Writers from Guayaquil - Ecuadorian Literature

Carlos Calderón Chico

Carlos Calderón Chico (Guayaquil, June 14, 1953 – January 4, 2013) was an influential Ecuadorian historian, writer, journalist, cultural manager, and bibliophile. He pursued a degree in Literature and Spanish from the University of Guayaquil. He emerged as an acclaimed educator, teaching History and Ecuadorian Literature in various Guayaquil schools. Calderón Chico’s contributions extended beyond academia, as he became a crucial figure in Ecuador’s cultural and literary scene. He participated in the management of cultural supplements and magazines, facilitated cultural debates, and engaged with prominent writers, painters, and politicians. As a testament to his dedication, he received the First Class Cultural Merit Decoration from the National Government and was declared Journalist of the Year by the Guayaquil Association of Journalists. His career also spanned overseeing the Ecuadorian Society of Writers, coordinating for Revista Diners, and conducting important research for the Historical Archive of Guayas. Calderón Chico’s writing portfolio boasts numerous publications, interviews, and critical analyses, which have played an integral role in shaping Ecuadorian literature and cultural history.

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.”

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. Later, in 1996, the Casa de la Cultura Ecuatoriana published his poetry collection “Vuelo del pez que fuma: poemas.”

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.

Fernando Naranjo Espinoza

Fernando Naranjo Espinoza (Guayaquil, 1954) is an Ecuadorian writer, architect, watercolorist, and illustrator. He has made significant contributions to the realm of science fiction, a genre relatively unexplored in Ecuadorian literature. With his boundless imagination and captivating storytelling abilities, Naranjo Espinoza takes readers on extraordinary journeys through time, space, and alternate realities. In recognition of his talent, he received an Honorable Mention in the prestigious National Contest “José de la Cuadra” in 1979. Among his notable works is “La era del asombro” (1994), which garnered acclaim and recognition in the National Contest “Ismael Pérez Pazmiño.” Another noteworthy publication is “Cuídate de los coriolis de agosto” (2006). While primarily known for his science fiction stories, Naranjo Espinoza also ventured into the realm of the social novel with his book “Guasmo sur” (2013), which earned him the Second National Novel Prize in 2010. His most recent work, “Los custodios de la piedra” (2018), is a captivating collection of science fiction stories that delve into themes of time travel, memory, and the manipulation of reality. Since August 2017, Fernando Naranjo Espinoza has been serving as the Director of the Guayas Branch of the House of Ecuadorian Culture.

Melanie Márquez Adams

Melanie Márquez Adams (Guayaquil, May 5, 1976) is an Ecuadorian American writer, editor, and translator. Among her published books are “Mariposas negras” (2017), a collection of stories, and “Querencia” (2020), an exploration of identity and finding one’s sense of belonging in a foreign land. As an editor, Márquez Adams has curated anthologies such as “Del sur al norte: Narrativa y poesía de autores andinos” (2016), which showcases the narratives and poetry of Andean authors, and “Ellas cuentan: Antología de Crime Fiction por latinoamericanas en EEUU” (2019), highlighting the crime fiction works by Latin American women in the United States. Márquez Adams has received accolades such as the Latino Book Award for her exceptional work as an editor. Her latest work, “Imaginar países” (2021), was a finalist for the 2022 Premio Paz de Poesía (Paz Poetry Prize).

Victoria Puig de Lange

Victoria Puig de Lange (Guayaquil, December 3, 1916 – Miami, May 14, 2008) was an Ecuadorian author, composer, diplomat, and influential figure in journalism and the fashion world. Throughout her long career, she held notable positions such as Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar (Spanish edition) and worked as a Latin American syndicated columnist. Puig’s autobiography, “Sol Con Agua,” blended elements of magic realism with her personal memoirs of a life surrounded by presidents, movie stars, and international personalities. She played a significant role in promoting Latin American designers, co-founding the first Latin American fashion week and being actively involved in major fashion events in London, Milan, and Paris. As a diplomat, Puig represented Ecuador as Consul General in Miami, while also showcasing her musical talents as a songwriter and performer. Recognized for her contributions, Puig received numerous accolades and awards, including Honorary Citizen of Florida and the Woman of the Year award in Ecuador. Victoria Puig de Lange left a lasting legacy in the realms of journalism, fashion, and cultural diplomacy.

