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Quote by Matt de la Pena

“When I finish a book, I'll go to that file and look through them. And I'll say, these are three that really excite me and I want to do them next. You have the business part; of those three, is the publisher excited about one? Is the agent?”

Quote by Matt de la Pena

Author

Matt de la Pena
Matt de la Pena

Matt de la Pena, born on September 9, 1951, is an American writer whose works span a variety of genres, including novels, poetry, and young adult literature. He is known for his profound social insight and depiction of multiculturalism. more

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