Author Anika Fajardo to deliver Carleton convocation
In her presentation, she suggests that it is up to each of us to decide what portrait to paint for our own lives.
Anika Fajardo, author of “Magical Realism for Non-Believers: A Memoir of Finding Family” and “What If a Fish,” will deliver Carleton College’s weekly convocation address on Friday, Oct. 9, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. over Zoom. In her presentation, she suggests that it is up to each of us to decide what portrait to paint for our own lives.
Fajardo was born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota. A former librarian, she is a writer, editor, mentor and educator. In her 2019 memoir, “Magical Realism for Non-Believers: A Memoir of Finding Family,” she tells her story of emigrating to the United States. Kirkus Reviews called it “A forthright and sensitive tale of a daughter’s quest.” She is also the author of “What If a Fish,”a 2020 middle grade novel thatis a generational story of family identity.
Her writing has appeared in various publications such as Los Angeles Review of Books, Literary Mama, Hippocampus Magazine and in anthologies including Brief Encounters: A Collection of Contemporary Creative Nonfiction and Sky Blue Water: Great Stories for Young Readers. She also writes book reviews for Publishers Weekly. Her work has earned awards from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Loft Literary Center, and the Jerome Foundation.
Along with her writing, Fajardo works with writers of all ages both one-on-one and in the classroom. She teaches creative nonfiction in Augsburg University’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program and creates and designs websites for writers, artists, and other creatives. She currently serves on the board of the Loft Literary Center.
Fajardo received her BA from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her Master of Library & Information Science at San Jose State University.
This Hispanic Heritage Convocation is sponsored by the Office of Intercultural and International Life. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-4308.