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About Mike

Mike Padilla is a native Californian in love with his state and its inhabitants that inspire his stories. His characters run the gamut of personalities, from cholos to movie stars, from elderly comadres to party-seeking club rats. His books include the novel “The Girls from the Revolutionary Cantina” (Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press, 2010) and the short story collection “Hard Language” (Arte Publico Press, 1997).

Padilla was born in Oakland, CA in 1964 and grew up in neighboring San Leandro. He has received numerous awards, including the UC Irvine Chicano/Latino Literary Award and an Artist Fellowship from the California Arts Council.