Speaking
I’m an engaging public speaker. I know how to read a room and thoroughly enjoy giving talks to all kinds of audiences. I’m available to speak not only about my books and process, but also about creative process in general and writing fiction in particular.
I’ve given talks at stages such as London Literature Festival, Hay Festival (Wales, Mexico, Cartagena, Segovia), Brighton Festival, Marathon des mots (Toulouse), Lille3000, Inviaggio (Torino), La grande Invasiones (Ivrea), Città del libro (Urbino), Più Libri Più Liberi (Roma), Turku book fair (Finland), etc.
I have also spoken at institutions such as the Norwich Centre for Fiction, Utrecht University, Warwick University, Le Collège International des Traducteurs Littéraires.
I also host my own podcast (in Spanish) about writing and creative process. Even though it only has 30 episodes, it has well over 40,000 downloads.
In early 2024 I’ll be promoting my new book, Veinte, Veintiuno and available for interviews. I will also speak at St Andrews University (Byre Theatre) in February and at Iowa University (where last year I was a runner upper for the Krause Prize for essay) in March 2024.
Reading at Copenhaguen Literature Festival. Photo by Claudia Adeath.
Testimonials
From PENN University:
“Last semester, we read the novel Umami in our advanced Spanish class and had a great conversation with Laia Jufresa. For my students, it was the culmination and highlight of our course. Laia covered topics such as writing, character creation, translation, grief, pain, and how art can be therapeutic; and she answered all their questions with honesty and openness. After the talk, students told me they felt like they had talked to someone they had known for ages, and they could relate to the novel in a deeper and more intimate way. They found reading a novel in Spanish to be a worthwhile challenge, and conversing with the author made it even more fulfilling. Thanks, Laia!.”
Óscar E. Montoya
“Having Laia as a guest was an incredible and invaluable experience for the students. Laia's attitude and openness made the conversation highly engaging. These kinds of events hold great potential for artists and creators, as we delved into topics about creative processes that serve as a guide and inspiration for anyone working and learning in this field.”
Andrea Vega Zárate
Teaching
I’ve taught creative writing workshops in Argentina, Mexico, France, Spain, USA and Kenya.
These days I mostly teach inside my own program ( escribiresunlugar.com ) where I merge my experience as a teacher, coach and author to help female authors bring their books (both fiction and nonfiction) to life. Because this program is only available in Spanish, from time to time I teach elsewhere—most recently at The Centre for Fiction in New York.
“If you've been finding writing difficult or don't have much motivation to write anymore, take this class! Even if you're in a bit of doubt, this can do you a world of good. It's refreshing to remember what you love about a passion..”
— Chuckry Vengadam
If the title of this class sounds appealing to you at all, even slightly, or if you have ever felt frustrated in your writing life, this class is for you. I think all writers would benefit from considering their relationship to writing, and I am grateful to Laia for creating the space to explore this important but under discussed topic. The exercises in the class are profound and useful in equal measure. You will not regret taking this class! (Please keep my answer anonymous).
—MJC
Do it! Laia is a thoughtful, experienced teacher who has firsthand knowledge of the struggles of maintaining a consistent writing practice. This class will provide you with actionable exercises to incorporate in your practice.
—Tristan Willis
About Many Subtle Channels, a workshop I co-created with Valeria Luiselli and we taught in Kenya for the International Literary Seminars.
“A really deep and effective workshop to find different ways into work and think outside the box about your own writing process. The craft exercises offer so many "aha" moments that let you approach your work from completely new angles. There's a real sense of camaraderie with Laia and Valeria, who are so accomplished in their own writing and yet willing to open their toolboxes and share their methods to help you see the possibilities in fiction.
I would highly recommend this course to any writer as it is engaging and has direct questions that triggered me to think consciously about my writing process. I especially loved the sessions on how memory affects my writing and it made me appreciate why I write the way I do. This course made me improve on my writing skills.”
— Gladwell Pamba