Walk me through
your cave
show me the petroglyphs
the stories
you have laboriously pecked on the walls
with your hammer stone,
carved in the light of a lantern
where shadows cast gloom.
I want to see. I want to run
my warm hands along
cold rocks to decipher forms
and feel their rugged ridges.
This light is dim. I need a better view.
Hold my hand and place it where
the scenes begin
that you have etched, with squinted eyes
by a flickering lamp.
I trace them lightly,
my fingers grow numb—
in your cave’s icy hollows
there is no echo of love,
even your stories are silent.
Are you still here or am I
alone?
(c) Neetu Malik
A Slice of Orange started in 2006 as a group of authors from Orange County, California. We have expanded to include authors from around the globe–from the Europe, all across the US, to New Zealand. Our authors include the multi-published and writers at the beginning of their publishing career. In addition to authors, we have featured blog posts from editors, PR professionals, and cover designers.
Veronica Jorge writes a monthly column for A Slice of Orange titled Write from the Heart, where she talks about writing, publishing and reading. She also includes honest but nice reviews of an interesting array of books from children’s picture books to historical fiction to romantic suspense. We hope you enjoy this Showcase of Veronica by The Latinx Writers Mentorship Program.
The Latinx in Publishing Writers Mentorship Showcase Series features excerpts by our Class of 2024 mentees from the projects they’ve developed with the guidance of their mentors.
The LxP Writers Mentorship Program is an annual volunteer-based initiative that offers the opportunity for unpublished and/or unagented writers who identify as Latinx (mentees) to strengthen their craft, gain first-hand industry knowledge, and expand their professional connections through work with experienced published authors (mentors).
Below is an excerpt from one of our 2024 mentees, Veronica Jorge, from her project, Crushed Like Sugarcane, based on her Chinese ancestor, Zhou Zhijian, who left China to work in the sugarcane fields of Cuba where he was enslaved. In this portion, newly arrived and unwilling to accept the situation, he decides to escape:
Zhijian sat in the slave barracoon.
His bunk mate, Gong Mang, nudged him, “What’s eating away at you?
“My family’s waiting to hear from me.”
Gong Mang broke the news to him. “We are not allowed to write home.”
Incredulous, Zhijian asked why.
Gong Mang enlightened him. “To prevent us from writing about our imprisonment.
If the reality of our condition reaches China, the lies of the foreigners will be exposed.”
Zhijian bolted up, eyes open wide. “What about the pay promised in our contracts? When do we receive it? How can I send my family the money if I cannot write to them?”
Gong Mang rested a hand on Zhijian’s shoulder. “Easy brother.” He waited a moment, then whispered, “You won’t see any money.”
Zhijian stared back blankly while Gong Mang explained.
“The mighty man pays, but that crook of an overseer keeps most of it. Although sometimes Diego does give us a little to buy clothing or smokes, we have to buy from his cronies. They make us pay through the nose.”
A-Hing joined the conversation. “It’s impossible to save enough money to get back home. As if they would allow us to leave.”
“True,” added Mang Gi, once your contract is up they force you to renew it.”
Zhijian swallowed hard, afraid to even ask the next question. “How long have you been here?” He searched each man’s face. No one answered. Zhijian’s blood froze. He choked out his next words. “Haven’t any of you tried to escape?”
The men hung their heads.
“Sure,” answered Gong Mang. “Usually the Africans. We seem to prefer suicide.” He pointed to three men sitting in a corner. “Or indulging in yen shee su and smoking ourselves into opie heaven. When you die, they just toss your bones into a pit and burn them together with those of horses and oxen. They need the charred mixture to make their sugar.”
Aghast, Zhijian shuddered. “We have to get out of here! We have to warn our brothers back home. Tell the emperor what is happening.”
The other men in the compound who had been listening laughed.
“Sure. We’ll just stroll right out of here whenever you say.”
Zhijian shouted at them. “Don’t any of you want to get out?”
“We’re polite, so please, after you.” They cackled.
“Ignore them,” urged Gong Mang. “Besides, where would we go? Even if we somehow did make it back to China, do you really think that after all the time we’ve been gone our wives will still be waiting for us?
The reply left Zhijian dumbfounded.
Gong Mang and Mang Gi moved away and joined the smokers and gamblers.
Only A-Hing remained. “I’ll go with you,” he said. “I know the lay of the land.”
Huddled together, they whispered their escape plan.
“Tomorrow, after dinner,” said Zhijian. “We’ll need our strength.”
“Remember, count thirty seconds,” said A-Hing, “then follow close behind me. We’ll go toward the railway shunting yard, cross the tracks, then head for the Yumuri River. There are many caves there where we can easily hide.”
Sleep fled from Zhijian. All night he wondered if escape was futile and questioned why no one had ever tried. Was there something they were not telling him?
When the meal trough came, the food stuck in Zhijian’s throat. Doubt strangled his hope of success, and pulverized last night’s eagerness. “I don’t think I can go through with this,” he whispered to A-Hing.
“Like you said, Zhijian, we have to try. It’s our one chance to get home.”
Zhijian reached the building that housed the grinding machine. He heard voices approaching and ran back. Turning the corner of the building, he flattened his body against the wall.
His breath came in gasps.
His mouth dried up.
His ears pounded.
The voices faded.
Then silence.
Inch by inch, he edged his body along the wall, turned the corner, and found himself face to face with the overseer. Zhijian froze.
Diego’s arm rolled back forming a V-shape from hand to shoulder like a sling shot. His fist flew out like a rock and smashed into Zhijian’s face.
