Luz Mack is a dynamic, results-focused healthcare professional with 10 plus years of operational experience and performance and people management, along with successfully delivering operational excellence through the implementation of broad strategies and policies. With a Master’s degree focused in Public Affairs and Administration, Luz is a strong program and project management professional also skilled in nonprofit organizations, event management, compliance, leadership, and business development.
Yet, when she isn’t immersed in her career, Luz enjoys writing poetry and children’s book. She is passionate and dedicated to helping young children fall in love with reading and learning through beautiful illustrations. Meet this week’s author spotlight below.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Luz, Luz?
Luz: I feel that I am still really learning who I am. Can you believe that? I am amazed by the simple notion of discovering what makes me tick. I kept identifying my role and letting that sum up who I am! I am a daughter, a sister, a mother, a wife, a friend, and a Christian woman but that doesn’t explain who I am. I had to understand myself in every sense of the word to know what makes me who I am. It took me a while to learn that I am a sensitive, funny, and a live wire that is learning to live in the moment. The central point of who I am or the keystone is my faith and family and it is because of them that I owe it to myself to find myself and do all I can to love myself right so I can give love more abundantly and I feel that is the essence of who I am.
Fancy: So you’re a professional by day and writer by night. What sparked your interest in writing?
Luz: I didn’t realize it then but, I always kept a journal and I found it therapeutic and call the process a release of cathartic expressions. When I journal it would be little notes, poems, or just anything I wanted to write down. I remember this one evening a coworker and close friend by the name of Yariza Rodriguez and I were riding the train home together and somehow we started talking about writing. I don’t remember what sparked the conversation but I had shared with her that at times I would write poems. She encouraged me to pick a poem and read it to her, I was a bit shy, but gave in to her wishes. I read one of the poems and she really liked it. I think she even asked me to read it to her again! It makes me smile now thinking about her reaction. It was the first time I shared my writing to someone other than my family. I was very scared and I remember before she got off the train, she looked at me with this look that I never really saw before, and she made sure I was listening, and said, “This is good! You have to put a book together.†It was the first time I had a friend tell me this and it really motivated me to continue writing.
Fancy: What prompted your decision to write children’s books?
Luz: I really enjoyed reading books to my kids before going to bed and I noticed the books that we were reading didn’t capture families of color, children of color, or children from different countries. While that was heavy on my mind, I came across a quote from Beverly Cleary that said: “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelf, write it.†I decided to challenge myself and create my first bilingual children’s book, and to my surprise, this is what really made me fall in love with the world of writing.
Fancy: I noticed the name Maria in two titles, so is it actually a book series?
Luz: Yes! Pequeña MarÃa/ Little MarÃa-2nd Edition is very reminiscent of my childhood memories and my siblings’ childhood memories. This book introduces us to MarÃa who is happy to share the beautiful things of her world with our readers.
The second book is MarÃa la Súper Ayudante/ MarÃa the Super Helper was inspired by Saturday morning’s house cleaning that always ended up an entire family affair.
Fancy: Please tell us a little about your latest book, Maria the Super Helper.
Luz: This book captures MarÃa and her siblings helping around the house with house chores. What makes this book unique is that you don’t see little children cleaning with modern-day appliances but you see them dusting, helping feed farm animals, and cleaning in a playful way.
Fancy: You also offer some books in Spanish editions. I love that, but why did you do so?
Luz: The first edition of Pequeña MarÃa/ Little MarÃa was released on October 25, 2016, and I remember it was important to me for the book to capture bilingual homes so it can be very inclusive. I worked hard to make the book available in English + Spanish, English + French, and an English + Italian book. To my surprise, my first edition of the book which was really a proof of concept became an Amazon bestseller. A couple of years later, I decided to revamp my main character, MarÃa, redesign the books, and add activity pages in the back of the books but was only able to offer the books in English+ Spanish. I do hope to make the redesigned books available in different languages.
Fancy: If I was a mom shopping for books for my little one, why should I select one of yours?
Luz: Little MarÃa is reminiscent of my childhood. It is a one-of-a-kind bilingual children’s book, but I’ve come to learn that it has an international reach because so many children in immigrant families can relate to my experiences. This will really inspire children to learn from each other and will even motivate them to learn about their own families’ upbringings/culture.
Fancy: When you aren’t working or writing, what do you enjoy doing?
Luz: When I am not working, or writing my favorite thing to do is be as lazy as ever in the comfort of home! I love binge-watching t.v., ordering food, and hearing the little ones playing at home. I don’t get a lot of downtimes because as a busy mother of three and a wife it seems that we are always running around.
Fancy: Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Luz: The next project I am working on is lovingly titled Nathaly the Brave. This short story is also based on a childhood experience from when I was little and scared of the dark and monsters that lurked under my bed. My little sister Nathaly Agosto Filión has always come to my rescue. In the book, our heroine rocks a hearing aid and knows American Sign Language!
Connect with Luz below.
I welcome you to learn more about me and join our story by following us on:
Facebook: Luz Mack Official
Instagram: @luzmackofficial
Website: www.luzmack.com
Apparel can be found via www.luzmack.com and also via IG @luzmackofficial
