Award-Winning Author Melissa Lozada-Oliva to Appear at Brookdale Community College on December 3

Acclaimed poet and novelist Melissa Lozada-Oliva, known for her distinctive voice and witty exploration of identity, culture, and belonging, will visit Brookdale Community College on Tuesday, December 3. The event, part of the Dr. Carl Calendar Visiting Writers Series, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Student Life Center, Navesink III, at Brookdale’s Lincroft campus.

Lozada-Oliva, a Guatemalan-Colombian American writer, has received widespread recognition for her latest novel, Candelaria, named one of the Best Books of 2023 by USA Today, Vogue.com, and HipLatina. Candelaria has captivated readers with its sharp cultural insights, tongue-in-cheek humor, and poignant look at identity politics against the backdrop of a zombie apocalypse. “With Tongue-in-cheek humor and sharp cultural criticism, this novel is an unforgettable exploration of identity politics, the zombie apocalypse, and the dangers of wanting to belong at any cost,” said Xochitl Gonzalez of The TODAY Show.

In addition to reading from her work, Lozada-Oliva will discuss her writing journey and the themes that shape her work, including the complexities of identity, cultural belonging, and self-discovery. The event is a unique opportunity for the Brookdale community to engage with one of today’s most innovative voices in contemporary literature.

The event is free and open to the public, co-sponsored by Student Life & Activities, The Wellness Center, and The Center for Transformative Learning. For more information, contact Professor Suzanne Parker, Director of Brookdale’s Creative Writing Program, at sparker@brookdalecc.edu.