Meet Susana Illera Martinez | Designer, Writer & Award-Winning Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susana Illera Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susana, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
«Time is money» I find that, in a consumer society like ours, we are constantly faced with workloads and economic needs that are often disproportionate. «We have to work more and not waste time, because time is money»; however, I wonder, what does «wasting time» really mean? This goes hand in hand with the notion of recognizing that money is not the only remuneration, treasure or prize that we must value and pursue in exchange for our time. Health (physical, mental and emotional), family and stability are undoubtedly more valuable. And although it is true, we strive to have work and income that allow us to survive and fulfill our most basic needs; I believe in the importance of investing time and creating responsible habits in our professional life, as long as we don’t lose sight of a balance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Hola Miami! My name is Susana and I’m a Designer, Writer and Award-Winning Author. I’m from the beautiful Cali, Colombia; now living in Florida where I enjoy writing poetry, taking pictures of the sunset, my orchids, and my two cats. My passion for writing started when I was young, but it was only a few years ago when I decided to break the seal and leave my fears behind to independently publish my first book «Clara ~ Cuentos & Poemas»; this was just the beginning of many literary projects and adventures I continue to join and embrace. What makes me excited and proud? Just six months after publishing my first children’s book: «Lala; A Different Kind of Lizard», it was awarded with the second place at the International Latino Book Awards in the category of Most Inspirational Children’s Picture books. This recognition arrived in 2020 —the year that brought so many challenges to the world—; and that moment of mixed feelings, excitement and uncertainty, confirmed once more my need to continue writing, creating and «changing the world» one story at a time. I started to work on the second book of the series, Lala and the Pond by The Rock, that will release this year. In addition, I wrote and published «Lo que escribo en la arena», a collection of short stories for youth audience and adults in Spanish. The book reached Amazon’s Best Sellers lists as #1 Literature & Fiction in Spanish and #2 Hispanic American Literature, just a month after its release. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? There’s more to come! More writing, more inspiration, more books and more to talk about. I’d like to send a message to those aspiring authors that have the desire to publish and do not know where to start: Answer your call! Keep writing and start connecting with groups and communities that offer support, tools and training to help you bring your project to complexion; once you see and feel your very own book in your hands… there’s nothing that can stop you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Miami! Its landscape, the water, the sunsets, the food! and the weather (yes, even the humidity and the 3-day “winter”); but one thing that I particularly love is that you never finish discovering places. Recently I’ve been setting my eyes in the nature; the one we don’t see because of the traffic, the construction and the daily rush. Miami and its many towns and neighborhoods have beautiful parks, trails and green spots to spend one hour or the entire day if you please. So, forget shopping! Here’s a couple of my favorite places: The Coral Gables Public Library is this gorgeous old building, with beautiful architecture that gets even more glorified by the fact that it’s surrounded by coconut trees, mature oaks and banyan trees. It has an area called “the garden room”, with many quiet and cozy spaces to just sit, watch the colorful butterflies and enjoy a nice book. Mary Brickell Park is located on Brickell Avenue and SE 6th Street; a small but wonderful spot so green and full of life, that you almost forget you’re standing between the massive buildings, and hotels that are staples of the Financial District. This park has many trees and a lawn area where you can relax with the cool breeze from the bay and the squirrels that most likely will accept your friendship in exchange of a couple of walnuts. And last but not least, your Miami outdoors journey won’t be complete without driving south to the Redlands; an area surrounding the Everglades that has many places to visit and get completely immersed in the subtropical climate of South Florida. Here you’ll find farms, nurseries (with stunning Orchids, exotic trees, succulents and locally grown fruits and vegetables), wineries; and if you have a sweet tooth, you’d be delighted with the Pecan-Cinnamon Buns from Knaus Berry Farms.

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 shoutout goes to the Hispanic Heritage Literature Organization / Milibrohispano, a non-profit institution that promotes Hispanic authors and creates programs and efforts aimed to represent and preserve our Spanish language worldwide, but especially in the United States. When I decided to pursue my passion for writing and publishing my first book, I attended an event that caught my attention and gave me the hope of finding other writers in Miami that I could connect with. This event is the Hispanic Heritage Book Fair; organized every year in the month of October by Milibrohispano. I was not wrong; not only have I met a great number of talented writers, literacy promoters and other valuable individuals that were a match for my creativity and aspirations; but also, I was lucky to meet HHLO’s President and Award-Winning Author Pilar Vélez. It’s been almost three years since that event, and I am certain that Pilar has been instrumental in my journey as an author; her talent, vocation and passion for the literary world is only surpassed by her generous spirit; always looking for opportunities —not for herself— but for the writers and artists that have trusted her with their projects, knowing that she will open a window, not only to the most academic and experienced, but to the aspiring authors, like myself. Milibrohispano has become a part of my career; I got involved and constantly volunteer work for the organization, with the certainty that giving to the community can only bring back the best return and satisfaction; for your professional and personal growth.

Website: www.susanaillera.com

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