Elisa Ayala González

Elisa Ayala González (Guayaquil, 1879) is considered the pioneer of short stories in the early decades of the 20th century in Ecuador. She grew up on a hacienda in the province of Los Ríos, where her father, Arcadio Ayala, a doctor, fostered her love for literature through his extensive library. Her writings were published in various Spanish, Uruguayan, Chilean, Argentinean, and Cuban magazines and newspapers. Her first short story, “La maldición,” was published in one of the international magazines to which her father subscribed. Ayala González’s works can be found in various anthologies, such as the “Antología de narradoras ecuatorianas,” by Miguel Donoso Pareja, and the “Antología básica del cuento ecuatoriano,” by Eugenia Viteri.

Mariasol Pons

Mariasol Pons Cruz (Guayaquil, 1979) is an Ecuadorian novelist known for her captivating storytelling. Pons has authored several notable works, including “La Chica” (2013), “El libro de Olga” (2017), and “¿De quién son estas piernas?” (2021). Her debut novel, “La Chica,” delves into the world of drug trafficking, while “El libro de Olga” draws inspiration from Bram Stoker’s Dracula and explores complex characters in historical contexts. In “¿De quién son estas piernas?” Pons ventures into the realm of the future, challenging notions of identity and autonomy. Pons’ distinctive writing style and ability to engage readers have garnered recognition and acclaim in the literary community. Currently, she resides in Guayaquil and works as an editorialist for the newspapers Diario Expreso, Diario de Manabí, and La República.

Tamara Mejía Molina

Tamara Mejía Molina (Guayaquil, 1987) is an Ecuadorian poet and art critic. She is the author of several books, including “Esto soy yo, Marakaramazov,” “Historia esculpida de Manuel Velastegui,” and “Últimos días de una herida,” and has written more than 20 art criticism articles for cultural newspapers. Molina’s work as a poet has brought her international recognition, and she has been invited to participate in various poetry festivals in Ecuador and abroad. In 2022, her poetry book “Últimos días de una herida,” was awarded the Ileana Espinel Cedeño Poetry Festival Award.

Luis Delgadillo

Luis Delgadillo Avilés (Guayaquil, 1942 – September 13, 2022) was an Ecuadorian poet and journalist. He was part of a group of poets dubbed, “Generación Huracanada” [Hurricane Generation]. In 1971, he won the third national poetry prize. His poetry books include: “El rayo que ilumina” (1971), “Poemas de la marcha” (1977), and “Carta para un hijo y otros poemas” (1997). His non-fiction books include: “Leonardo Escobar Bravo, El ministro de los campesinos” (2006) and “La pepa de oro y el montubio” (2007), which focused on themes of the peasant class. He was a member of the literary section of the House of Ecuadorian Culture in Guayas.

Lily Pilataxi de Arenas

Lily Pilataxi de Arenas (Guayaquil, 1930) is an Ecuadorian author of children’s literature, poet, writer, journalist, diplomat and educator. As a feminist and advocate of women’s rights she authored “La Mujer y sus Derechos” [Women and their Rights] (1990). She has taught in Ecuador and Germany, and most recently served as rector of the Educational Unit Steiner (Unidad Educativa Steiner) in Guayaquil. Her teaching experiences in Germany (from 1963 to 1978) are chronicled in “Poema pedagógico No 2 y 3” [Pedagogical Poem Nos. 2 and 3]. Perhaps her most popular children’s story is “Doña cucaracha y la bolita de nieve” [Don︣a Cucaracha and the Snowball] (2010) which was translated into English, Geman and French. She has received numerous honors both inside and outside of Ecuador. She was awarded and designated an honorary member of The International Society of Poets, Writers, and Artists (SIPEA). As a journalist, she wrote an opinion column for El Universo newspaper for 30 years, and was also an opinion columnist for El Telégrafo. She has given lectures in the United States, Europe and Africa.

Francisco Pérez Febres-Cordero

Francisco Pérez Febres-Cordero (Guayaquil, July 18, 1934 – Ibidem, August 31, 2010) was an Ecuadorian poet and journalist whose distinguished career at El Universo newspaper lasted four decades (1958-1998). Among his many accomplishments at El Universo was the creation of the Ismael Pérez Pazmiño Poetry Contest in 1959, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious poetry awards in Ecuador. He authored several poetry books, beginning with “Polvo de estrellas” [Star Dust] in 1951. His “Obras completas” [Complete Works] was published posthumously in 2020. From 1992 to 1998 he was Vice-director and Chairman of the Board of El Universo. In 1998, the year he retired from El Universo, he and one of his sons launched a bookstore named El Librero inside the Ríocentro Ceibos Mall, which, in 2008, they sold to the Librimundi group. In 2012, a bust of him was erected on “Avenida del Periodista” (Avenue of the Journalist) in Guayaquil.