incredibly talented, indefatigable author and artist, Sallie Lowenstein, whose true passion for writing is not limited to her work but includes inspiring and encouraging writing and reading in young aspiring talent. Sally assembled a wonderfully varied program that brought middle school and high school students together…

Continue reading...

KC Family Day: Con las Puertas Abiertas – Posted in: Activity, Books, Edwin Fontanez, Espanol, Events, News, Poetry, Video

On October 1, Exit Studio joined “KC Family Day: Con las Puertas Abiertas,” a joyous event at the Kennedy Center dedicated to entertaining both parents and children with Latino music, performances, crafts, and art-making. Edwin Fontánez hosted a poetry writing workshop that was a verifiable hit with aspiring poets and adults alike. It was so great to interact with young creative minds! Here are some video highlights: And a few photos:

Continue reading...

Exit Studio Fall Tour September 19, 2015 – Posted in: Activity, Books, Edwin Fontanez, Events, News

Come out to these great events and meet us this fall! Edwin will be signing books, offering fun activities, and more! And best of all—they’re FREE! ZooFiesta Sat., Sep. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. National Zoo Washington, D.C. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with demonstrations of animals native to Latin America, fun family activities, musical entertainment, educational activities, and authentic cuisine. Virginia Children’s Book Festival Fri., Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Longwood University Farmville, VA Edwin will…

Continue reading...

Last Seen in San Francisco July 2, 2015 – Posted in: Edwin Fontanez, Illuminated Forest, News

“Anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco…” –Oscar Wilde That might as well have been the axiom that characterized us, a select group of Latino writers, over the past few days during the 2015 International Latino Book Awards in that glorious vintage city. Back in April when I was informed that my illustrated novel The Illuminated Forest was a finalist in the category Best YA Fiction Book – English, I began…

Continue reading...

Reflexiones de una noticia “iluminada”… April 28, 2015 – Posted in: Books, Edwin Fontanez, Espanol, Illuminated Forest, News

Ya ha pasado bastante tiempo desde mi último mensaje, aunque no tenga otra explicación de que el pasado año ha sido dedicado a la promoción de mi más reciente novela The Illuminated Forest y los consecuentes retos que conllevan dicha responsabilidad. Aunque excitante y a veces hasta divertido, la promoción de un libro es siempre un reto de grandes proporciones (considerando que anualmente se lanzan al mercado ¡más de un millón de libros!). No es…

Continue reading...

Thoughts on Some “Illuminating” News… April 27, 2015 – Posted in: Books, Edwin Fontanez, Illuminated Forest, News

It’s been a long time since my last update but I have no explanation other than the past year has been dedicated to a full-on promotion of The Illuminated Forest and the ups and downs that come with such an effort. Although it can be fun and exciting, the promotion of a book is always a huge challenge (considering more than a million books are launched annually!). Needless to say, the competition for attention—or even…

Continue reading...

“The Illuminated Forest” Wins Major Book Award April 25, 2015 – Posted in: Books, Edwin Fontanez, Illuminated Forest, News

Edwin Fontánez’s debut novel The Illuminated Forest has been designated a Finalist in the category “Best Young Adult Fiction Book – English” for the International Latino Book Awards. Presented by Latino Literacy Now, an organization co-founded by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler, and co-presented by Las Comadres de las Americas, and Reforma, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos, the ILBA 2015 recipients include Carlos Santana, Sheila E, Richard Blanco,…

Continue reading...

Q & A with Edwin Fontánez March 24, 2015 – Posted in: Edwin Fontanez

What led you to create Exit Studio? It really happened naturally. Mostly because I wanted to write the stories I never heard when I was a little boy. It has also become the cocoon that encompasses my personal and artistic ambitions. It’s a place where I can create any fantastic setting or reinvent my point of view at my pleasure. But then again, that’s every artist’s goal. The name itself—Exit—comes from my childhood misunderstanding that…