21st Century Writers - Ecuadorian Literature

Carolina Andrade

Carolina Andrade (Guayaquil, 1963) is an Ecuadorian writer, university professor, and journalist known for her poignant short stories and novellas. She studied in Mexico at the literary workshops of the Sociedad General de Escritores Mexicanos (SOGEM) and later earned postgraduate degrees in Education, Humanistic Studies, and Communication. Her notable works include Detrás de sí (1994), De luto (1999), and the novel A orillas de un relato (2024), which explore themes of death, existential absurdity, and human fragility. Andrade’s works have been translated into multiple languages and featured in prestigious literary anthologies.

Martha Rodríguez Albán

Martha Rodríguez Albán (Loja, 1959) is an Ecuadorian fiction writer, literary scholar, and educator. She holds a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil and a Master’s in Cultural Studies from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar. As a fiction writer, she is known for her short story collections Nada más el futuro (1996), which won the Joaquín Gallegos Lara National Award, and Pero es después, bajo el sol (2001). In the field of literary criticism, she authored Narradores ecuatorianos de los 50: poéticas para la lectura de modernidades periféricas (2009) and Crítica literaria y sociedad en el Ecuador (1930-2000) (2022). She currently teaches at the Universidad Central del Ecuador in Quito.

Livina Santos

Livina Santos (Guayaquil, 1959) is an Ecuadorian writer and educator known for her contributions to feminist literature in Ecuador. She gained recognition with her short story collection Una noche frente al espejo (1989), which explores themes such as gender roles, societal repression, and existential issues through a feminist lens. A former member of the Advanced Literature Workshop at the Central Bank of Ecuador, she has also contributed to various literary anthologies. Alongside her literary career, Santos has taught literature and led numerous literary workshops, shaping the literary landscape of Ecuador.

Juan Bottasso Boetti

Juan Bottasso Boetti (Poveragno, Italy, September 27, 1936 – Quito, Ecuador, December 27, 2019) was an Italian missionary, anthropologist, and prolific author. As a Salesian priest, he dedicated much of his life to working with Ecuador’s indigenous Shuar people, advocating for the preservation of their culture and identity. He founded Editorial Abya Yala, which became a major platform for publishing works on indigenous cultures and environmental issues in Latin America. Bottasso also established the Institute of Applied Anthropology and was known for his extensive writings on mission studies and indigenous rights, becoming a leading figure in Ecuadorian anthropology.

David Aguirre

David Aguirre (Guayaquil, 1980) is an Ecuadorian author and clinical psychologist. He holds advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Psychoanalysis and a Master’s in Philosophy of Religion, along with a Doctorate in Psychology. His debut novel, El Dios del Árbol (2024; “The God of the Tree”), blends dark fantasy and psychological horror, reflecting his background in psychoanalysis. Aguirre’s work delves into themes of trauma, social alienation, and the grotesque, with influences from modern horror cinema. He presented the novel at the Guayaquil International Book Fair, establishing himself as a rising voice in Ecuadorian literature.

María Inés Tinajero

María Inés Tinajero, an Ecuadorian author, recently presented her debut novel Ritorno a Venezia at the Feria Internacional del Libro de Guayaquil. This novel tells the story of a woman who defies societal norms to become the first female gondolier in Venice. The book, published by Línea Primitiva Editorial, marks Tinajero’s entry into the literary world and explores themes of gender, tradition, and resilience.

Nataly Daniela Flores Jara

Nataly Daniela Flores Jara (Guayaquil) is an emerging Ecuadorian author known for her novel Nacidos del Diamante: Cristhalina (2024). Her work explores themes of interplanetary conflict, destiny, and personal tragedy, blending imaginative world-building with emotional depth. Flores Jara was featured at the 2024 Guayaquil International Book Fair, where she presented her debut novel as part of Ecuador’s emerging literary voices.

Carlos Daniel López

Carlos Daniel López (Guayaquil, Ecuador, 1995) is an emerging Ecuadorian author known for his evocative short stories and poetry. He gained initial recognition by contributing to the poetry anthology Manías de la mente (“Obsessions of the Mind”) and later solidified his reputation with the publication of Un día en la vida (2024; “A Day in the Life”), a collection of stories and poems exploring themes of love, loss, and hope. His work has been featured at the Guayaquil International Book Fair, marking him as one of Ecuador’s promising young literary voices.

