Hello poetry lovers! I'm Erwin Arroyo, the founder of The Poetry Lighthouse; a heartfelt project that sprouted from my profound passion for poetry and my belief in the transformative power of words to connect, inspire, and create meaningful experiences—much like a lighthouse illuminating the vast expanse of literary horizons and beaconing in an ocean-full of stories and passionate writers.

I graduated with an English major from Université Paris Nanterre in France and King’s College London in England. I am currently studying a Master’s degree in English Literature and Linguistics at Université Paris Nanterre. Additionally, I work as a translator and interpreter in English, Spanish, and French. Originally from Mexico, Spanish is my native language, while English and French serve as my second and third languages, respectively. My poem “Only In Our Minds We Live In The Past” was published in the "Respublica Politics" magazine, and I recently won the BNP Paribas Award for new entrepreneurs for my project The Poetry Lighthouse—where I intend to publish more of my poems!

Within the vast realm of literature, my interests traverse a wide spectrum, encompassing both timeless classics from the Victorian era—where the masterful storytelling of Charles Dickens, the enchanting prose of Elizabeth Gaskell, the poignant narratives of Charlotte Brontë, the wit and charm of Oscar Wilde, and the haunting imagination of Mary Shelley and Emilie Brontë have captivated my heart—and the rich tapestry of modern literature, from which my favorites are Virginia Woolf, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Franz Kafka, and T.S. Eliot. When it comes to contemporary literature, I find myself drawn to vibrant narratives exploring diasporas, the experiences of minorities, the challenges of living abroad, and the enduring struggles of life itself. It is in these genres that I discovered the beautifully narrated and profoundly moving book titled "Educated" by Tara Westover, the eloquent pages of "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri, as well as the exquisite, touching, and poetic masterpiece "On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong—a brilliant poet himself.

Although I adore the lyrical works of beloved wordsmiths like Hilda Doolittle, Claude McKay, T.S. Eliot, Ocean Vuong, Sylvia Plath, and Rumi, I am always thrilled to uncover new fascinating voices—such as Yrsa Daley-Ward, Li-Young Lee, Dara Yen Elerath, Rachel McKibbens, Sarah Howe, Marilyn Nelson, and countless others—as they breathe fresh life into the poetic landscape, leaving me captivated and hungry for more! Another thing I can never quench my thirst for is musical theatre for it fills me up with emotions, excitement and imagination. Some of my favorite musicals include The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton, Les Misérables, Wicked, Newsies, and I presently have a soft spot for Matilda and Dear Evan Hansen. In my free time I love taking a notebook and a pencil with me and attempt to write different types of poems, I also like exploring museums and cities with friends, having a nice gym session or taking a stroll around my favorite parks.