We recently had the chance to connect with Celeste Gomez and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Celeste, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Every day I show up, building my dream as an Independent Publisher with La Poeta Publications, as well as an artist surrounding my writing career. My days are filled with contracts and calendars, inventory checks and email threads, budget sheets and marketing plans. I move between creative flow and operational focus. With my team, we’re able to effectively grow my business daily and get my books into stores! La Poeta Publications is built not only from inspiration, but from systems, strategy, and the quiet discipline of showing up for my own company. When it comes to my writing, I do my best to write 5-10 pages daily, especially when I have a project deadline. Not many people know this, but I’m part of two businesses up to date: Owner/Founder of La Poeta Publications and Co-Founder/Co-Host with Hermosa y Libros Book Festival!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
LA-based Latina Poet and Author, Celeste Alyssa Gomez, is a ground-breaking performer who rose from the world of self-publishing. She’s also the owner and founder of her company, La Poeta Publications. She completed her first tour in 2025 called Los Recuerdos – a tour highlighting the poetry within Celeste’s first book, BESOS. BESOS is available in both English and Spanish and has been featured in various articles/podcasts like HipLatina, Harness Magazine, Latina Leadership, and more. It’s in various bookstores within the U.S. and internationally, including big retailers like Barnes & Noble. Her other work includes the CHISMOSA Zine, CHIILLONA Zine, and she’s a co-editor as well as a co-founder for the Hermosa y Libros Book Festival.
Celeste signed with Alegría Publishing in July 2025 to produce DIOSA. Alegría Publishing is one of the most notable publishers that focuses on publishing Latine/x stories and supporting new emerging voices. Alegría is a community that connects, inspires, and highlights the beauty, the lineage, the thousands of years of positive contributions to this planet by artists & leaders of color.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I became the person I am today, I was someone timid. I didn’t like taking up space or expressing myself in whatever room I filled. My shyness was my insecurity, which made me a people-pleaser in most cases. It wasn’t until the end of college that I realized I wanted to make a change emotionally if I wanted to reach my goals. I started feeling more confident, and I walked away from people who made me feel small and surrounded myself with good energy.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, I think this is a normal feeling to experience. As a writer and business owner, I almost gave up on La Poeta Publications because I was unsure on how to keep everything afloat. This is where I realized in 2024 I needed to build my team and have help, so I hired my Virtual Assistant and now in 2025 I have an intern, so together we have been able to elevate my business goals! I’m someone who hates to ask for help and I didn’t realize that it would jeopardize my business, so as scary as it felt I let others in to start helping me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I would say my goal/project of start a skin care business. I soft-launched the name this year, but I realize that I need more time to prepare the products and vision before launching it into full bloom. I’m willing to work on Patti Skin as long as it takes because this business is very important to me!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I think I am, but there’s still more I want to accomplish!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lapoetapublications.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestealyssagomez/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/lapoetapublications/
https://www.instagram.com/hermosaylibrosbookfestival/
Image Credits
Photographer: Richard Gonzales
