richard - Ecuadorian Literature

Raquel Rodas Morales

Raquel Rodas Morales (Paute, Azuay, June 1940-Quito, November 1, 2018) was an Ecuadorian writer, historian, and feminist. She dedicated her life to teaching, studying philosophy, and conducting research from a feminist perspective on the contributions of influential women in the history of Ecuador, such as Tránsito Amaguaña, Dolores Cacuango, and María Luisa Gómez de la Torre. Raquel Rodas authored numerous books dedicated to women’s history and the feminist movement. Her extensive research and writings have significantly contributed to the understanding of women’s experiences, the impact of patriarchy, and the struggles faced by women throughout history. The Metropolitan Council of Quito awarded her the Mention of Honor for Relevant Services to the City.

Jorge Coronel Pincay

Jorge Coronel Pincay (Guayaquil, April 23, 1920 – February 19, 1992) was an Ecuadorian lawyer, university professor, and noted poet renowned for his ability to convey profound emotions through short and impactful verses. He was honored with the title of “Romancero Guayaquileño” by the Municipality of Guayaquil. His notable published works include “Junquillo” (1935), “Romances a sol y lágrimas” (1940), “Dos Recitales” (1952), “Promesa de don Francisco” (1972), “Más allá de las palabras” (1977), and “Artefactos” (1979). His poems evoke intense feelings, showcasing his ability to capture complex emotions with brevity and evocativeness. The law firm he founded in 1952, today named Pincay Morla & Cia, is one of the oldest in Guayaquil and is still run by his descendants.

Carolina Portaluppi

Carolina Portaluppi Castro (Guayaquil, 1963) is an Ecuadorian poet, economist, and educator. Her literary journey began with the publication of her first poetry collection, “Excluidos los signos,” in 1999, which delves into a range of human emotions and experiences. In 2009, she unveiled her second book, “Dice que no sabe,” which draws inspiration from the renowned Argentine poet Alejandra Pizarnik and showcases Portaluppi Castro’s introspective writing style. Carolina Portaluppi Castro holds the position of Coordinator of the Master’s Degree Program in Public Administration at Casa Grande University where she is also a professor of Public Policies. Additionally, she serves as a Professor of Public Policies for Disaster Risk Reduction at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar. Her poems have been published in various anthologies, including, “Indignados tus hijos del yugo,” “La voz del Eros,” and “Poetas de la Mitad del Mundo.”

Gonzalo Espinel Cedeño

Gonzalo Espinel Cedeño (Guayaquil, September 1, 1937 – Unknown) is an esteemed Ecuadorian poet known for his mastery of the sonnet form. Raised in a literary environment alongside his sister, Ileana Espinel Cedeño, he was influenced by the creative circle of poets from the Club 7. Despite early hardships, including the loss of his mother, Gonzalo developed a love for poetry and published several significant collections, including Estatura de la yerba (1968), Arenas al Viento (1968), Láminas del agua (1978), and Vertiente honda (1983). His works, celebrated for their lyricism, introspection, and emotional depth, earned him numerous accolades, including the First Prize in the Ismael Pérez Pazmiño Contest in 1968.

León Hi-Fong

León Hi-Fong (February 20, 1941 – Unknown) was an Ecuadorian writer and poet born in Guayaquil. In 1967, he co-founded a cultural group called CIMA along with linguist Carlos Rojas González, painters Juan Villafuerte and José Carreño, and narrators Alvarado, Salas, and Agustín Vulgarín. This group hosted a weekly hour-long radio program featuring Eduardo Salas Rodas and Hipólito Alvarado. León Hi-Fong also established the Buhardilla theatre group and co-founded the magazine “El pez que fuma” (The Smoking Fish) with poet Agustín Vulgarín. In 1975, he published a book of poems titled “El funeral de los pájaros” (The Funeral of the Birds) through the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana. During the same year, he was reported to be living in the United States. In 1986, he published “Maleficio,” a collection of short stories. Later, in 1996, he published his poetry collection “Vuelo del pez que fuma: poemas.”

Eulalia Barrera B.

Eulalia Barrera B., born Eulalia Beatriz Barrera Barrera (Quito, 1918 – Unknown) was an Ecuadorian writer and journalist who, along with her sister Inés, made a significant contribution to Ecuadorian literature. The Barrera sisters not only penned numerous “tradiciones” and short stories but also compiled important anthologies showcasing the works of other Ecuadorian writers. Notable among these are “Tradiciones y leyendas del Ecuador” (El Comercio, 1947) and “Los mejores cuentos ecuatorianos” (El Comercio, 1948). Eulalia Barrera’s distinctive approach to the “tradiciones” genre, integrating a gender analysis, set her work apart. Her stories, particularly “Flor de amor” and “La Capilla del Consuelo,” scrutinize the subordinate roles of women in society, shedding light on themes of oppression, loyalty, and solitude. Many of her works remain uncollected.

Alejandro Ribadeneira

Alejandro Ribadeneira Tobar (Santiago, Chile, 1973) is an author, journalist, and editor born to an Ecuadorian father and a Chilean mother and has dual nationality. Since 2000, he has been part of Grupo El Comercio in Ecuador, where he has served as a macro editor, tasked with planning and editing journalistic content in areas such as Culture, Entertainment, Sports, Environment, History, among others, for both digital and print media. Educated at the Central University of Ecuador with a degree in Social Communication, Ribadeneira has penned a poetry book, several volumes of short stories, and novels, including “La frutilla mecánica,” “La máscara del padre,” “Calendario sin abril,” and “Inti-Force: Orígenes.” For 25 years, he has been a dedicated commentator and writer on the subject of soccer. He lives in Quito, Ecuador.

