Luis Alberto Bravo Piña (Milagro, 1979) is an Ecuadorian writer, widely recognized for his novels, short stories, and poetry. His poetry collections, “Antropología pop” (2010) and “Utolands” (2011), have been particularly well-received. In 2011, Piña was named as one of the “25 best-kept literary secrets of Latin America” by the Guadalajara International Book Festival. His novelistic works include “Septiembre” (2013), “Hotel Bartleby” (2013), “El jardinero de los Rolling Stones” (2016), and “Crow” (2017). Bravo’s excellence in writing was further solidified in 2022 when he received the José Donoso Pareja Narrative Award for his short novel “Asia.” This innovative work skillfully interweaves historical events with fictional narrative, recounting a journey to Guayaquil, Ecuador, undertaken by the renowned American writer and artist William Burroughs in the 1950s.
Literary Career
Piña’s literary career is characterized by a diverse range of works, encompassing novels, poetry, and short stories. His debut poetry collection, “Utolands” (2010), served as his introduction to the literary world, showcasing his ability to evoke powerful emotions through poignant verse.
His talent as a novelist emerged soon after, with works such as “Septiembre” (2013), “Hotel Bartleby” (2013), “El jardinero de los Rolling Stones” (2016), and “Crow” (2017). These novels portray a unique blend of complex characters and compelling narratives.
Bravo’s work has been widely acclaimed by both critics and fellow authors. Writer Ernesto Carrión has praised his novel “El jardinero de los Rolling Stones,” positioning it amongst the highlights of contemporary Ecuadorian literature. “Hotel Bartleby,” another novel by Bravo, has been commended by writer Leonardo Valencia, demonstrating the reach and depth of his literary talent.
In addition to his novels, Piña also delved into short story writing, as illustrated by his collections “Cuentos para hacer dormir a una niña punk” (2010) and “Las ardillas del Orden Enano” (2011). These collections allowed Piña to further expand his literary repertoire, demonstrating his versatility as a writer.
Awards and Recognitions
Throughout his career, Bravo has been the recipient of various awards and honors, attesting to his literary prowess. His poetry collection “Utolands” won the Lenguaraz Poetry Prize in 2009, establishing him as a leading voice in contemporary Latin American poetry.
In the realm of novels, Bravo’s “Septiembre” received an honorable mention in the Ángel Felicísimo Rojas National Literature Contest and also procured a grant from the Editorial Fund. His novel “El jardinero de los Rolling Stones” won the Miguel Riofrío National Literature Contest, an accolade made possible through a scholarship granted by the Mexican government.
In 2016, Bravo’s novel “Crow” was given an honorable mention in the La Linares Short Novel Contest. His remarkable contributions to Latin American literature were internationally recognized in 2011 when the Guadalajara International Book Fair described him as “one of the 25 best-kept secrets of Latin American literature.”
Partial list of awards
- 2012: Award from Editorial Fund of the Ministry of Culture of Ecuador for his novel Septiembre.
- 2014: He won a scholarship awarded by FONCA and AECID for the Artistic Residency Program for Creators from Ibero-America and Haiti in Mexico to write his then novel project El jardinero de los Rolling Stones.
- 2015: His novel El jardinero de los Rolling Stones won the Miguel Riofrío National Literature Contest.
- 2022: With his novel Asia, he won the Miguel Donoso Pareja Narrative Award, a contest sponsored by the Guayaquil International Book Fair.
Works
Novels
- Septiembre (2013)
- Hotel Bartleby (2013)
- El jardinero de los Rolling Stones (2016)
- Crow (2017)
- Asia (2022)
Poetry
- Antropología pop (Para árboles epilépticos) (2010)
- Utolands (2010)
Short stories
- Cuentos para hacer dormir a una niña punk (2010)
- Las ardillas del Orden Enano (2011)