María Amparo Escandón is a Mexican-born American writer and film producer known for her bilingual novels exploring bicultural themes and the immigrant experience. Her debut novel, "Esperanza's Box of Saints" (published in Spanish as "Santitos"), became a "Los Angeles Times" bestseller and was adapted into an award-winning film. Her second novel, "González & Daughter Trucking Co.", further solidified her reputation for capturing the complexities of Mexican-American identity through humor and multiple narrative voices. Her works, translated into over 21 languages, examine family dynamics, cultural hybridity, and the evolution of Spanglish.
Escandón's writing blends magical realism with sharp social commentary, often focusing on women's resilience within patriarchal structures. A linguist by training, she meticulously portrays border subcultures through authentic dialogue and diverse perspectives. Beyond her literary career, she has mentored emerging writers through programs like PEN Center's Emerging Voices and founded initiatives such as the Wings for the Soul Book Club for incarcerated Latina women. Her screenwriting work, including adaptations of her own novels, has garnered international acclaim, with projects in development under her production company, The Other Truth Productions.