The Sovereign Cat
A Biographical Poetry Collection on Sisterhood, Grief, and Healing
The House of Eta is a boutique sanctuary for stories that travel off the beaten path. Through the lens of The Sovereign Cat, we explore the quiet dignity of the journey and the freedom found in a life uncontained. Whether it be a brown van or a leather bound book, we invite you to reclaim your own sovereignty.
The Eric Hoffer Award
(2027 Nominee)
Category: Poetry
Category: The First Horizon Award
Category: The Da Vinci Eye
International Latino Book Awards (2026)
ELF Latino Book to Movie: Consideration
Category: Poetry/Biography
Status: Pending
Current Submissions & Considerations
Manuscript selections and individual collections are currently under active consideration and entry registry with the following institutions:
Omni Dawn
Tusculum
Psalms 53
Wingless Dream
Passion Fruit
Lit Shark
The Greensboro Review
Frontier Poetry
The Heartland Review
The Four Pillars of a Life Redefined
A journey through sisterhood, survival, and the dictionary of Allie-nese
HOME & SURGE
From the steady streets of La Puente to the jagged sidewalks of Hollywood, we explore a sisterhood forged in survival. This is the dictionary of 'Allie-nese'—a private language spoken in the quiet safety of a dusty brown van
ADRIFT & KIN
A roadmap for anyone who has ever carried the weight of family trauma. Spanning the frozen beauty of Alaska and the grit of the SGV, these verses capture the warrior who became a memory and the voice that finally found its home.
This book healed something in me that I didn't realize needed healing. So raw and real. The journey wasn't expected and left me wanting more. A quick read that left me motionless for hours. Deep in their world. From the simplicity's of their early years, to drug and addiction, to the ultimate betrayal and then.. the end.. I'm still not over the ending.. Who is chopping onions in here? - Reader Review - 222 Journal
The room held its breath in a hollow of air,
Past the point of the spirit, past the reach of a prayer.
I held the hand that had bled and had won,
A warrior’s work that could never be done.
She gave me one look—a sharp, silver light—
Finding her "good" in the depth of my sight.
The secrets we whispered, the trauma we blurred,
In the ache of that silence, the message was heard.
I gathered her survival, her jagged-edged pride,
To tuck like a treasure forever inside.
The Sovereign was ready to drift and to fly,
Leaving her light in this limitless sky.
-H. C. Cisneros
Light
Gallery
A glimpse into the life that inspired the lines. From the SGV to the L.P—this is the heart of the Sovereign.
About H. C. Cisneros
H. C. Cisneros is a lifelong creator and storyteller rooted in the steady streets of La Puente, California. She is an active member of The American Poetry Society and led a professional background spanning over twenty-five years in the fashion industry, she developed a refined gift for rebuilding, reimagining, and restoring—skills she now brings to her literary work.
As a contemporary narrative poet and the founder of Eta Books, Cisneros focuses on the 'unvarnished' translation of life’s most complicated bonds. Her rhythmic, 'Own Voices' testimony is deeply informed by her experiences as a young caregiver and her observations of the 'grit and grace' found within her community in Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.
A mother of three and a devoted observer of the human spirit, she writes to provide a "haven" for those navigating family trauma, sisterhood, and the journey toward healing. The Sovereign Cat is her debut collection, representing a powerful "test to testimony" and the rediscovery of a long-silenced voice. She lives in Southern California with her husband of nearly three decades.
Bring the Sanctuary Home
Three movements of a single journey. Choose the edition that speaks to you.
Hardcover
Ebook
Paperback
Hand-signed First Editions.
Thank you for your patience while we personalize your sanctuary.
Audiobook
© 2026 by H. C. Cisneros. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. The Sovereign Cat and all associated works are properties of Eta Books publishing. For general inquiries, contact hello@etabook.com.