By Carol Kaufman
Imagine a program that offers Mexican children a chance to experience being a professional writer – that exhilarating moment when a youngster sees his or her short story colorfully illustrated and published into a high-quality book.
Such a project exists, due to the brainchild of Yazz Casillas of Guadalajara. Now in its fifth year, his company “El Pequeño Gran Escritor” (The Little Big Writer) is receiving much deserved acclaim.
In 2014, Casillas, who has been working as a professional illustrator in Guadalajara for more than 20 years, was approached by the government of Zapopan (metro Guadalajara’s second largest municipal district) seeking ideas for a project involving children. Seeing that Mexico had plenty of reading programs and books for children, yet practically zero programs encouraging kids to write, Casillas suggested developing a project in which kids could experience being writers.
The government approved his idea, handed him a budget and went on to promote the contest, while Zapopan’s cultural department covered the cost of printing 500 books.
Needing assistance with the project, Casillas brought on board his brother, Gabriel, who took on the role of editorial director, publishing the winning stories. He also produces a yearly, soft-cover book of non-illustrated stories by the 50 finalists.
Says 31-year-old Gabriel Casillas, “As the project’s creative director and illustrator, Yazz wanted to publish a book of illustrated stories. Having worked in graphic design since I was 13, I could assist him with the lettering and layout.”
Once the contest was announced, children from three age categories – 8 to 9, 10 to 11, and 12 to 13 – submitted their short stories.
That first year, Gabriel, Yazz and another writer read all 100 entries from Zapapon. Last year, they received 700 entries from all of Mexico, and selected 100 finalists.
“From those finalists,” says Gabriel, “we announced the finalist winners, then reduced the count to 50. From those 50, we selected five from each age category, which we turned over to a jury of professional editors and illustrators, who selected one story from each category.”
Once the stories are edited and illustrated, Gabriel oversees the design and production, and a fine-quality, hard-cover book is printed.
He says: “We keep the names of the winners secret until our much anticipated presentation at the International Book Fair in Guadalajara, at the end of November. We invite the 100 finalists to attend with their families, teachers and friends, filling a huge room.”
During the presentation, the brothers post the winning names to the excited crowd, hold up the newly printed book, and present awards and books to the winners. The winners have the opportunity to sign their books and later partake in presentations and interviews.
In launching their 2015 contest, the brothers were able to secure a grant from Jalisco’s Cultural Secretary. Any additional funds needed the brothers took on themselves.
Says Gabriel, “We hired friends to promote the contest by visiting schools throughout Jalisco. Teachers encouraged their students to participate, and we ended up receiving more than 700 entries.”
Last year, they launched their contest throughout Mexico, and were able to secure personal loans to publish the books. Both of the brothers have other jobs and were able to fund the project with their own money.
From the age of 13, Gabriel has worked as a colorist and graphic designer for Guadalajara-born cartoonist “Trino” Camacho, who has earned national acclaim. Along with his involvement with El Pequeño Gran Escritor, Gabriel still works for Camacho, who draws a weekly comic strip for a national newspaper.
Says Gabriel, “When Trino moved to Ajijic eight years ago, he coaxed me and my wife, Abril, into moving there. We thought, what are we going to do in that little village when we’re used to living in the big city.”
After more coaxing and a visit to lakeside, they moved in 2014 and haven’t regretted it. As parents of Luna, their six-year old daughter, they are expecting a baby boy, due this month.
At the end of 2017, the brothers submitted their project to WeWork, a New York-based co-working network connecting people with money. From more than 1,300 projects received from all over Mexico, their project was one of 12 finalists. They won in their category, receiving US$18,000, which will cover last year’s investment and this year’s project.
The brothers are ready to launch this year’s contest. They’re also preparing their book of stories containing the 50 finalists of 2017 which, for the first time, will include illustrations by 50 artists from Latin America and Spain. The book will be published on April 23 – World Book Day – the same day they launch their website’s online store (elgranescritor.com).
Says Gabriel, “We derive much satisfaction from meeting the kids and getting to know their personal stories. We can see how they feel empowered when they get to express themselves through their writing, becoming role models for their peers. Our goal is to keep our project alive and hopefully bring it into other Latin American countries.”