Gioconda Belli Papers

The Gioconda Belli Papers consist of approximately 16 linear feet. The collection is organized into eight series: Correspondence, Writings, Activities and Events, Biographical Materials, Printed Materials, Photographs, and Audiovisual Materials.

The Correspondence series is arranged into three subseries: 1) Family Correspondence 2) General Correspondence 3) Business Correspondence. All of the subseries are arranged alphabetically or chronologically. Of note are extensive correspondence with Belli's children and husband Charles Castaldi. Other notable correspondents include Ernesto Cardenal, José Coronel Urtecho, Desmond Egan, Carlos Martínex Rivas, Harold Pinter, Margaret Randall, and Salman Rushdie. Belli's frequent correspondence with literary agents and publishing houses is seen especially with Ray-Güde Mertin, Hermann Schultz and Peter Hammer Verlag, and Editorial Txalaparta.

The Writings series is the largest series and contains eight subseries 1) Novels 2) Poetry 3) Short Writings 4) Articles 5) Interviews 6) Speeches 7) Journals 8) Writings by Others. All of these materials are arranged either alphabetically or chronologically. Of note are drafts of "El País de las Mujeres" "The Country Under my Skin" "Sofía de los Presagios" and "El Pergamino de la Seducción." The other subseries notably contain extensive poems from 1972-2017, articles published in FSLN and Nicaraguan newspapers, an interview with Rosario Murillo, and many works by others analyzing Belli's impact.

The Activities and Events series contains two subseries: 1) Political Activities 2) Events. Arranged chronologically, Belli's political activities include her involvement with the FSLN government in the 1980s and her later involvement with pro-Democracy candidates and groups from 2000-2017. The Events subseries is arranged chronologically and contains invitations, press, and ephemera from international book fairs, speaking events, and conferences.

The Printed Materials series includes three subseries: 1) Newspaper Clippings 2) Reviews and Press 3) Published Works. This series includes published articles by Belli in Nicaraguan and international newspapers, newspaper clippings and reviews about Belli and her work, and early offprints and select published works by Belli.

The Biographical Materials series is arranged chronologically and includes Belli's family history in Italy, biographical notes about her life and career, and various awards and honorary degrees received.

The Photographs series contains a variety of personal and professional photographs tracing Belli's life and career. These are arranged chronologically or by type.

The Audiovisual Materials series includes interviews, readings, and documents, published audio books, theatrical interpretations of Belli's work, and other mixed topics.