Sonia Mereles Olivera, Ph.D.  

Biography                                

I was born in Asunción, Paraguay and lived in a glass house designed by my father, an engineer. My sisters, two engineers and an accountant, are beautiful strong women. My mother is from Perú where we spent time visiting relatives. She is an excellent singer, painter, and ceramist who won a calligraphy contest and performed “La danza del fuego”.

I won my first poetry contest in elementary school, the second in high school, the third in an Inter-Universitario contest. After graduating as an Architect, I won a prized poetry honor from Asociación Amigos del Arte before departing for Spain where I studied Literature. In Europe, I won a poetry prize for my fondest book Volviendo a Omega.

I have worked and studied with Jorge Luis Borges, Miguel Delibes, Nicanor Parra and Ernesto Cardenal. My literary criticism and research work are published under my full name. I publish my creative work under “Sonia Mereles”, my maiden name. I communicate my love for words as a language and literature Professor.

        I am a poet. I aim for clarity and accessible poetry. Communication is my main goal, as I strive to reach the reader, to accompany a life journey, to help in any way, to provide solace.

I wrote Puros cuentos for my Paraguayan family. A book with short stories based on popular characters and events that would be easy to read on the bus, on the streets, in the bathroom.

My 8 year old daughter Giselle is a Blue Ribbon recipient of several painting contests including a Lexington City Award, a Rockbridge County Award, and a Virginia State Award.