EP 31 - “On Writing and Life” | Cleyvis Natera | Award-Winning Author of Neruda on the Park & The Grand Paloma Resort (2025)

Cleyvis Natera is an award-winning author whose work spans fiction, essays, and cultural criticism. Her debut novel, Neruda on the Park, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice, selected by Malala Yousafzai for her book club, and won a Silver Medal for Best First Book of Fiction from the International Latino Book Awards in 2023. The book was also featured by TIME, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and more. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, TIME, and The Rumpus. She’s received fellowships from PEN America, Bread Loaf, the Vermont Studio Center, and was recently named a Fulbright Associate. She teaches creative writing at Barnard College and Montclair State University, where she’s helping launch a new bilingual MFA program. Her second novel, The Grand Paloma Resort, was just published by Ballantine Books.

Motto:
"Pursuing your passion and your purpose—that's the reason that we're alive, and we should be doing more of that."

Powerful Quotes:
1. "Your number one job when you want to be a writer is to become an excellent writer first."
2. "Tenderness is really important, and not just with other people, but with ourselves."
3. "Even if it's slow, it's going to be worth it."

Key Lessons:
• Persistence matters more than immediate success
• Build a community before seeking publication
• Focus on developing your craft
• Personal challenges can fuel creative purpose
• Define success on your own terms

Inspirational Moments:
• Overcoming her son's medical challenges
• Quitting her job to pursue writing full-time
• Selling her first book after 13 years of writing and revision
• Creating a five-year plan to transition into writing

Books:
• Neruda on the Park
• The Grand Paloma Resort

Central Themes:
• Resilience
• Community
• Self-discovery
• Pursuing passion