Writers from Quito - Ecuadorian Literature

Juan Secaira Velástegui

Juan Secaira Velástegui (Quito, Ecuador, 1971) is a poet, essayist, and visual artist whose work delves into themes of suffering, resilience, and personal transformation. He has published several critically acclaimed poetry collections, including Construcción del vacío (2009; “Construction of the Void”) and No es dicha (2012; “It Is Not Happiness”), which won the Jorge Carrera Andrade National Poetry Prize. In recent years, Secaira has adapted his creative process in response to his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), incorporating visual art into his body of work. His 2023 collection Eclipsa los arribos (“Eclipses the Arrivals”) earned him the Paralelo Cero Poetry Prize, further cementing his legacy as one of Ecuador’s most poignant contemporary voices.

Alexis Naranjo

Alexis Naranjo Banda (Quito, 1947) is an Ecuadorian poet, university professor, art critic, and translator. He earned a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Paris VIII and has published several notable poetry collections, including Profanaciones (1988; “Profanations”) and La piel del tiempo (1998; “The Skin of Time”), which won the Jorge Carrera Andrade National Prize. His work is known for its philosophical depth and rich language, influenced by both Latin American and Ecuadorian literary traditions. Naranjo’s poetry often explores themes of existence, spirituality, and the human condition.

Gustavo Salazar Calle

Gustavo Salazar Calle (Quito, Ecuador, October 3, 1966) is an Ecuadorian bibliographer, literary researcher, and historian. A corresponding member of the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua since 2021, Salazar has dedicated over three decades to studying Ecuadorian and Ibero-American literature, with a focus on influential figures such as Benjamín Carrión and Rubén Darío. He has published 23 books, numerous scholarly articles, and has played a key role in the preservation of historical archives, including the Ecuadorian Consulate in Madrid and the Gaceta Judicial. His work continues to contribute significantly to the fields of literary and historical research in Latin America.

David Acosta Herrera

David Acosta Herrera (Quito, Ecuador, November 8, 1986) is an Ecuadorian poet, writer, and cultural activist. Founder of the collective eLeLLo (Anarquía, Arte y Ciencia), Acosta promotes artistic engagement through workshops, events, and community projects. His first poetry collection, Termineternal, published by El Ángel, explores surrealism and symbolism in a poetic journey from life to death. He won first prize in the Certamen de Invierno – Poesía libre in Córdoba, Argentina, in 2018 for his poem Aztra. His latest work, El clamor de una nuez que se parte en silencio, was published in 2023.

Pablo Guerrero Gutiérrez

Fidel Pablo Guerrero Gutiérrez (Quito, Ecuador, November 1, 1962) is a prominent Ecuadorian musical historian, researcher, and author. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Guerrero has written more than 20 books on Ecuadorian music, including the comprehensive Enciclopedia de la música ecuatoriana. He studied at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música and holds a degree in Musical Pedagogy from the Universidad Técnica de Manabí. Guerrero is the founder of the Corporación Musicológica Ecuatoriana (CONMÚSICA) and has been recognized by the Academia Nacional de Historia for his extensive contributions to preserving Ecuador’s musical heritage.

Piedad Larrea Borja

Piedad Larrea Borja (Quito, December 21, 1912 – Quito, June 2001) was an Ecuadorian writer, poet, philologist, and professor. As the first woman to join the Academia Ecuatoriana de la Lengua (Ecuadorian Academy of Language), where she served as secretary for many years, she played a significant role in Ecuadorian intellectual life. She earned a doctorate in Hispanic Philology from the University of Salamanca and later taught at the Universidad Central del Ecuador. Her literary works, which include essays, poetry, and linguistic studies, address themes of Ecuadorian identity, language, and social issues. In 1994, she was awarded the prestigious “Manuela Espejo” Prize by the Municipality of Quito, further cementing her legacy as a pioneering figure in Ecuadorian culture and education.

Irving Iván Zapater

Irving Iván Zapater (Quito, 1944) is an Ecuadorian lawyer, historian, and cultural leader. He holds a Doctorate in Jurisprudence with postgraduate studies in Economics from La Sapienza University in Rome and in History from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. A long-time professor and former Vice Dean at the Faculty of Jurisprudence at his alma mater, Zapater also served as Director of the Central Bank of Ecuador’s Center for Research and Culture (1981-1993) and led the National Council of Culture (1999-2000). He has authored several notable works on Ecuadorian history and economics, including La Vida de Cada Día and Imágenes del Ecuador en el Siglo XX, and was Director of the Revista Nacional de Cultura.

Diego Montalvo

Diego Montalvo (Quito, 1995) is an Ecuadorian writer and journalist. He is a graduate of the Universidad de Las Américas (UDLA), where he studied journalism. Montalvo gained recognition in the literary world with his anthology Suspenso en Letras (2012), and he has been an active member of the literary and cultural community, serving in roles such as a member of the Academic Section of Literature of the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana. In journalism, he has contributed to magazines like Leo and Emprendedores, and currently writes opinion pieces for La República, focusing on political and social issues.

