A little library news, a big indie author milestone, and a request for my California readers.

I have some exciting news to share, and this one feels particularly special because it involves something I have always believed in: the power of libraries to connect readers with stories they might not otherwise discover.

The Ordinary Bruja, my Dominican gothic horror novel and the first book in the Las Cerradoras trilogy, is now available through Indie California: Discover Books From Local Authors, a digital collection hosted on the BiblioBoard Library platform!

I received the confirmation email, and I had to sit with it for a moment because, as an independent author, getting my books into libraries has been one of those goals I’ve been steadily working toward.

And now, here we are!

But here’s the thing. While this is a wonderful milestone, there is still something you, my readers, can do to help The Ordinary Bruja reach even more people.

What Does It Mean to Be Part of Indie California?

First, let me explain what this means because, admittedly, I had to do a little research myself.

Indie California is part of the Indie Author Project, an initiative that connects independent authors with public libraries and their readers. Through BiblioBoard, participating libraries can offer digital collections featuring independently published books, including stories from local authors.

And I love this concept!

One of the challenges of independent publishing is discoverability. There are so many wonderful stories out there, written by authors from all walks of life, but getting those stories in front of readers isn’t always easy. We don’t necessarily have the marketing budgets, distribution networks, or institutional support that larger publishing houses enjoy.

Libraries help bridge that gap.

They give readers access to books without requiring them to purchase every title that catches their attention. They introduce communities to unfamiliar voices, and they create opportunities for stories to reach people beyond the audiences an author has already built.

For a Dominican-American author writing gothic horror rooted in cultural identity, family inheritance, grief, and generational trauma, that matters to me.

Because somewhere in California, there might be a reader who has never encountered Dominican gothic horror. Maybe they’re looking for a supernatural story with a complicated mother-daughter relationship. Maybe they’re searching for books featuring Latina protagonists, queer characters, or folklore that doesn’t always get the spotlight.

And maybe The Ordinary Bruja will be the story that finds them.

this Post

How Can You Read The Ordinary Bruja Through Your California Library?

If you’re a California reader, here’s the exciting part.

The Ordinary Bruja is now listed in the Indie California digital collection, which means readers with access through participating libraries can discover and read it on BiblioBoard.

Unlike traditional ebook lending systems, where you might have to wait for another reader to return a digital copy, BiblioBoard offers unlimited simultaneous access to its collections.

That’s right. No waiting for someone else to finish reading before you can begin!

Here’s how to get started:

1. Visit The Ordinary Bruja on BiblioBoard.
2. Check whether your public library offers BiblioBoard and the Indie California collection.
3. Follow your library’s instructions for accessing its digital resources. Some libraries require a library card login, while others offer location-based access.
4. Once you have access, search for The Ordinary Bruja by Johanny Ortega and start reading!

And if your library doesn’t currently provide access? Well, that’s where I could use your help.

California Readers, I Have a Favor to Ask!

I would love to see The Ordinary Bruja available to readers across California, not just through digital collections but on physical library shelves as well.

And this is something you can help make happen.

If your local library doesn’t offer BiblioBoard or the Indie California collection, ask your librarian about adding it.

You can mention that The Ordinary Bruja by Johanny Ortega is already included in the Indie California collection and that you’d love to access it through your library.

But there’s another way to help, too.

Request that your library purchase a physical copy of The Ordinary Bruja!

Most public libraries have a way for patrons to suggest books for their collections. Depending on the library system, this might be called a purchase suggestion, a title recommendation, or a request for materials.

You can usually find this option on your library’s website or ask a librarian how to submit one.

Here’s a little message you can use:

Hello! I’d like to recommend The Ordinary Bruja by Johanny Ortega for our library’s collection. It’s an award-winning Dominican gothic horror novel featuring supernatural folklore, family secrets, and a Latina protagonist. The ebook is already available through the Indie California collection on BiblioBoard, and I’d love to see a physical copy available for our community to borrow. Thank you for considering it!

That’s it!

Of course, requesting a book doesn’t guarantee that a library will purchase it. Collection decisions depend on library policies, budgets, and community needs.

But reader requests help librarians understand what their communities want to read.

And that’s worth something.

Why Library Access Matters to Me as an Indie Author

I’ve talked before about how important it is to read outside our lived experiences. I believe fiction gives us opportunities to understand people, cultures, and perspectives that might otherwise remain unfamiliar to us.

But that only works when those stories are accessible.

We often talk about the importance of diverse books, and I agree wholeheartedly. But advocating for diverse literature also means supporting the systems that help readers find those books.

Libraries are one of those systems.

And as an independent author, I know how difficult it can be to get a book noticed, especially when it doesn’t fit neatly into the expectations of mainstream publishing.

The Ordinary Bruja is a slow-burn Dominican gothic horror novel. It carries Spanglish, cultural memory, complicated family relationships, and the kind of dread that creeps beneath your skin rather than jumping out from behind a door.

It’s not a story I wrote to fit into a particular box.

It’s the story I wanted to tell.

And knowing that it now has another avenue to reach readers is something I’m incredibly grateful for.

Help Me Bring More Dominican Gothic Horror to California Libraries

So here’s my ask.

If you’re a California resident and have a public library card, please check whether your library provides access to The Ordinary Bruja through BiblioBoard.

If it doesn’t, consider asking your librarian about the Indie California collection.

And whether your library offers BiblioBoard or not, please consider submitting a purchase request for a physical copy of The Ordinary Bruja.

You can also share this post with fellow California readers, book clubs, librarians, and anyone who enjoys gothic horror, supernatural fiction, or books by Latina authors.

Every request, every recommendation, and every conversation helps make independent literature more visible.

And while I am celebrating this milestone, I also recognize that it’s one step in a much longer journey.

One that I am incredibly grateful to have you all be part of.

Thank you for continuing to support my stories, for recommending them, and for helping me create space for Dominican gothic horror in the literary world.

Now, let’s get this bruja into some libraries!

Find The Ordinary Bruja on BiblioBoard, or explore the book on my website.

And if you submit a library request, let me know! I’d love to hear which California communities are asking for The Ordinary Bruja.