Wikipedia

Erik Manuel Soto

Erik Manuel Soto is a Mexican-American poet. In 2026 he was named poet laureate of Vallejo, California.[2][3] He holds a Master of Arts from Sonoma State University[4] and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Nevada at Reno.[5]

Erik Manuel Soto
OccupationPoet laureate of Vallejo, California (2026-2027)[1]
Alma materUniversity of Nevada
Genrepoetry
Literary movementsurrealism

Several literary journals have all featured his poetry, including Antiphony,[2] Volt, the Nelligan, River and South Review, Huizache, Zaum, The Dewdrop, and Sonora Review .[6][5] What Books Press published his first poetry collection, Inside the Umber Iris, in October 2025.[5] Prior to being selected as Vallejo's poet laureate, Soto performed at Sonoma State University,[4] The Village Well in Culver City,[5] Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery,[7] Beyond Baroque,[8] Los Angeles Public Library,[9] and Napa Bookmine.[10] As poet laureate Soto has performed at the No Kings Day 3 rally in Vallejo,[11] Fiestas Primavera in Benicia,[12] Voices at the Table,[13] Red Man's Hall,[14] and the Vacaville Museum.[15]

Awards

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  • Gronk Nicandro First Book Prize for Poetry for Inside the Umber Iris, 2025[6]

Publications

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Books

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  • Inside the Umber Iris, What Books Press, 2025 ISBN 9798990014985

Poetry

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  • “Promiscuity That Kills” Zaum Magazine, Vol 21[4]
  • “What Comfort in Liquor” Zaum Magazine, Vol 22[4]
  • 2024 “Ambulance” River & South Review Issue 13: Summer 2024[16]
  • January 17, 2025 “Low Grade Regression” Sonora Review[6]
  • March 23, 2025 “Séance Under a Lunar Eclipse” The Dewdrop[17]
  • 2025 “Flung” Spectacle, Summer 2025[18]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Mara, Janis (19 January 2026). "Vallejo's sixth poet laureate takes the stage". Vallejo Times Herald. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  2. 1 2 Zimmermann, Gretchen (19 January 2026). "Erik Manuel Soto named Vallejo's next poet laureate". The Vallejo Sun. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Vallejo's Poets Laureate". Vallejo Poetry Society. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Feely, Róisín. "Alumni Author Spotlight". Zaum Magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "University of Nevada, Reno Creative Writing MFA Alum, poet Erik Manuel Soto has published 'Inside the Umber Iris'". Nevada Today. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 "Low Grade Regression". Sonora Review. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Huizache 11 Reading". Calle 24. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Los Angeles Literature Events: 10/20/25 – 10/26/25". Los Angeles Literature. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Friends of Friends: A poetry reading". Los Angeles Public Library. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  10. ↑ "Author Event: Inside the Umber Iris". Napa Bookmine. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  11. ↑ Rodriguez, Sarah (28 March 2026). "Vallejo shows out in city's largest No Kings rally to date". The Reporter. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  12. ↑ Mara, Janis (14 March 2026). "Fiestas Primavera combats racism with unity in Benicia". The Reporter. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  13. ↑ "Voices at the Table' celebrates National Poetry Month with poetry, piano". Daily Republic. 22 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  14. ↑ Maginnis-Honey, Amy (5 April 2026). "On the Town: Poetry power present, and prosperous, in Solano County". Fairfield Daily Republic. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  15. ↑ "On the Town: Find peace with prose, poetry". Daily Republic. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
  16. ↑ "Ambulance". River and South Review. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "Seance Under a Lunar Eclipse". The Dewdrop. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  18. ↑ "Flung". Spectacle. Retrieved 15 January 2026.
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