When Mariano Sánchez Soler released his debut novel, Fresh Meat, in 1987, the scene saw women involved in shaping the noir landscape. A left-leaning journalist profile tended to dominate the authorial image, closely tied to realistic storytelling and events. Over time, that dynamic broadened as more writers contributed to this genre.
Evidence of this shift is clear in the upcoming Mayo Negro edition, which centers on authors who have explored this literary territory through four voices: Mónica Rouanet, Martha Prieto, Empar Fernández, and Esther Abellán. The event also marks recognition in cinema with a Goya for Best Director awarded to Rodrigo Sorogoyen for a film that embodies dark, uncompromising tones. The edition, running from May 3 to May 6, brings together a group of artists for a multi-disciplinary celebration of noir in literature and film. The XV Mayo Negro gathering is organized by a journalist and author in collaboration with a professor and film and literary critic, under the banner Women Authors in Noir and the Sorogoyen cinematic approach.
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We need to acknowledge the aim behind this gathering, which is to gather noir writers who approach the genre in novel form for a conversation with the four authors, exploring how they write, the topics that interest them, and the present moment of noir in their work, as observed by Sánchez Soler. The scene reflects a growing presence of female voices delivering sophisticated, layered noir that maintains the genre’s core intensity. Alicia Giménez Bartlett played a pivotal role in paving the way, and today there is a noticeable increase in high-quality female authors, even if the field remains competitive and demanding.
For Sánchez Soler, the idea of including a wide range of stories into a cohesive anthology was born from a sense that some narratives are so singularly intense they deserve a place within the noir tradition. Lourdes Ortiz contributed a crime narrative that helped illustrate that publishers sometimes viewed the genre as cultured or niche, a perception that has gradually evolved over time.
Conferences and meetings
Black May 2023 opens on May 3 with a focus on real crimes as part of a cycle programmed by the University of Alicante. A reflection on recent criminal history is planned alongside an exhibition translating real events into cinematic sequences. Topics tied to the criminal past of post Franco-era Spain will be explored, and a related visual presentation will reinterpret real events through film.
On the following day, the program features four noir writers offering fresh perspectives on the genre. Some participants may be presenting their first detective fiction, while others bring a broader backlist that expands beyond the noir label.
Across the event, approximately eighty Mundos bookstores collaborate to present the works of these four authors. Rouanet delves deeper into the genre, presenting a nuanced discussion about how misdirection and moral complexity shape noir narratives.
Prieto presents The Murder of the Acting President of Leon as her most recognized work to date, while Fernández has developed the form across several titles and published a recent entry. Abellán offers a story centered on a woman who becomes a vigilante after a personal betrayal, a powerful exploration of gender-based violence within a small community.
The program confirms a May 5 meeting with Rodrigo Sorogoyen, during which the director will discuss his cinematic approach and projects. A short film will be screened, Mom, a winner at a regional film festival, and his feature God Forgives Us will be shown on May 6, featuring a prominent cast.
Beyond the novel
The organizers plan to broaden the scope beyond detective fiction, integrating comics and poetry that address current themes, including war. The broader aim is to connect genre fiction with wider cultural conversations, reflecting the times and the evolving nature of noir across media.
While there is some blurring between genres today, the noir label remains anchored in realism and the darker undercurrents of society. The field encompasses mystery, detective, and literary noir, yet the violence and social critique at its heart define the modern approach. The aim is to maintain clarity of purpose even as genres intersect and inform one another.
The organizers emphasize the importance of intentional genre-mixing, insisting that creators should know why they blend forms and how they position noir within a broader cultural context. The Mayo Negro sequence has featured many notable voices, including Juan Madrid, Lorenzo Silva, Paco Ignacio Taibo, and Santiago García Tirado, illustrating the evolution and continued vitality of noir in both literature and cinema.