Kevin J. Enríquez Urresta

Kevin J. Enríquez Urresta (Quito, Ecuador, 2001) is an emerging Ecuadorian poet and architecture student who has gained recognition for his introspective and emotionally resonant poetry. While originally connected to various branches of the arts, he chose to dedicate himself to poetry around five years ago, using it as a means of self-expression and exploration. His work often delves into themes of identity, emotional connection, and fleeting moments of consciousness, as showcased in his debut book Destellos de conciencia, published as part of Editorial El Ángel’s “Ópera prima” collection.

Rosario de Fátima A’Lmea Suárez

Rosario de Fátima A’Lmea Suárez (Quito, Ecuador, 1973) is an Ecuadorian academic, editor, and literary critic specializing in Spanish literature, semiotics, and curriculum design. She earned her Ph.D. in Literature from Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar in 2021 and has held teaching positions at prestigious institutions, including Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and Universidad Politécnica Salesiana. Her career spans over two decades, during which she has taught courses in linguistics, discourse analysis, and contemporary Spanish literature. As an editor, she has worked with several prominent Ecuadorian authors, and her research in literary criticism and cultural studies has been widely cited. In addition to her academic work, she has actively promoted Ecuadorian literature by organizing literary events and tributes, particularly focusing on Ecuadorian women writers.

David Sánchez Santillán

David Sánchez Santillán (Quito, 1981) is an Ecuadorian poet, lawyer, and Doctor of Jurisprudence. He has made notable contributions to Ecuadorian poetry, winning several awards, including the Gonzalo Escudero National Poetry Prize. He has published multiple poetry collections and participated in various national and international literary events. Alongside his literary career, Sánchez Santillán has a background in law, with a specialization in Environmental Law and Community Development, which complements his literary work and reflects his diverse professional interests.

Ramiro Dávila Grijalva

Ramiro Dávila Grijalva (Quito, 1945) is an Ecuadorian poet and playwright known for his literary works that explore cultural and historical themes. He is the author of El Canto de las Sirenas (1982), a notable collection of poetry, and the play Tragedia de la Prisión y Muerte de Atahualpa (1988), which dramatizes the tragic fate of the Inca ruler Atahualpa. His other works include the play Leonor Yupangui, Esther de las Indias (2018), which is inspired by indigenous legends and history, as well as other plays like El Cóndor Enamorado and La Leyenda del Tío Lobo y el Sobrino Conejo. His poetry collections also include Historia de un Jilguero and Jugar Rayuela, Mi Voz y Otros Delirios (2007). Dávila Grijalva’s contributions have been recognized and preserved in various Ecuadorian libraries and cultural institutions.

Diego Cornejo Menacho

Diego Cornejo Menacho (Quito, March 18, 1949) is a versatile Ecuadorian artist. He’s a writer, painter, and journalist. He has been a professor, columnist, and deputy director for newspapers, and he even directed regional news. Notably, he won the “Joaquín Gallegos Lara Prize” in 2008 for his novel “Miércoles y estiércoles” and received the “Gran Premio SIP-Libertad de Prensa” in 2013. He’s also been honored with the “Eduardo Kingman” Cultural Merit Decoration in 2014. Cornejo Menacho is a celebrated figure in Ecuadorian literature, with a collection of novels and journalistic works reflecting his deep connection to Ecuadorian culture.

Juan Suárez Proaño

Juan Suárez Proaño (Quito, 1993) is an Ecuadorian poet and editor. He studied Communication and Literature at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and has written several acclaimed poetry collections, including “Lluvia sobre los columpios” (2014) and “Las cosas negadas” (2021), which won a national poetry award in 2021. In addition to his writing, Proaño works as an editor for El Ángel Editor, a publishing house, and coordinates “Poesía en Paralelo Cero,” an international poetry event in Ecuador. His blend of literary talents has made him a significant figure in both the local and international literary community.

Freddy Peñafiel Larrea

Freddy Peñafiel Larrea (Quito, January 5, 1972) is an Ecuadorian poet, critic, radio host, educator, and public servant. He has published seven collections of poetry since 1992, which include compelling titles like “Del amar, de la mar” (1995), “Del asombro de las sombras” (1997), “Anzuelos” (2003), and “Presagios” (2009). His unique poetic voice earned him numerous accolades throughout his career. He received a special mention in the 1995 Hugo Mayo poetry contest, secured second place in the Jorge Carrera Andrade poetry biennial in 1996, and won first place in the “Escribir y Publicar” poetry contest in 1997. Not only do his verses grace the pages of his own collections, but they can also be found in numerous anthologies, marking him as a vital and vibrant voice in Ecuadorian poetry.