Dominican author Edna Pepén launches introspective new novel at Librería Cuesta

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican literary scene celebrated a significant release last Friday, October 31st, as author Edna Pepén unveiled her newest novel, Lorem Ipsum. The book launch, held to a packed audience in the Pedro Mir Room at Librería Cuesta, underscored the growing prominence of the contemporary Dominican narrative.

The event was organized by Río de Oro Editores, the publisher and distributor representing Pepén’s work in the Dominican Republic. Emcee Maira Collazo welcomed attendees and highlighted the novel as an invitation for readers to engage in self-reflection and “reconcile with their own histories.” The launch featured a distinguished panel, including author Natividad Lara, editor and writer Rafael J. Rodríguez Pérez, and professor Fioldaliza Mateo, alongside Pepén herself.

The first intervention came from Natividad Lara, who warmly spoke about her personal friendship and Pepén’s professional growth, presenting the audience with “the different Ednas I have lived with: the professional, the friend, the writer.” Lara lauded her friend’s consistent dedication, noting that Pepén “not only writes but transforms experience into teaching.”

Rafael J. Rodríguez Pérez, President of Río de Oro Editores, followed with the reading of his review, titled Un lienzo para encontrar(nos) (A Canvas for Finding Ourselves). Rodríguez Pérez emphasized that Lorem Ipsum is not a conventional love story, but rather “an exploration of the human soul and the bonds that heal and transform.” He stressed that the true value of the work lies in its honest look at modern vulnerability, a call to authenticity in a time marked by imposture.

The review further delved into the book’s core theme: the symbology of art as a refuge. Rodríguez Pérez noted how the novel connects artistic creation with internal searching and emotional reconstruction. Another key passage highlighted the novel’s ability to address complex topics—such as depression, anxiety, grief, and the limits of friendship, “without jarring notes, with a narrative serenity that disarms.” This capacity confirms “the aesthetic maturity of an author who has managed to convert introspection into form and meaning.”

Later, Fioldaliza Mateo, an influential language and literature professor and early mentor to the author, recalled Pepén’s childhood talent and stressed the importance of parental and educational guidance. Following this, the audience viewed a video message from Keyla González Báez, director of Bienetre Editorial, the imprint under which the novel was published, congratulating the author on her fourth book and praising her mature, authentic voice.

Edna Pepén shared how her literary vocation began with a youth competition and how she balances her professional career in industrial engineering with her passion for writing. She expressed gratitude to her family and mentors, affirming that “writing has been a way of rediscovering myself and converting memory into art.” She also created significant buzz by announcing that three new works are already prepared for publication, sparking great anticipation among attendees.

Lorem Ipsum is Pepén’s fourth work, following Nada estándar: el arte de ser diferente (2021), Sora (2022), and Mirai (2023). Pepén, an engineer and recognized participant in several national literary competitions, continues to establish herself as one of the most promising voices in contemporary Dominican narrative.