Falling backward, it seemed like a long time before he hit the ground. He was oblivious to the beating that followed.
Zhijian awoke; Diego looming over him.
Diego pointed to Zhijian on the floor of the slave compound where all could see the bloody mess. “This is what happens to those who try to escape.” His eyes bored into each man. Then, he kicked Zhijian and stomped out.
Gong Mang rushed forward to help his friend. Zhijian tried to speak; his slurred words unintelligible through his swollen mouth. Gong Mang leaned in close and made out the raspy question, “Did he get away?”
Gong Mang thought he must be delirious then he realized the question referred to A-Hing. “Yes,” answered Gong Mang.
Zhijian exhaled. “Then it is possible.” Next time I will make it, he said to himself. Next time I’ll get home to my wife and child.
Veronica Jorge is now represented by Charlotte Sheedy of Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency, having met during one of our Writers Mentorship Program events exclusive to the mentees. Congratulations, Veronica!
Manager, Educator, and former High School Social Studies teacher, Veronica Jorge credits her love of history and books to the potpourri of cultures that make up her life, and to her upbringing in diverse Brooklyn, New York. Her genres of choice are historical fiction where she always makes new discoveries; literary works because she loves beautiful writing; and children’s picture books because there are so many wonderful worlds yet to be imagined and visited. Veronica currently resides in Macungie, PA, but she’s still a Brooklyn girl at heart. How sweet it is!
Connect with her on Facebook @VeronicaJorgeauthor.
There are moments in life that reaffirm why we pursue our passions, and my visit to my daughter’s 5th-grade class last month was one of them. (Don’t worry, I only caused her mild embarrassment.) Since my books might be a bit young for these almost-middle-schoolers (Also, how is my baby already on the brink of middle school?!!) I chose to focus on sharing my journey to becoming an author instead of reading from my work. I talked about how my love for writing took root at a young age and grew stronger through journaling, storytelling, and eventually studying English in college.
The students were very engaged in the conversation and their questions were thoughtful and curious. We talked about goal setting—how recognizing our interests early can shape the skills we cultivate. Seeing their excitement reinforced the power of storytelling and the importance of pursuing what sparks joy.
After my visit, the students surprised me with a heartfelt thank-you card, signed by each of them. Their words and appreciation put the biggest smile on my face—a beautiful reminder of why I love sharing my passion for writing.
I left with a renewed sense of purpose, hoping that my visit inspired even one future writer in that room. Because every story begins with an idea, and sometimes, all it takes is encouragement to bring it to life.
BWG is happy to announce the winners, chosen by their terrific guest judge, Adrian Tchaikovsky. They wish to express their thanks to all who entered and permitted them to read their excellent and interesting work.
1st Place: “Smiling Fish” by Avery Other of Lincoln, NE
2nd Place: “Missing Ingredients” by Natalie Bucsko of Cumming, GA
3rd Place: “A Fine Line in the Sand” by Mizuki Yamagen of Louisville, CO
Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order by author’s last name):
“Delivering a New Perspective” by Mounir Derdak of Mississauga ON
“The Singer from Akrotiri” by Larry Ivkovich of Coraopolis, PA
“Peaches” by Avery Other of Lincoln, NE
“The Fish Man of Mahoney Creek” by Jess Simms of Pittsburgh, PA
Don’t forget, BWG will run another contest, starting on January 1, for the 2026 Short Story Award.
I wanted to share my exciting book news – a book release AND an award final announcement! My first book become an award finalist and my second book released, all while on our three-week trip abroad (I will write another post about all the great research I did).
My debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist in the debut category. It is such an honor to be recognized in this way.
I was so surprised. In fact we were at Disneyland, Paris when I started receiving texts early in the AM (think nine hours ahead). I might’ve made a few incoherant sounds as I reached for my laptop to find the website page and confirm before I said something to my family. Sure enough, my book was listed. I think I walked around the parks in a daze that day. As I said, such an honor. Winners will be announced at the ACFW conference gala on September 6.
My second book, A Slight Change of Plans, released May 27th. About midway through our trip. In fact, I was going through the final proof on the plane to London.
Which meant I didn’t have a book in hand with me on my trip. Instead I printed out the cover and glued it to cardstock and carried it around with me taking pictures against major landmarks.
It was my little way to celebrate the release of my book and be able to create this graphic for launch day, announcing it was released to the world.
I took way more than what could fit on one graphic, so I thought I’d share them here. See if you can guess some of the places I visited. Once the book released, I stopped (and kindof wished I hadn’t).
I was staying present for our trip, except to respond to all the well wishes on both announcements.
On release day it rained as we walked to find a coffee shop and breakfast. This is the one picture of me and the book cover that day. I was a little wet and tired (we had walked and walked and walked every day). But still celebrating. A Slight Change of Plans made it to the 7th spot in one of the new release categories on Amazon, and has received many lovely reviews.
This week A Slight Change of Plans is on a blog tour. Click on the link to check out all the interviews, excerpts, and reviews being highlighted this week.
It’s been an exciting month having a book release and become an award finalist. Thank you everyone for your support. I’m so happy to see readers enjoying the story and feeling encouraged. I love to write stories full of faith, hope, and love. If you are interested in learning what inspired and influenced my stories, I wrote this blog post a few months back about it.
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More info →A Slice of Orange is an affiliate with some of the booksellers listed on this website, including Barnes & Nobel, Books A Million, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. This means A Slice of Orange may earn a small advertising fee from sales made through the links used on this website. There are reminders of these affiliate links on the pages for individual books.
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