In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are proud to showcase a wonderful interview between our authors P.A. Cornell and Pedro Iniguez. This is a vibrant chat between two Latinx speculative fiction writers, exploring how their heritages influence their writing, as well as discussing their current and upcoming projects!

P.A. Cornell: Hey, Pedro! It’s great to have this chance to chat with you a little bit, my friend. So, it’s that time of year again, Hispanic Heritage Month, what do you say we start with that in mind? I know you’ve explored your heritage through your work, most recently with your poetry collection Mexicans on the Moon, so my question is, do you feel a responsibility or duty to represent your culture in the stories you write, or is it just something that comes through regardless?

Pedro Iniguez: Hey, Patty! Great question. Earlier in my writing career I did feel a responsibility. I started writing in 2009 and there weren’t as many Latinx writers getting published in the spec world as there are today, so I felt a duty to put some representation on the page for any possible readers out there. Nowadays, it’s a bit more organic. Sometimes I explore my characters’ background in a way that directly influences the story, and other times I may write a Latino character in name only, happy to just have them exist and going on whatever adventure I’ve set them on.

P.A.: So when you’re more consciously exploring your background through fiction, are there specific things about your heritage that you’re trying to convey to readers?

Pedro: Absolutely. There are a few things such as music, food, and folklore that feature in some of my stories and poetry. Other times it may be the unique struggles faced by Mexican-Americans or Mexicans, such as racism, immigration, corruption, poverty, etc. Not to say that those things are uniquely or culturally Chicano, but they are unwanted realities that shape the Chicano/Mexican experience for some.

Pedro: So, let me ask you: Has your Chilean background influenced your writing in any way? Do you include Latinx or Hispanic characters in your stories? If so, does their heritage play an integral role, or do you simply push that information to the background?

P.A.: For me, it varies by story. I think my background is a part of me and as such will always influence how I view the world, so it’s always present in everything I write, even if it’s some silly SF/humor story about aliens or something. But of course I’ve also included my heritage very deliberately in some of my work. My story “El Bordado” is very much inspired by my family, and our immigrant journey. I also recently wrote a horror story that incorporates Chilean mythology, history, and some family lore. That one hasn’t sold yet but I’m hoping it’ll find a home soon. And I’ve also included other non-Chilean Latinx characters in my stories, for instance, “Natali,” in my novella, Lost Cargo, who is Cuban, or the blended Venezuelan-Mexican family I include in my story, “440 Broad Street, Apartment 4C.” As an immigrant to Canada, I spent my childhood surrounded by other Hispanic immigrants (not necessarily Chilean) who became my adopted tíos, tías, and primos. So it just makes sense to include them in my work.

Pedro: That’s wonderful! I love learning about the mixed upbringings and characters you write. By the way, your story, “Once Upon a Time at the Oakmont,” was a finalist for the 2024 World Fantasy Award and you also became the first Chilean Nebula Award finalist! Could you discuss that experience? What it meant to you? 

P.A.: It’s surreal, man. I don’t know if some writers actually strive to be nominated for awards, but I sure didn’t have that in mind when I wrote that story. It’s my favorite story I’ve written to date, but I certainly wasn’t hoping for more than that it sell to a market where people might read it. The fact that it received such a positive reaction from readers is of course, amazing. And being the first Chilean Nebula finalist is certainly cool. I’m actually not sure if the same is true for World Fantasy, or the Aurora Award, which it was also a finalist for. But I guess for me the key here is the word “first.” To me that means there will be more to come, and I certainly hope so. I want to see other Chilean writers find their way to major genre award nominations. So much great fiction has come out of my home country, but most of it in Spanish, so it doesn’t get considered for these awards. My hope is that other Chilean writers will be able to cross that barrier to get the recognition they deserve.

P.A.: But turning back to your work, how would you describe your fiction to someone who’s never read anything by Pedro Iniguez before?

Pedro: Oof, that’s a tricky one because I write widely across different genres and subgenres. I write weird fiction, cosmic horror, body horror, cyberpunk, military SF, fantasy, etc. But I think one common thread may be how often my characters are Latino. I tend to put Mexican or Mexican-American characters in most of my tales and send them out into wild adventures or horrifying scenarios. Also, a lot of my horror stories take place in the desert, the southwest, or border towns. A lot of my SF stories take place in ecologically rich or lush environments. So, Latino-centric, sparse/rich environments, speculative, and, hopefully, entertaining.

