Are we finally breaking the status quo in Dominican literature?

After these long weeks, I’ve been pondering whether we are truly beginning to break free from the statu quo of Dominican literature – whether we are genuinely moving towards a new level.

Just days ago, I was talking with a writer friend who shared the persistent feeling that Dominican literature remains trapped in a bubble, orbiting in a limited space of possibilities. It feels like a sub-world, a consequence of a society fragmented by historical, social, cultural, and political processes deeply ingrained in the behavior and mindset of Dominicans. It’s like living inside one of those transparent inflatable balls in an amusement park, isolated from reality and the infinite options connecting us to the real world. Perhaps, this bubble simply hasn’t been punctured or deflated to see what else we might find in a new state: fresh ideas and paradigms, different perspectives, and more efficient ways of working.

Behavioral Economics studies the psychological factors (cognitive, emotional, social) influencing decision-making in individuals and institutions (AI Overview, 2025). Daniel Kahneman and Richard Thaler, two key figures in the field, dedicated much of their research to exploring the complexity of human thought and how it impacts decision-making in markets and daily life (AI Overview, 2025). A change in the statu quo often provokes resistance, an exaggerated preference in decision-making explained by the fact that risks seem more significant than potential benefits (William Samuelson and Richard Zeckhauser, 1988).

If we draw a comparison to Kahneman and Thaler’s theory, we might see a similar phenomenon in Dominican literature. The fear of making decisions due to the risks or challenges involved prevents us from seeing the potential benefits, leading us to prefer inaction. (I’ve been repetitive on this, but we continue to study the sector). The social phenomenon or the individual stuck in inaction stays there, never savoring the success that change can bring, because the process appears too difficult and painful to undertake. They prefer to turn their backs on possibility rather than confronting it and seeing themselves in that new state outside the old one. I’ve said this in other words before, but I believe for the first time, we are truly palpating this phenomenon.

Once we navigate the process involving risk, we can discover other possibilities. Or, to pose the classic question asked by renowned international business mentors, comparing it to investments and financial risks: “What if it does work?” What if there are possibilities outside of this inanimate state in which things currently reside?

But, what is the current scenario? What areas can we focus on right now to break free? There are three sub-sectors of literature that urgently need to burst this bubble:

• Publishers: The backbone of the literary business. In my analysis, they are the most urgent in needing to take risks and leap into the unknown for the good and future of their companies and clients. The comfort zone of the publishing sector is part of this statu quo; we don’t want to broaden our context and see those other options. We prefer to view the local market, or the Dominican Republic, as the furthest extent of our possibilities, which is a fallacy – an “inner thinking,” or a truth fully assimilated by the sector – although I must say not all publishing businesses follow the same pattern.
• Writers: Unfortunately, almost the entire market of fiction writers in the Dominican Republic, on average, does not consume the services offered by literary training and/or coaching companies, promotion and dissemination services, literary agency services, event organization, or even simply paying for a press release for their book launch – at least not enough to make these businesses profitable. Few writers or even literary businesses gamble on these risks, perhaps for the same reason we discussed, and due to the lack of conviction that these investments can yield results.
• Traditional Media: As spaces for dissemination somewhat satellite to the sector (not a basic part of the system), traditional media have the role of informing and raising public awareness. They are still in a phase of lagging behind, first because the sector itself is so diluted, and second due to a lack of identification with literature as an art and a crucial cultural tool, and because they don’t know the publishing industry, which still lacks national visibility. Particularly at this moment, the lack of friendly interaction and genuine relationships hinders collaborative processes.

I propose some solutions that I believe could catalyze the growth process many of us involved in Dominican literature are striving for:

• First, take sustained risks and evaluate all “out-of-the-box” ideas that gradually help us leave the bubble.
• Second, form alliances or leverage other businesses and combine strengths to grow faster.
• Third, travel to other countries to enrich our business perspective, gain new insights and experiences that offer significant learning, and then capitalize on them back home.
• Fourth, in the case of writers, regularly join writing communities to find new information and stay motivated to invest in their careers. Community holds great power for the contemporary writer, even more so in a country with such a fragile creative writing culture.

To see Dominican literature thrive, we must keep the momentum going, creating a domino effect driven by leading players. Strategic alliances among businesses are crucial allies in this effort, but the most effective strategy for results remains putting the common good before individual profit. This approach, I am confident, is the key to significantly accelerating our literature’s growth and expansion.

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By Roxanna Marte
Literary Agent, Cultural Manager, Writer.
Autores del Caribe Literary Agency.
Cultural Director of the CuentaRD Literary Project.