Cleyvis Natera

Cleyvis Natera is an Assistant Professor of English at Montclair State University and teaches creative writing at Barnard College of Columbia University. She specializes in fiction writing centered on the Dominican immigrant experience, gender, class, and borders. Natera holds an MFA from New York University and a Skidmore College undergraduate degree in literature. She leads the development of Montclair’s new bilingual M.F.A. Creative Writing Program.

Her accolades include the 2023 International Latino Book Awards Silver Medal for Neruda on the Park, a New York Times Editor’s Choice novel, and fellowships from Bread Loaf and Vermont Studio Center. Her work explores multilingualism as a creative tool, appearing in outlets like The New York Times Book Review and The Kenyon Review.

Natera’s teaching spans workshops at Tin House, Juniper Institute, and Kenyon Summer Writing Program. Her upcoming 2025 novel The Grand Paloma Resort continues her exploration of diasporic themes. She has received residencies and grants from PEN America, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and others.