Pedro: Let me ask you something similar: To people who may be discovering you for the first time, could you describe yourself and your writing career briefly? What have been your proudest achievements?

P.A.: [Laughs] You’re right, it is hard to encompass so much into a single answer, but I’ll try my best to keep it brief. I’ll say I’m a science fiction, fantasy, and horror writer—in that order. I’m primarily known for my short fiction, but I’ve written some longer stuff too and there’s more to come. I tend to write a lot about human interactions. There might be tropes at play, but my stories are always grounded in that human element. As for my proudest achievements, obviously being a finalist this year for multiple writing awards is a big one, and something that was totally unexpected. But honestly, as awesome as that is, I think it’s also super important to be proud of little achievements that maybe don’t shine as bright. Just being able to write and publish consistently is something to be proud of, and certainly a thing I never take for granted.

P.A.: Okay, let’s talk a little bit about the work we have coming out through our mutual publisher, Stars and Sabers. Without spoiling anything for readers, what can you tell me about, “Cruel Machinations,” and Echoes and Embers?

Pedro: So, “Cruel Machinations,” is a horror story I wrote for the Of Shadows, Stars, and Sabers anthology. It’s a horror/science-fiction hybrid set in a Mexican border town (See? My common tropes?) with a sprinkle of meta elements.

Echoes and Embers is my science-fiction/fantasy collection, and I am so very proud of it. It’s found a great home at Stars and Sabers Publishing because publishers Jendia Gammon and Gareth Powell are titans of speculative fiction and champions of diverse voices.

P.A.: I could not agree more. And I can’t wait to read all this new fiction you have on the horizon. Both these projects sound awesome!

Pedro: That means so much, coming from you! Now, let’s get to your upcoming slate. You have a novelette coming out from Stars and Sabers Publishing in 2026! Congratulations! Can you discuss this project a bit?

P.A.: You bet. My new book is called, Shoeshine Boy & Cigarette Girl, and like “Oakmont” it’s something I didn’t plan on writing, it just came to me one day. It’s a blend of genres in that it takes place in an alternate Toronto that’s retro-futuristic, the plot has some noir touches, and it involves a love story. I knew when I wrote it that it might be a tough sell, being novelette length and having so much going on in terms of genres. But I believe it found the perfect home with Star and Sabers because I know Jendia and Gareth, being cross-genre champions, would get it like few others would. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say they have some amazing plans for this book that are better than I had ever hoped for so I’m super excited to see it published. I can tell you it’s a fun little story with characters readers will love—none of whom have proper names because that’s what this story told me it wanted me to do, and when a story gives me instructions, I listen.

Pedro: Honestly, that sounds so up my alley. Looking forward to that!But now,here’s a little something non-writing related: What is your favorite Chilean food?

P.A.: That’s an easy one. Hands down my mom’s beef empanadas. They have to specifically be my mom’s because although I’ve had a lot of great empanadas in my day, I’ve yet to find better ones than hers. I know that sounds biased, but many other people who’ve tried hers feel the same way. I’m calling it scientific fact. My mom makes the best empanadas on the planet, period. My heart breaks for those who won’t get a chance to try them.

P.A.: How about you? If you had to pick your go-to Mexican dish, what would it be?

Pedro: I think I’m also in the mom camp here. My favorite food (not just Mexican dish) is my mom’s caldo de pollo! It’s something I enjoy any time of the year (yes, even on the hottest days, as is customarily Mexican!). Echoing what you said, my mom’s recipe is the absolute best. I’ve tried to replicate the flavor for years and can’t come close to the way she makes it. Now I want a bowl!

P.A.: Me too! Who doesn’t love a good caldo de pollo (that’s chicken soup for the uninitiated)? I think next time we chat it should definitely be over some good comfort food.

Pedro: Nothing like Latin-American food (and stories) to bring people together. All the love! Thanks for this wonderful interview, Patty! It’s been great learning more about you!

P.A.: Thank you, as well. It’s been great talking shop with you.

Thank you, P.A. Cornell and Pedro Iniguez!

Be sure to learn more about P.A. Cornell on her website, and Pedro Iniguez on his website. We can’t wait to share their stories and books with you soon!