Diamonds at Dawn, the sequel to Catalina Claussen's award-winning debut young adult novel, Diamonds at Dusk, was released on March 9 with Progressive Rising Phoenix Press. Claussen says this novel series originated from her obsession with young adult literature and the nagging feeling that much of this genre portrays the lives of urban teens. "There are so many rural teens who search for literature that reflects their experiences, living down dusty dirt roads, surrounded by wild things."

Catalina ClaussenThe result of her efforts are these page-turning romantic adventure novels set right here in the Mimbres Valley.

Claussen attributes both works to the nurturing writing community in Silver City. She counts herself lucky to have been a graduate student in 2012 at WNMU, benefitting from coursework with Sharman Russell and Dr. Mary Leen in the writing program.

As a co-founding language arts teacher at Aldo Leopold Charter School, she has organized a number of writing workshops for her students and in the process learned a great deal from area authors including: Philip Connors, Dr. Emma Bailey, Derek Markham, Denise Chavez, Mary Sojourner, and Damien Davies. So much more is now available to the community with The Southwest Festival of the Written Word. She enjoys close-knit writers' group with Chris Lemme, Mary McLaughlin, Linda Ferrara, and Jane Janson. Claussen works with Lemme to encourage her students to write and contribute to the Silver City Quarterly Review.

Claussen shared her craft with Serena Murillo's 7th grade classes at Snell Middle School on March 19. She looks forward to events being planned with Tranquilbuzz Coffee, Bayard Public Library, Silver City Public Library, the Mimbres Cultural Heritage Site Museum, and a book signing at Battle of the Books in Los Lunas in April.

She is planning a novel release party with her daughter, Ajalaa Claussen on June 2 at Javalina Coffee House 5-7 p.m. In addition to a reading and book signing, the party will include, Ajalaa's new photographic exhibit, music by Mimbres singer/songwriter, Travis Callison, door prizes, and greeting cards available for purchase.