Ericarol Carlo: bridging Dominican literature and mindful living

Santo Domingo.- Caribbean literature has in Ericarol Carlo a voice that blends depth, clarity, and heartfelt wisdom. A Dominican writer, mindfulness coach and community builder, Carlo moves seamlessly between fiction and non‐fiction, crafting narratives that explore women’s inner journeys even as she fosters a burgeoning network of local authors. Her dual career, penning novels that pulse with emotional truth and guiding entrepreneurs, students and fellow writers toward greater presence, marks her as a pivotal figure in the island’s literary renaissance.

A writer of two worlds

Carlo’s bibliography spans three novels and at least two works of non‐fiction. In Las hijas de Enrico Russo, she weaves a multi‐generational saga of family secrets set against Italy and the Dominican Republic. Alas en el crepúsculo presents lyrical vignettes of longing and transformation, while Dos hermanas—honored with an International Latino Book Award 2024 mention—delves into sibling rivalry, loss and the power of reconciliation.

On the non‐fiction front, Más presente en 66 días offers a practical, heart‐centered guide to cultivating mindfulness in everyday life. A second non‐fiction title draws on Carlo’s expertise in digital publishing and transformational coaching, blending business strategy with self‐awareness exercises.

Readers encounter in Carlo’s fiction women who, at crossroads of personal crisis, discover deeper wells of resilience. She writes, in her own words, “to tell stories of women who, through self‐knowledge, find or strengthen their voice.” Whether overcoming trauma or embracing new roles, these protagonists mirror Carlo’s own journey: a lawyer‑turned‑mindfulness trainer and founder of the Dominican Institute of Mindfulness (INDOMIND), she champions mental health and well‑being in business, education and beyond.

Mindfulness meets the page

Carlo co‑founded INDOMIND, the country’s sole dedicated mindfulness school, where she trains corporate teams, educators and public servants. “The practice of mindfulness enables clear focus, better communication, and resilience in the face of stress,” she writes on her blog.

Her corporate workshops—underscored by certifications in transformational thinking and digital launches—emphasize that “being fully present is not a luxury but a basic human skill.” As Zinzino’s ambassador of well‑being, Carlo extends these principles to nutritional science, advocating balance in body and mind.

This fusion of inner work and creative expression animates her non‐fiction. Más presente en 66 días charts a path of simple daily practices—breathwork, mindful walking, digital detox—that readers can integrate around careers and family life. Across her blog’s essays, she addresses topics from parenting with presence to the art of sustainable creativity. In one post for Diario Libre, Carlo explored how entrepreneurs can harness contemplative habits to nurture innovation, while another column looked at literature as a “mirror for collective healing.”

A catalyst for Dominican literature

Beyond her own writing, Carlo has become a linchpin in the Dominican Republic’s author community. Through virtual masterclasses, in‑person retreats and a mentorship program she founded, dozens of emerging writers have moved from manuscript to marketplace.

“Publishing a book can be easier than you think, even with a busy life,” she encourages on her website, offering free consultations to aspiring authors. By demystifying the process, from drafting to digital launches, Carlo widens the door for voices long ignored in a market that has traditionally prioritized foreign titles.

Her leadership arrives at a crucial moment. Dominican literature, after decades in the shadow of larger Latin American markets, now makes gains in translation, awards and festival spotlight. Carlo’s advocacy, interviewing editors, organizing reading circles and forging partnerships with local presses, strengthens this momentum. “A robust literary ecosystem depends on mutual support,” she asserts, citing her work with the Dominican Writers’ Network to secure grants and residencies for local talent.

Beyond adversity: a Caribbean voice

Carlo’s achievements are particularly striking given the challenges facing Dominican letters—limited bookstores, scant publishing budgets and a culture that often underestimates homegrown art. As a woman who juggles roles of wife, mother, stepmother and grandmother, she embodies the very transformations she depicts: balancing multiple identities, confronting societal expectations, and emerging with clarity and purpose. Her life story, told through her regular columns in Diario Libre and the essays and short stories she publishes on her personal blog, underscores the power of resilience.

Her novel Dos hermanas, available in Santo Domingo’s Cuesta Libros and online, captures that spirit. Inspired by the real‑life stories of two sisters separated by migration, it honors the tenacity of women who navigate borders, geographical and psychological, to reclaim agency. The International Latino Book Award’s mention of her work in the Isabel Allende category speaks to Carlo’s ability to touch readers across the Americas.

Alas en el Crepúsculo, Carlo’s foray into supernatural fiction, transports readers to a realm where angels and demons intertwine with human frailty. The book unfolds through four standalone tales—“Sala de Espera,” “Una Advertencia,” “Los Susurradores” and “Invisibles”—each exploring themes of desire, loyalty and the duality of good and evil as characters confront uncanny forces that mirror their innermost struggles.

A guide for future voices

At its core, Carlo’s vocation is an act of service. She counsels that “each of us has a story worthy of being told,” and she backs her conviction with hands‑on support, offering publishing roadmaps, organizing critique groups and facilitating industry connections. Her blog’s short stories and essays, infused with Caribbean color and mindful insight, demonstrate how literature and self‑reflection can mirror and magnify one another.

Looking ahead, Carlo plans a series of writing‑mindfulness retreats in Jarabacoa’s mountains, where participants will blend silent mornings with writing workshops, and deep reading sessions with nature‐inspired meditation. She envisions a future where Dominican voices, forged in community and inner work, stand proudly on global shelves.

For lovers of literature, Ericarol Carlo offers more than engaging prose: she provides a template for creative living. In bridging the realms of storytelling and mindfulness, she invites readers and writers alike to explore the depths of their own narratives—one mindful page at a time.

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By Adrian R. Morales
Senior Staff Writer
Dominican Today