Daína Chaviano

She holds a degree in English Language and Literature from the Universidad de La Habana. Since 1991, she has lived in Miami.

She is a novelist who especially cultivates the science fiction genre, although she also works in traditional topics and journalism, with forays into poetry. Within fiction, her works address mythology, parapsychology, magic and other fantastic themes. She is considered one of the three most important writers of fantastic literature and science fiction in the Spanish language.

While she lived in Cuba, she published several books of fantasy and science fiction, becoming the most sold and admired author within both genres in her country's history. After emigrating in 1991, she has stood out for a series of novels where she addresses more contemporary and historical subjects with strong mythological and fantastic elements.

Her prose moves with equal fluency in the fantastic and traditional modes. In both, she has obtained awards and international recognition.

Her themes encompass mythology, eroticism, ancient history, sociology, parapsychology, politics and magic, developed with a style full of poetic and sensual images at the same time.

Daína Chaviano earned a degree in English Language and Literature from Universidad de La Habana. In 1979 she received the David Prize for Science Fiction for Los mundos que amo, a collection of short stories written between the ages of 15 and 19. This book was adapted for radio and had a photonovel version that sold 200,000 copies in less than two months, which initiated mass recognition of science fiction in Cuba.

In 1982, the author founded the first science fiction literary workshop in Latin America. Later, she worked as a screenwriter for television programs for children, young people and adults. She was a television and radio presenter. She also participated as an actress in some independent films.

While she lived in Cuba she published several works of science fiction and fantasy. Among her titles are Amoroso planeta (short stories, 1983), Historias de hadas para adultos (novellas, 1986), Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre (novel, 1988), La anunciación (film script, 1990) and El abrevadero de los dinosaurios (short stories, 1990).

Outside of Cuba she has published Confesiones eróticas y otros hechizos (poems), País de dragones (short stories) and the novel cycle "La Habana oculta," composed of El hombre, la hembra y el hambre, Casa de juegos, Gata encerrada and La isla de los amores infinitos, published in 25 languages and which has become the most translated Cuban novel of all time.

Daína Chaviano has received numerous awards and international recognition: Anna Seghers Prize (Academy of Arts of Berlin, Germany, 1990) for Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre; Azorín Novel Prize (Spain, 1998) for El hombre, la hembra y el hambre; Goliardos International Fantasy Prize (Mexico, 2003); Guest of Honor at the 25th International Congress of Fantastic Art (Fort Lauderdale, USA, 2004); and Gold Medal for Best Book in Spanish Language (Florida Book Awards 2006, USA) for La isla de los amores infinitos.

Published Works in Spanish
Outside of Cuba:
2007: Historias de hadas para adultos (short novels). Minotauro, Spain.
2006: La isla de los amores infinitos (novel). Editorial Grijalbo, Spain.
2005: El abrevadero de los dinosaurios (short stories). Sello Nueva Imagen, Mexico.
2004: Los mundos que amo (novel). Editorial Alfaguara, Bogotá, Colombia.
2003: Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre (novel). Editorial Océano, Mexico.
2001: País de dragones (short stories). Espasa Juvenil, Madrid, Spain.
2001: Gata encerrada (novel). Editorial Planeta, Barcelona, Spain.
1999: Casa de juegos (novel). Editorial Planeta, Barcelona, Spain.
1998: El hombre, la hembra y el hambre (novel). Editorial Planeta, Barcelona, Spain.
1994: Confesiones eróticas y otros hechizos (poetry). Editorial Betania, Madrid, Spain.

In Cuba:
1990: El abrevadero de los dinosaurios (short stories). Letras Cubanas.
1989: La anunciación (film script). Editorial Extensión Universitaria.
1988: Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre (novel). Letras Cubanas.
1986: Historias de hadas para adultos (short novels). Letras Cubanas.
1983: Amoroso planeta (short stories). Letras Cubanas.
1980: Los mundos que amo (short stories). Ediciones Unión.

Awards and Distinctions
2008: Finalist for the Prix Relay du Roman d'Évasion (France), for La isla de los amores infinitos.
2007: Gold Medal in the Best Book in Spanish Language category. Florida Book Awards (United States), for La isla de los amores infinitos.
2004: Guest of Honor at the 25th International Congress of Fantastic Art, Fort Lauderdale (United States).
2003: Goliardos International Fantasy Prize (Mexico), for Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre.
1998: Azorín Novel Prize (Spain), for El hombre, la hembra y el hambre.
1990: Anna Seghers Prize, Academy of Arts of Berlin (Germany), for Fábulas de una abuela extraterrestre.
1989: National Prize for Youth Literature "La Edad de Oro" (Cuba), for País de dragones.
1988: National Prize "13 de marzo" for Best Unpublished Film Script (Cuba), for La anunciación.
1979: National Prize for David Science Fiction Literature (Cuba), for Los mundos que amo.