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A Voice from the West: Open Call from Las Marías Editorial
Open Call for Puerto Rican Women Writers
Not long ago, we reviewed El Librito Vol. 2: A Boricua Summer That Never Ends, published by Las Marías Editorial, and we couldn’t stop thinking about how necessary it is to keep amplifying the voices of women who write from, for, and about Puerto Rico. We’re excited to imagine that this time, a voice from the west of the island could join their catalog and share her unique perspective.
Who Are Las Marías Editorial
Mariana González, an editor and publishing manager with more than eight years of experience in the book industry, founded Las Marías Editorial in November 2022. It is a traditional, self-managed publishing house that publishes fiction and nonfiction works written by women and femme-identifying people, with a special focus on social, cultural, and community themes. Its mission is to create a space where difficult conversations, those held over a cup of coffee, find their voice, always with humor, camaraderie, and a festive spirit.
A Publishing House with a Face and Heart
The press is represented by three fictional characters who embody its philosophy and daily work.
Antonia, the editor, shapes and polishes the manuscripts; she loves coffee, good humor, and good company.
Julia, the editorial assistant, organizes calendars, coordinates with authors, and keeps everything running smoothly.
Teresa, the designer, transforms each manuscript into a beautiful book; she masters InDesign, comes up with solutions on the fly, and is a fan of naps and Gilberto Santa Rosa.
Together, they represent the heart of Las Marías: quality, care, community, and fun.
In addition to publishing books, Las Marías runs the Mamita María Workshop. It’s a virtual school offering courses on editing and publishing management, training new professionals and sharing their knowledge to raise the quality of book publishing in Puerto Rico and beyond.
2025–2026 Call for Submissions: Mujeres que escriben
Las Marías Editorial has opened its 2025–2026 Call for Submissions: Mujeres que escriben, aimed at women and femme-identifying people from Puerto Rico and Colombia. They are seeking completed, unpublished Spanish-language manuscripts ready for editing, exploring themes of intimacy, relationships, and social, political, or cultural reflection.
Eligible works include literary or romance novels, essays, and memoirs with a critical or testimonial perspective. They will not consider genres such as epic fantasy, science fiction, crime, or horror.
Manuscripts must be between 100 and 300 pages, letter size, in Times New Roman or Arial, double-spaced. They must include a brief synopsis (max. 300 words) and a short bio (max. 200 words).
Only selected authors will be contacted. They will sign a rights transfer contract for 3 to 5 years. Participation in the call does not guarantee publication.
The call opened September 22, 2025, closes January 31, 2026. Selected authors will be announced on March 13, 2026.
For more information or to submit, interested writers may email manuscritos@lasmariaseditorial.com.
Why We Want a Voice from the West
From this side of the island, we know there are stories still untold. Stories of the sea, small towns, Boricua humor that survives hurricanes, and women who sustain entire communities with their words. That’s why we’d love for a writer from the west to bring her story; strong, honest, and full of the flavor of the coast and coffee, to the pages of Las Marías Editorial.
How to Participate
To apply, simply complete the submission form on the Las Marías Editorial website and attach:
- Your complete manuscript in Word format
- A synopsis (max. 300 words)
- A short bio (max. 200 words)
You can find all official information on Las Marías Editorial’s social media.
Let’s Write from the West!
We’re thrilled to see spaces like this continue to grow and build a literary community from Puerto Rico. Hopefully, the next story they publish will carry the accent, charm, and magic of the west.
If you’d like to see the kind of work that embodies these values, read El Librito Vol. 2: A Boricua Summer That Never Ends, a publication by Las Marías that reflects their editorial care and love for local stories.
El Librito Vol. 2: A Boricua Summer That Never Ends – What’s Up Rincón