Rubén Varona

Rubén Varona is an Associate Professor of Spanish at Lycoming College, Pennsylvania, where he teaches courses in Spanish language, literature, and culture. He is a Latin Americanist whose academic and creative work explores the intersections of literature, social justice, and historical memory.

• B.S., Universidad del Cauca
• M.F.A. in Creative Writing, University of Texas at El Paso (2012)
• Ph.D. in Latin American Literature, Texas Tech University (2018)

His research focuses on how modern conceptions of justice inform the literary representation of social problems such as gender inequality, corruption, and terrorism in hybrid crime and historical novels. He analyzes both internationally renowned authors like Gabriel García Márquez and emerging voices such as Bernardo Esquinca. His work emphasizes humanizing complex socio-political conflicts without moralizing, encouraging readers to reflect beyond media stereotypes.

Varona's creative writing includes five novels and a poetry collection, all written in Spanish and some translated into English, German, and Italian. His publications span genres including crime, historical, and testimonial fiction. Notably, La secta de los asesinos (2016), co-authored with Carlos Bermeo, was a finalist for the 2012 Premio Iberoamericano Planeta-Casa de América. His most recent novel, La viuda del molino (2023), reflects on Colombia’s national formation, while his poetry collection Polvo de cordillera (2024) explores Andean identity and cultural memory.

His literary works often engage with global themes such as terrorism, identity, and resilience, and have been presented internationally in cities like Miami and Mexico. He is currently developing new collaborative projects, including a potential Caribbean-set crime novel.

• Finalist for the Premio Iberoamericano Planeta-Casa de América Award (2012)

Varona advises on literary projects and participates in cultural initiatives such as the literary magazine La Mandrágora. He has not received mention of formal grants, but his work has been supported through academic affiliation and independent publishing collaborations. He is actively involved in promoting Hispanic culture through teaching, public presentations, and international literary engagement.

He is a member of the Department of Modern Languages at Lycoming College’s College of Arts and Sciences and contributes to fostering appreciation of Hispanic lifestyles and accomplishments. His interdisciplinary approach bridges creative writing and academic scholarship, making him a distinctive voice in contemporary Latin American literary studies.