Interview with Carla Madeira

Abstract

Carla Madeira was born on October 18, 1964 in Belo Horizonte (MG). She began studying mathematics at UFMG, but chose to graduate in journalism and advertising at the same institution, where she would also work as a professor of advertising writing. She was a partner and creative director at the communications agency Lápis Raro, based in the capital of Minas Gerais. She released her first novel, “Tudo é Rio”, in 2014—a work born from a text written 14 years earlier, which had left her emotionally paralyzed until she returned to it with intensity. The book achieved great editorial success, being reissued in 2021 by Editora Record, ranking among the best sellers in the country and making Carla the second most read writer in Brazil that year. In 2024, “Tudo é Rio” was awarded the Best Lusophone Author Book of the Year Award, given by the Bertrand bookstore in Portugal. Her subsequent novels, “A Natureza da Mordida” (2018) and “Véspera” (2021), solidified her place as one of the most expressive voices in contemporary Brazilian literature. In this exclusive conversation with CAAP Journal, Carla reflects on her career, the creative process, and the deep dialogue she establishes with her readers.