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 making it a part of my heritage. 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 which includes the bilingual culture of Paraguay.

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 of short stories based on popular characters and events that would be easy to read on the bus, on the streets, in the bathroom.

I am especially proud to share with you my latest book ¡Cerraron las puertas!: Narremas de la Tragedia de Ycua Bolaños, a tribute to the lost voices of that national tragedy of Paraguay.

My young 10 year-old daughter Giselle is a Blue Ribbon recipient of several painting contests including several Lexington City Awards, Rockbridge County Awards, and Virginia State Awards.  She is illustrating our latest project together, a book for the young at heart entitled El último día.

My latest research is a book entitled: La matriz del Cántico Cósmico: una Antropología Filosófica de Ernesto Cardenal / The matrix of Cosmic Canticle, Philosophical Anthropology of Ernesto Cardenal which is being edited in 2009. 

Please visit excerpts by clicking on "Books" and then clicking on each cover. You can also write reviews, and/or request copies at amambayeditorial@yahoo.com