Meet Alex Temblador | Award-winning Author and Freelance Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Temblador and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m the award-winning author of two novels, Secrets of the Casa Rosada and Half Outlaw. My third book and first foray into non-fiction, will be published in 2024 by St. Martin’s Press. It’s a writing craft book called Writing An Identity Not Your Own, that will teach creative writers what it takes to write characters that have different and/or historically marginalized identities.

I’ve had shorter creative writing pieces included in outlets like D Magazine and PALABRITAS, as well as in two anthologies, Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America and Speculative Fiction for Dreamers: A Latinx Anthology. As part of my creative writing career, I sometimes teach creative writing classes or give presentations to universities, at conferences, etc. I also run a series in Dallas called LitTalk, where I moderate a panel with DFW-based authors, and we discuss creative writing topics. It’s held at Whose Books about four times a year and is sponsored by The Writer’s Garret and WritingWorkshops.com. 

I’m also an award-winning freelance journalist known for my coverage of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. I’ve covered subjects like travel, design, architecture, culture, art, homes, the outdoors, and lifestyle in outlets like Travel + Leisure, Fodor’s Travel, Conde Nast Traveler, Dwell, Architectural Digest, Outside, Dallas Morning News, The Daily Beast, among many others.

I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned as an author is that there are many ways to grow a literary career. No matter what challenges I may face, it’s all worth it. I love writing books and connecting with readers through my stories and words. 

Now for my career as a freelance writer, it has changed quite a bit since 2015. It started out quite slowly but took off in 2016/2017. I became known as a travel writer and now have the opportunity to take press trips to different countries around the world. The pandemic really challenged me to pivot my writing career and cover different subjects including homes, the outdoors, architecture, art, and design. I’m thankful I did this — not only because I found new jobs — but because it has expanded my interest for writing different subjects. I’m becoming a better writer because of it.

It has always been my goal as a writer –whether as an author or a freelance writer — to use my abilities to make the world a better place. These days, I feel like I’m stepping into a new phase of my writing career, and I look forward to seeing where it leads me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a travel journalist, I love to show visitors to Dallas a great time. I think the rest of the nation has this idea of Dallas that isn’t quite true so it’s fun to show people how different this city really is to their preconceived ideas. Check out my little itinerary below: 

Day 1: Oak Cliff

Shop among the stores of Jefferson Boulevard, Davis Street, and N Bishop Avenue. Grab a book from Whose Books, the only Latine-owned bookstore in Dallas, or have your tarot read at SoulTopia Holistic Boutique. A traditional Mexican breakfast is a must at Gonzalez Restaurant, while lunch should be had on the patio of Paradiso or Casablanca. Wild Detectives is a great spot for drinks or fun events in the evening and if you want to splurge on dinner, head to Stock & Barrel. 

Day 2: Outdoor fun

Dallas is full of outdoorsy activities – which most travelers aren’t aware of. Go for a hike at Cedar Hill State Park or the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve. The Great Trinity Forest Trail which goes through the Joppa Preserve is great for cyclists. Perhaps spend the day kayaking or sailing on White Rock Lake. You could also book a kayaking trip down the Trinity River! If it’s the summer, take a dip in the pool at Lee Harvey’s Dive In. 

Day 3: The Arts

Most people aren’t aware that Dallas has a huge arts scene. You could spend days visiting all the hot spots in the Arts District. My favorite is the Nasher Sculpture Center. I love the sculptures in their garden. Deep Ellum has some great murals and art galleries, as does the Design District. When you’re tuckered out from an artsy exploration of the city, make your way to Lower Greenville in the evening for some shopping, bars, and laid-back fun. 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents were quite nervous when I told them I wanted to be a writer, but 13 years later, they are my biggest supporters. They read my work, share my work on social media, tell strangers they meet on trips about my books and freelance writing career, attend my literary readings or conferences where I’m a guest speaker, listen to all the podcast or video interviews I’ve done, and have even set up booths at local events to sell my book. “Grateful” doesn’t accurately convey how I feel about my parents and their support for my career. I love them so much. (Also – shout out to my brother and sister. They have been super supportive too and I’m always glad they have my back.)

I would be remiss if I did not give a few other shout outs. To Mary C. Moore, my literary agent, who has supported me as an author throughout my career. She’s always been up-front and honest with me and sees the vision that I have as a writer. I’m so thankful she fights for me to get the best deals possible. 

To Eric Bowman, the first editor who allowed me to write about diversity, equity, and inclusion when so many other editors shirked from my pitches and stories. He never tried to control my voice in those articles and always accepted my pitches about DEI, even when he knew that my articles made others in our industry uncomfortable. That’s allyship.

A career like mine is not made without the help of hundreds of people — whether it is friends who attend my literary readings, editors who move from one outlet to another and ask for me to write for that new outlet, colleagues who share editor emails freely, the writers who offered me advice in my early career, or established authors who have blurbed my books. I cannot name them all, but I recognize you and I thank you for all the help and guidance you’ve provided.

Website: https://www.alextemblador.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_temblador/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextemblador/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alex_temblador

Image Credits
Shelbie Monkres (the photos of just me) Francisco Blasco (photos of me speaking and signing a book)