This section is dedicated to in-depth conversations with writers, poets, and literary voices from around the world. It explores the creative process behind their work, the ideas that shape their narratives, and the personal journeys that inform their storytelling.
Through intimate and thoughtful interviews, Author Interviews offers readers insight into contemporary literature, new publications, and the minds behind the stories that define today’s literary landscape.
There are people who know how to make remarkable use of their time, to such an extent that they inspire admiration or even envy. They know how to divide their time, make the most of it, and thus develop their talents and take them to a very high level compared with the majority. A majority that, unfortunately, does not always develop this ability to cultivate its own capacities with notable success.
César Zappa returns to bookstores with Nahali, the second installment of the trilogy starring Álex La Calle and the continuation of Durmiendo en tu mano. Published by Plan 9, the novel delves into the author’s narrative universe through an urban thriller with a steady pace where investigation, latent violence, and the emotional fragility of a protagonist marked by his past coexist. A former soldier and professional bodyguard, Álex faces a new case that begins with a brutal death and a mysterious word — “Nahali” — that acts as the trigger for a plot of intrigue, ambiguous relationships, and diffuse threats.
Today, I have the pleasure of sharing an engaging interview I conducted with Palestinian poet, translator, and interpreter Alice S. Yousef. She was born on December 9, 1990, in Jerusalem, a beautiful and intricate city, full of pain but also deeply inspiring as one of the oldest cities in the world, with its magic reflected in multiple colors.
Alice is a poet, writer, literary and legal translator, editor, and researcher who works between Arabic and English. Her career focuses on the translation of legal and literary texts and poetry. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English Language and Literature and Translation, with distinction, from Birzeit University (2008–2011). She obtained a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom in 2014 and was a member of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa in 2016.
Exploring the Mystery of Creation: An Exclusive Interview with Zoé Valdés
In this edition, I have the immense honor of presenting an intimate conversation with Zoé Milagros Valdés, one of the most prominent voices in contemporary literature. Zoé is a multifaceted writer whose more than thirty titles include narrative, poetry, essays and screenplays, all imbued with a critical and nostalgic vision of life in Cuba.
“Life is too palpable and evident; creation is the true mystery.”
— Zoé Valdés
Today I present to you a friend, poet and above all humanist, Ron A. Kalman, born on March 6, 1959 in Haifa, Israel. His parents, Gabor J. Kalman and Suzana Kalman, emigrated there after leaving Budapest during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. At the age of 3, the family first moved to Paris, then to Boulder, Colorado, and finally, at age 7, settled in the Boston area of the United States.
His childhood was marked by constant travel across different countries, where he experienced complex anecdotes for his age. His first language was Hungarian, followed by French and then English. These itinerant experiences are reflected in his literary work, characterized by a sensitive autobiographical tone. Not all authors manage to convey personal life with such authenticity as he does; his unique style invites readers not only to read, but to analyze and reflect from deep lived experience.
"By the time you reach your thirties, few remain free from significant loss, disappointment, disillusionment, or the realization that things could have been done differently; in this sense, artistic expression has always been my lifeline."
Carolina Corvillo, born in Madrid in 1988, is a one of the most vibrant voices in the contemporary cultural scene. A writer, actress, dancer, co-creator, lyricist, vocalist, screenwriter, and playwright, Carolina has woven her life between words, stages, and music. Her creative soul is reflected in every project, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to experience her art.
In the vast ocean of literature, there are those whose words dance among the whispers of the wind and echoes of the heart. Alberto Blanco Rubio, a prolific writer and tireless dreamer, has masterfully woven stories that shine like stars in the firmament of imagination. From his beginnings as an editor at Desván to his award-winning novels and short stories, each page of his work is a magical journey into worlds where reality intertwines with fantasy.
Technology, if used appropriately, can be a tool of great positive influence in the life of every citizen. Of course, in a world saturated with technological advances, there is also a negative side: that dark world of self-destruction and distraction, driven by social networks that emerge abundantly. It is easy to get lost in them, and we can all be affected if we do not have a clear agenda for our daily work. Undoubtedly, the most vulnerable are young people, who run the risk of becoming excessively distracted.
