Pablo Cartaya

Pablo Cartaya is a Visiting Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, and an internationally acclaimed author, screenwriter, and educator. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, and on Oprah’s Booklist, with novels published by Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Disney Publishing Worldwide.

• Education: B.A. in Writing, Loyola Marymount University; MFA in Writing, Vermont College of Fine Arts

Cartaya’s research interests focus on Cuban-American cultural narratives, neurodiversity in youth literature, and social justice themes within family and community contexts. His novels often blend poetry, historical legacy, and activist storytelling.

Literary achievements include a 2020 Schneider Family Book Award Honor, 2018 Pura Belpré Honor, and roles as a 2021 National Book Award judge in Young People’s Literature. He has facilitated over 150 writing workshops globally, spanning Sweden, Canada, Jamaica, and Mexico.

Notable community initiatives include founding the first Latinx-focused literary festival in Miami, co-creating the TransArt Festival, and securing grants for residency programs like The Betsy Writer’s Room.