‘I Think Latinas Are Often Told We’re Not Allowed to Take Care of Ourselves’
Erika L. Sánchez, author of ‘I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,’ on depression, stereotypes, and embracing flaws
Erika L. Sánchez is a 10-year overnight success story. The book she worked on for a decade, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, published in October of 2017, became an instant New York Times bestseller and National Book Award Finalist. The cherry on top? It was recently optioned for a major motion film. At this year’s first Latinx in Publishing event I watched as the audience grew eager, or hesitant, to speak with Erika, suddenly shy in her presence. Erika laughed at audience reactions, unable to grasp how a girl who was once a goth is suddenly so cool. Her humor is quick, witty and filled with a tone that says, “duh,” as if she is trying to figure out why the rest of the world can’t keep up.