Hernán Zúñiga Albán

Hernán Zúñiga Albán (Ambato, January 18, 1948) is an Ecuadorian painter, engraver, muralist, poet, and educator. Known for his distinctive “Barroco guayaco” style, Zúñiga has been an influential figure in Ecuadorian art for over six decades. He has exhibited his work internationally and played a key role in establishing important cultural institutions such as the Capilla del Grabador-Museo del Grabado. Zúñiga is also a celebrated poet, with works like Crónicas de los Esteros (“Chronicles of the Estuaries”), which won the Medardo Ángel Silva National Poetry Prize in 1982, exploring the lives of marginalized communities.

Génesis Andrea Toapanta Ramos

Génesis Andrea Toapanta Ramos, also known as Andrea Toapanta (Quito, 2001) is an Ecuadorian poet known for her evocative and introspective style. Influenced by writers like Pablo Neruda and César Vallejo, she began writing poetry in her childhood and gained national recognition with her collection Puntos Suspensivos, which consists of eight poems and won second prize at the 3rd “David Ledesma” National Poetry Contest in 2021. Her work explores themes of love, loss, and existentialism, characterized by vivid imagery and emotional depth.

Sergio Luis Aguilar

Sergio Luis Aguilar Cuenca (Machala, 1990) is an Ecuadorian poet, cultural producer, and tourism manager. Known for his evocative and metaphor-rich poetry, Aguilar has won numerous literary awards, including first place in the III National Poetry Contest David Ledesma (2020) and the I Poetry Contest “Cántale al Cusco” (2021). He has organized cultural events such as the Festival Tour Poético “Cuna de Culturas Santa Elena 2019” and has been recognized for his contributions to the arts by the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana Núcleo Provincial Santa Elena. His works have been featured in various anthologies and online platforms.

María Fernanda Portés Valencia

María Fernanda Portés Valencia, known by her pseudonym Nefer PorVa (Guayaquil, Ecuador, January 19, 1987), is an award-winning writer and cultural manager who explores ecological, erotic, romantic, and experiential poetry, as well as children’s literature. Her notable work includes En el aire hay sexo (“There Is Sex in the Air”), a collection of erotic poetry. She is the founder of the Fundación de Integración Social y Desarrollo Humano Sostenible (FISDACE) and Círculo Artístico Cultural Brújula, promoting social and cultural projects in marginalized communities. Recognized internationally as a Peace Ambassador, she has received numerous accolades for her literary work. She has also worked as a First Officer in Ecuador’s Merchant Navy and as an engineer in Transport Administration and Maritime Ports.

César Carbache Mora

César Arturo Carbache Mora (Guayaquil, July 24, 1965) is an Ecuadorian cultural promoter, professor, and poet. He holds degrees in Social Communication, Higher Education, and Digital Communication, and is a doctoral candidate in Audiovisual Communication at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Carbache has published several poetry collections, including Desde lo alto del insomnio (1993; “From the Height of Insomnia”) and Antología poética 1993-2006 (2007; “Poetic Anthology 1993-2006”). He is a professor at the Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí and founder of ULEAM Bahía Magazine, contributing significantly to the fields of education, culture, and communication in Ecuador.

Iván Rodrigo Mendizábal

Iván Rodrigo Mendizábal (La Paz, Bolivia, 1961) is a Bolivian scholar, researcher, and professor specializing in communication, semiotics, and Latin American science fiction. He moved to Ecuador in 1992, where he has since worked as a professor and researcher, earning a doctorate in Latin American Literature and a master’s degree in Cultural Studies from the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (UASB) in Quito. Mendizábal teaches at UASB, focusing on visual communication, discourse analysis, and the intersection of technology and literature. He is the author of numerous academic works, including Máquinas de pensar (“Thinking Machines”) and Imaginaciones científico-tecnológico letradas (“Literate Scientific-Technological Imaginations”), and is recognized for his pioneering research on Ecuadorian science fiction.

Antonio Correa Losada

Antonio Correa Losada (Pitalito, Colombia, 1950) is a Colombian-born poet, essayist, editor, and cultural manager residing in Ecuador. He has published numerous works of poetry, including El vuelo del cormorán (1989; “The Flight of the Cormorant”) and Desolación de la lluvia (1997; “Desolation of the Rain”), as well as essays and chronicles such as Crimen y castigo o la expiación que no cesa (2001; “Crime and Punishment or the Unending Atonement”) and Un camino abierto (2002; “An Open Path”). With a career spanning Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador, Correa Losada has been an influential figure in publishing and cultural events, earning Ecuadorian citizenship in 2008 for his contributions to the country’s literary scene.