Exile Hangout: Venezuela

In January 2014, a distinguished panel of Venezuelan writers including Israel Centeno (moderator), Liliana Lara, Juan Carlos Chirinos, and Juan Carlos Méndez Guédez spoke about the challenges facing Venezuelan writers and writing.

About the Writers

Israel Centeno (Moderador)
Israel Centeno was born in 1958 in Caracas, Venezuela, and currently lives in Pittsburgh after being a Writer-in-Residence with City of Asylum/Pittsburgh. He writes both novels and short stories, and also works as an editor and professor of literature. He has published nine books in Venezuela and three in Spain.

Juan Carlos Chirinos
Juan Carlos Chirinos García was born in 1967 en Valera, Venezuela. He studied Literature in universities of Venezuela and Spain, where he resides now. He is a writer and creative writing teacher. He has published short-stories, novels, biographies and theatre. He was Finalist in the International Juan Rulfo Short Story Contest from Radio France Internationale, 2009.

Juan Carlos Méndez Guédez
Juan Carlos Méndez Guédez is a writer born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela in 1967. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Central University of Venezuela. His earned a Ph.D. in Hispanic American Literature from the University of Salamanca. He has published fifteen books including novels, volumes of short stories and essays. He resides in Spain. In April 2013 his novel Arena Negra was awarded Book of the Year by booksellers in Venezuela.

Liliana Lara.
Liliana Lara was born in 1971 in Caracas, Venezuela. Since 2002 she resides in Israel. She has published Los jardines de Salomón and she has been included in important anthologies and literary magazines.