Victoria Bañales
Journal X
Victoria is the founder and editor of Xinachtli Journal, better known as Journal X, which is Cabrillo College's new literary arts magazine focusing on social justice issues. To learn more about Journal X or read the magazine online, visit our website.
Writers of Color-Santa Cruz County
Victoria is a co-founder of the Writers of Color-Santa Cruz County and has been an active member since its inception. The organization supports writers of color in Santa Cruz County and creates and participates in poetry events in the area. Visit our website to learn more.
Círculo de poetas & Writers
Victoria is an active member of Círculo de poetas & Writers. The organization supports Latinx/Chicanx writers but is open to all. To learn more about the organization or register for Círculo's yearly (August) writing conference, click here.
The Hive Poetry Collective
Victoria is a past member of the Hive Poetry Collective, which creates poetry radio shows and podcasts. Shows air on Sundays at 8 PM on KSQD Santa Cruz 90.7 FM. The Hive also hosts live poetry readings at Bookshop Santa Cruz. Visit the Hive website to learn about upcoming poetry events. Scroll to the bottom of the page to access Victoria's archived radio shows, which include interviews with Latinx poets Naomi Helena Quiñonez, Matt Sedillo, Adela Najarro, and more.
Watsonville Poet Laureate
Victoria was recently selected to serve as the 2025-2027 Watsonville Poet Laureate. As a past board member of the Watsonville Public Library, Victoria proposed, created, and chaired the Watsonville Poet Laureate Committee, which led to the city's first Poet Laureate, Bob Gómez (2022-24).
Cabrillo College
As a tenured English faculty member at Cabrillo College, Victoria teaches Chicanx/Latinx literature, fiction writing, and college composition. She has taught in various learning communities, including Cabrillo's Summer Migrant Program (SMP) and the Academy for College Excellence (ACE) program, and currently teaches in the Puente Project. In 2017, she was selected for the EOPS Instructor of the Year Award. She serves on numerous college committees and task forces and is President-elect of the Faculty Senate.
Journal X
Xinachtli Journal, also known as Journal X, gives voice to a broad range of social justice issues. We accept short fiction, short memoir, poetry, short plays and screenplays, essays, art, and photography. We encourage experimental submissions and publish works in English, Spanish, or Spanglish. Submissions are due January 8 on a yearly basis. Our magazine is published online and in print format (hard copies) every summer/fall.