Breaking News
Jean Pierre Rueda Honored at the 2025 International Latino Book Awards for Amor Entre Aguaceros
Los Angeles, CA – October 2025 — Award-winning poet and author Jean-Pierre Rueda, known on social media as @poetatico, has been officially recognized as a finalist at the 2025 International Latino Book Awards for his bilingual poetry collection “Amor Entre Aguaceros / Love Between Downpours.”
The book, which earned a nomination for the Juan Felipe Herrera Best Poetry Book Award – Bilingual, stands as a testament to the beauty of bilingual storytelling and the power of poetry to bridge cultures, languages, and generations.
A Voice Rooted in Heritage and Humanity
Jean-Pierre Rueda is a poet, published author, and cultural advocate born in San José, Costa Rica, and currently based in Compton, California.
He is the author of Herencias and Amor entre aguaceros / Love Between Downpours, a bilingual poetry collection that honors the journey of reconnecting to one’s homeland through imagination and language. His newest book, Amor Entre Aguaceros, is a finalist for the 2025 Juan Felipe Herrera Award for Best Poetry Book – Bilingual, presented through the International Latino Book Awards, the largest Latino literary recognition event in the world.
Through his work, Rueda celebrates his Costa Rican heritage while shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of immigrants living in the United States. His writing combines emotional depth with social reflection, creating poetry that resonates across borders and experiences.
A Champion of Community and Culture
Beyond his work on the page, Jean-Pierre Rueda is deeply involved in nurturing community engagement through art. He is the co-host of “Poesía for the People,” a bi-monthly bilingual open mic series in Downey, California, which brings together local artists and touring poets to create meaningful dialogue and appreciation for poetry in public spaces.
His events and performances have been featured in bookstores, on radio, at film festivals, corporate events, and bilingual stage productions across Southern California, reflecting his mission to make poetry accessible, relevant, and transformative.
About the Book — Amor Entre Aguaceros
Amor Entre Aguaceros / Love Between Downpours is an evocative bilingual poetry collection exploring love, memory, migration, and identity. With poetic language that flows between Spanish and English, the book takes readers on a journey through emotional storms toward healing and belonging.
The collection highlights how language can serve as both refuge and resistance — a bridge to the past and a tool for shaping the future. For Rueda, each poem becomes an act of preservation and pride, celebrating Latino culture while amplifying the voice of immigrants and first-generation experiences.
A Remarkable Recognition
In a heartfelt announcement, Rueda expressed his gratitude for this recognition from Empowering Latino Futures, the organization behind the International Latino Book Awards:
“This is an incredible recognition, and I’m very grateful for the support of the judges,” Rueda said. “Being acknowledged by such a vital organization that celebrates Latin literature and cultural excellence means so much to me. Thank you to everyone who has read and supported my work.”
In October 2025, Rueda will learn whether his book has received the Gold, Silver, or Bronze Medal during the official awards ceremony.
Celebrating Latin Excellence
The International Latino Book Awards continue to shine a light on authors who elevate the richness of Latino culture and identity through literature. Jean-Pierre Rueda’s recognition as a finalist reinforces his place as one of the most promising bilingual poets of his generation — a creator who transforms personal history into universal truth.
His journey from San José to Compton reflects the essence of the Latin American story — resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of connection through words.
About Jean-Pierre Rueda
Jean-Pierre Rueda (@poetatico) is an award-winning Costa Rican–American poet, author, and cultural advocate based in Compton, California. He is the author of Herencias and Amor Entre Aguaceros / Love Between Downpours, a finalist for the 2025 International Latino Book Awards.
As the co-host of Poesía for the People in Downey, Rueda continues to foster bilingual artistic expression while empowering his community through poetry, performance, and cultural advocacy.
