About Me:
Ericka Carmona-Vega is the author of RISE: The West Awakens, a hopeful and inspiring standalone novel and the first in a series of reawakened Aztec gods who transcend time and space.
Early blurb from Michael Zapata and Jac Jemc:
"RISE: The West Awakens is a work of power and corazón. The rebellious, loving, and richly drawn teenagers at the heart of this extraordinary debut YA novel, who are also nothing less than Aztec gods, offer us a vision of what is possible when we consider both the strength of our communal bonds and those of our shared and mighty ancestors. Ericka Carmona-Vega has gifted us with a fierce and transformative novel."
—Michael Zapata, author of THE LOST BOOK OF ADANA MOREAU: A Novel
"RISE: The West Awakens is a story of parallel cultural moments that reveal the power and beauty of activism. It artfully uncovers the way layers of history coexist, merge and reignite over time. This book will absorb its readers absolutely and then release them energized and mobilized. A new masterpiece for audiences young and old, who believe in the possibilities the future holds."
— Jac Jemc, author of THE GRIP OF IT and EMPTY THEATRE
In 2022, Ericka was awarded a StoryStudio Chicago fellowship to study fiction with Ingrid Rojas Contreras. She completed two “Novel in a Year” programs with StoryStudio Chicago, guided by Jac Jemc and Michael Zapata. In addition, she is the recipient of the Dana Wood Chaney Writers Fund.
Ericka is the founder of Flor y Canto Academy, LLC Consulting. She has over 25 years of experience in people & culture, DEI, leadership coaching, and development. Ericka helps bring best practices, strategy, training, and process improvement that help organizations lead into the future.
Ericka has a bachelor’s degree in history from UC Berkeley, and a master’s in education from UCLA.
Clients:
Ericka partners with organizations and leaders in change management efforts and visualization of the future of work. She has served clients at Sotera Health, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Illinois State Appellate Defender, where she led leadership coaching and development efforts, process improvement, program strategy, and implementation.
You may find Ericka writing, reading, daydreaming, traveling, and hiking while not coaching and consulting with clients.