Francisco Delgado

Francisco Delgado Santos (Cuenca, June 9, 1950) is an Ecuadorian writer, poet, and editor. Delgado Santos has made a significant contribution to Ecuadorian literature for children and young people with his extensive collection of over 50 published titles. With a deep passion for reading and writing, Delgado Santos believes in the transformative power of books, especially in shaping the imaginations and intellectual development of young readers. His works span across various genres and have garnered recognition and prestigious awards. Beyond his literary achievements, Delgado Santos has played a pivotal role in establishing the National Library System of Ecuador, expanding access to books and fostering a culture of reading throughout the country.

Ikah Gabriela Loayza

Ikah Gabriela Loayza (Quito, Ecuador, 1988) is an Ecuadorian writer and scriptwriter, known for her contributions to various forms of media. She holds degrees in Journalism and a Master’s in Fiction Scriptwriting. Loayza has collaborated with several national production companies as a scriptwriter, writer, and translator for projects spanning fiction, documentaries, and advertising. Her teaching experience includes courses in creative writing and scriptwriting at various institutions. She also co-wrote the web series “Kronos: guardianes del tiempo” and contributes to the YouTube channel “La Fábrica del Ocio,” where she offers literary advice. A well-rounded creative, Loayza has spent time studying at the University of Wisconsin-Richland and the Pontifical University of Salamanca. Her latest book, “El beso de la sirena vampiro,” showcases her talent in the young adult fantasy genre and was published in 2019 by Eskeletra Editorial.

Joe Kane

Joseph A. Kane (1953) is an acclaimed American journalist and author whose work has significantly contributed to environmental literature. Known for his immersive and empathetic storytelling, Kane focuses on the struggles of indigenous populations in the face of ecological destruction. His debut non fiction book, “Running the Amazon” (1989), recounts the harrowing journey of an expedition that covered the entire length of the Amazon River. His second non fiction book, “Savages” (1995), is a poignant exploration of the Huaorani Indians’ battle against the harmful practices of international oil companies in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Kane’s masterful blend of adventure, reportage, and intimate narrative offers readers a profound insight into the stark realities of environmental degradation and the urgent need for conservation. His works, celebrated for their compassionate portrayal of threatened ecosystems and the people within them, underscore the vital conversation around global environmental issues and indigenous rights.

Edward Whymper

Edward Whymper (London, England, April 27, 1840 – Chamonix, France, September 16, 1911) was an English mountaineer, explorer, author, and illustrator. Whymper is most famous for his exploration of the Alps and for being the first man to climb the Matterhorn in 1865. In 1880, he ventured on an ambitious expedition to Ecuador with a specific interest in studying the effects of altitude sickness and reduced pressure on the human body. Guided by the experienced Italian mountaineer Jean-Antoine Carrel, Whymper ascended several of Ecuador’s volcanoes, including the Chimborazo and Cotopaxi, making him the first to do so. Beyond the mountaineering feats, his exploration of Ecuador’s mountains resulted in “Travels Amongst the Great Andes of the Equator” (1891), a significant publication that offered deep insights into high-altitude physiology, the diverse biodiversity, and the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes.

Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin (Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, February 12, 1809 — Downe, Kent, England, April 19, 1882) was a renowned English naturalist and biologist who is best known for his significant contributions to the science of evolution. His most famous work, “On the Origin of Species” (1859), drastically shifted scientific thought and proposed the idea of natural selection. Darwin’s time spent in the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador during his voyage on the HMS Beagle was instrumental in shaping his theories. Here, he meticulously observed and documented a variety of species, including the islands’ famous finches, which varied greatly in characteristics such as beak shape and size from island to island. The diversity and adaptability of these species in response to their unique environments led Darwin to conceptualize the principles of natural selection and evolution. His work, much of which was deeply rooted in the data gathered in the Galápagos, revolutionized our understanding of the natural world and has had an enduring impact on numerous fields of study, from biology to anthropology.

Darlene P. Campos

Darlene P. Campos is an American author born in Houston, Texas to an Ecuadorian family. Her published young adult novels include “Behind Mount Rushmore” (2017), “Summer Camp is Cancelled” (2018), and “Heaven Isn’t Me” (2019). She has garnered numerous accolades for her writing, such as the Sylvan N. Karchmer Fiction Award at the University of Houston in 2013 for “The Bullet” and the Dastaan Fiction Award in 2017 for “Mason Jars.” Darlene holds a BA in English-Creative Writing with a minor in Medicine and Society Studies from the University of Houston, and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Zoraida Córdova

Zoraida Córdova (Guayaquil, 1987) is an Ecuadorian-American author of fantasy novels for children and young adults, as well as romance novels. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, she immigrated to the United States at a young age, embracing English as her second language. Growing up in Hollis, Queens, Córdova’s passion for writing was ignited by the works of authors like Amelia Atwater Rhodes. She dedicated herself to refining her skills, attending writing camps and conferences throughout her college years. Her notable achievements include the Brooklyn Brujas series, an exploration of identity, family, and magic. The series, which won her an International Latino Book Award for its first installment, stands as a testament to her storytelling prowess. In addition to her acclaimed series, Córdova has made significant contributions to the Star Wars canon universe, including her novel “Star Wars: Convergence (The High Republic).” Furthermore, she displays her versatility by writing romance novels under the pen name Zoey Castile, notably the popular Happy Endings series.