[1] It was translated into Spanish in 2014 as Lotería : la historia de unos emigrados[2] He has received an NEA Fellowship in Literature, an Iowa Arts Fellowship, and a Princess Grace Award[3] The Village Voice, Booklist, and School Library Journal named Loteria as a Best Book in 2013, and Diane Rehm from NPR described the novel as "beautifully illustrated."
Mario Alberto Zambrano was born in Houston, TX and attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Before retiring as a professional dancer, he was a member of Ballett Frankfurt and Batsheva Dance Company.
During his performing arts career, he was awarded Best Male Dancer in Ballet Tanz Magazine.
Loteria was chosen as a Best Book of 2013 by The Village Voice, Booklist, and School Library Journal.