La Pepita Editorial opens its doors to women’s writing in Guatemala – 2024-02-25 22:16:18

In 2022, the first efforts were carried out to give life to La Pepita Editorial, a platform aimed at the dissemination of the letters, thought and free enunciation of women in Guatemala.

The project began through the organization of Maria Odette CanivellPhD in Comparative Studies with a specialty in English and Latin American literature, who following living outside Guatemala and returning in 2020, realized a little female literary publication in the country.

“I realize that women’s literature has not been so supported or, in many cases, little privileged. We can see it in that there are only six women who have had the National Prize for Literature,” says Odette Canivell.

According to the doctor in literature, although La Pepita was conceived in 2022, it was not until July 2023 that it was carried out the first literary activations of the project.

During this time, the publisher has also used the advice and support of the writer Aida Toledo and the art curator Rocío Quiroa who have contributed to the conceptualization of workshops and awards held from La Pepita.

For the creator of this new cultural space, it is important to understand training needs in Guatemala. She assures that the lack of literary knowledge also tends to prevent women from develop in the field of letters.

“Many times we don’t know that discipline is needed when we face paper. Writing is a job that requires a lot of work.”, shares Odette Canivell.

Opening perspectives

La Pepita Editorial has promoted workshops and contests for emerging authors and other women interested in writing. In July 2023, the first poetry creation workshop together with Aída Toledo who accompanied six women to publish their first collection of poems.

In addition to the workshops, those involved in La Pepita Editorial seek to rrecognize and reward women writers that have left their mark on the history of the country. “Literary mothers”as Odette Canivell has named them.

The authors Elisa Rodríguez Chávez (left) and Ana María Rodas (right) have been awarded by the La Pepita literary initiative. (Free Press Photo: Courtesy María Odette Canivell)

Two of them have been Elisa Rodríguez Chávez and Ana María Rodas who were awarded the prizes Odette Arzú Poetry Castle y María Goubaud from Tale Castle.

María Odette Canivell says that these same authors will have new publications that will see the light through from La Pepita Editorial this year.

“The two authors have time to write. When they started publishing, in the 70s, they were advanced for their time. It was not so common to talk regarding topics like women’s liberation.”reflects the creator of La Pepita, who also suggests that, just as Rodas and Rodríguez Chávez have shown, the new editorial platform seeks promote new literary perspectives.

Publications made following the first poetry workshop managed by La Pepita Editorial. (Courtesy: María Odette Canivell)

“We want promote women’s literature without trying to antagonize. It must be noted that we are different and that we have perspectives. To have a good and healthy Guatemala it is important to see women’s point”, points out Odette Canivell.

La Pepita Editorial also draws on the recognition of other historical figures in Gutemala. In fact, its name is based on María Josefa García Granados y Zavala “La Pepita”who was a Guatemalan writer of Spanish origin who during the 18th century made a place for herself in the national intelligentsia, within a panorama dominated by men and rigid views regarding women.

Workshops and competitions

Among the activities carried out by La Pepita Editorial, the following stand out: various efforts to disseminate and train Guatemalan women in the letters.

From this account, the publisher will offer the following workshops:

• Hundred Times One Poetry. Taught by the writer Aída Toledo.
• Narrative for story and essay. Taught by the writer and comedian Angélica Quiñonez.
• Artistic appreciation. Taught by art curator Rocío Quiroa.

All three will take place on Saturday March 2 of 9 a 15:30 hours in HQ Fontabella Business Lifestyle Center (6th avenue 12-24 zone 10). Its cost is Q175.

Calls for the following contests are also open. Documents must be submitted by April 16, 2024.

• National women’s literature contest in the essay and/or story mode: free topic, with a minimum of 50 pages and a maximum of 75.
• National Women’s Poetry Competition Odette Arzú Castillo: free subject, with a minimum of 40 pages and a maximum of

Both will provide a unique prize of Q40 thousand and the delivery of a diploma. For more details regarding the calls, you can visit the La Pepita Editorial website.

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