Veladas Literarias at Maestral Bring Nativel Preciado Back for a Night of Story and Conversation
On a Friday that aligns with International Women’s Day, acclaimed writer and journalist Nativel Preciado returns to Maestral’s Veladas Literarias, hosted by the Vectalia group. She will unveil her new novel, Words for Olivia, and engage in a conversation with Carlos Arcaya, a radio journalist from Radio Alicante, part of Cadena SER. The evening promises a blend of literary immersion, intimate dialogue, and a fresh exploration of contemporary storytelling.
As the date marks a global celebration of women’s achievements, Preciado’s latest work steps into the spotlight. Words for Olivia is described as a narrative that transports readers into a richly imagined world while stirring a spectrum of emotions. The novel unfolds like a deftly staged puzzle, inviting readers to examine appearances, motives, and the personal stakes behind every character’s choice.
The book centers on Olivia Casanova, a successful author who hires a novelist whose career has stalled to craft her latest manuscript. The arrangement sets the stage for a journey that takes them from familiar urban settings to León, the author’s hometown, as they work to ground the story in a vivid sense of place. The plot thickens when a trusted friend appears unexpectedly, challenging the protagonists’ assumptions and forcing them to confront deeper truths about loyalty, ambition, and what people are willing to sacrifice for art and recognition.
As the narrative unfolds, readers discover a past that Teo del Valle, the contracted writer, barely recalls. An old connection between the two main figures resurfaces, revealing how choices made long ago continue to shape their present. The friendship and professional partnership evolve into a suspenseful examination of love and fidelity, all set against the backdrop of the writing process itself. The result is a contemporary novel that blends relationship drama with the mechanics of storytelling, creating a layered meditation on how a story is born and who it belongs to.
During the Velada, attendees will have the chance to sample a specially curated menu inspired by the book. The event offers an immersive dining experience, beginning with grilled artichokes served with shavings of cured meat from the region, followed by a seared cut of squid with pilaf rice and a black garlic mayonnaise. A mushroom and wild-harvest stew with a poached egg rounds out the savory courses. The main course features a fish medley, including hake and monkfish with a chef’s sauce, while the dessert presents Boñar-style nunucones with a chocolate sauce. A themed wine, Cesilia Blanc from Casa Sicilia in Novelda, accompanies the tasting and is christened Pico Cueto for the occasion.
Perspective and flavor intersect as the literary night unfolds, inviting guests to discover a fresh story and its setting on March eighth. The Veladas Literarias are an opportunity to immerse in character-driven fiction while savoring a thoughtfully designed culinary experience that echoes the themes of the novel.
For those interested in attending, further details and reservations are available by phone. The event invites readers to explore a new chapter in contemporary storytelling, accompanied by a menu that mirrors the book’s sensibilities and locales. The Veladas Literarias of Maestral offer a space where literature and culinary craft meet, inviting a shared moment of reflection on art, memory, and the people who shape both. This is a night to discover a compelling narrative and the ways it resonates with life beyond the page.
Attribution: Maestral Veladas Literarias