Javier Viveros facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Javier Viveros
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| Born | 13 September 1977 Asuncion, Paraguay |
| Occupation | Narrator, poet, script writer |
| Notable works | Fencing Manual for Elephants, Inventory of ghosts, Urban, too urban, Requiem of the Chaco, Iron pages |
Javier Viveros was born on September 13, 1977, in Asuncion, Paraguay. He is a well-known Paraguayan writer. He is an active member of important groups that study the Guaraní and Spanish languages. He also used to be the Vice-president of the Paraguayan Writers Society. As of July 2025, he serves as the Minister of the Secretariat of Language Policies of Paraguay. This means he helps guide how language is used and supported in his country.
Contents
Life of a Writer
Javier Viveros studied Language and Literature at the National University of Asunción. He has explored many different types of writing. These include poetry, short stories, and books for children. He also writes scripts for plays, comic books, and movies.
Writing for Newspapers and Fast Food
Javier often writes for "Correo Semanal," which is a cultural part of the newspaper Última Hora. He has also taught at universities. Two of his books, one with traditional phrases called ñe'ẽnga and another with stories called "Underneath the radar," were given out across Paraguay with the newspaper ABC Color.
His children's books, "A bed for Mimi" and "Alonsí," were even given out with meals at Burger King. This happened thanks to a deal with the Alfaguara publishing company. He also wrote the story for "Gunpowder and dust," a comic book about the Chaco War. This comic was published weekly by the newspaper Última Hora.
Working as an Editor
Javier Viveros has also worked as an editor. He published "Punta karaja," which is a collection of Paraguayan football (soccer) stories. He also published an illustrated book called "Mrs. Jurumi" through his own publishing company.
He wrote scripts and directed a series for Servilibro publishing house. This series was called "Paraguayan Literature in Comic Strips." It turned stories by famous Paraguayan authors like Augusto Roa Bastos and Josefina Plá into comic books.
Traveling for Books
Javier has traveled to many book fairs in different countries. He has been a guest speaker or part of Paraguay's official group. He visited book fairs in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic.
Books Published Around the World
In 2012, his book of stories, "Handbook of fencing for elephants," was published in Argentina, Spain, and Paraguay. A Japanese publisher also translated some of his short poems (haikus) from his book "On a tile." His writings have been included in collections of stories in Germany, Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Spain, Scotland, and the Dominican Republic.
A Chilean publisher released a book called "For the love of the football: eleven cracks of fiction soccer." This book collected football stories from different countries. Javier's story "Football Soccer S.A." was chosen for this book. It was later translated into English and published in Scotland as "Idols and Underdogs."
Recognized as a Top Writer
The magazine Luvina, from the University of Guadalajara, chose Javier Viveros as one of the best Latin American writers under 40. The magazine said they picked writers with "bold proposals and contemporary literary structures."
From 2016 to 2018, he was the Vice-president of the Society of Writers of Paraguay.
Awards and Special Recognitions
Javier Viveros has received many awards for his writing.
- In 2009, his short story "Misterio JFK" was a finalist for the "Juan Rulfo" International Short Story Award. Almost six thousand stories were sent in for this contest!
- He received an Honorable Mention for the "Roque Gaona" Prize in 2013 for his book "Fencing Manual for Elephants."
- He won second prize in the "Roa Cinero" International Screenwriting Competition.
- The 26th International Film Festival of Paraguay gave him the Panambi Honorific Award.
- In 2018, the PEN Club of the United States gave him the "Edward and Lily Tuck Award for Paraguayan Literature" for his book "Inventory of ghosts - Tales of the Chaco War."
- His novel "De Sanctis" was a finalist in the "Concurso Regional de Nouvele EMR 2018" in Argentina.
- He won the Roque Gaona Award in 2018 for his book "Flores del yuyal."
- In 2020, he received an Honorable Mention in the Municipal Literature Prize for "Réquiem del Chaco."
- He was given the Premio República "Luque 2022."
- In 2023, he won the Asuncion City Poetry Prize "Teodoro S. Mongelós."
- He received the Augusto Roa Bastos Medal in 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Javier Viveros para niños
