Literature is part of everyone’s life in a different way. For some women, it has also become a profession, a field of research, and a driving force to bring projects to life. In Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), working with literature involves diverse paths, challenges, and possibilities—especially for those looking to build a career in the field.
This diversity will be showcased at the literature panel during the Female Entrepreneurship Fair (Feira de Empreendedorismo Feminino), which brings together three guests with distinct experiences in the literary universe: Dáfini Lisboa, Andressa Arce, and Adrianna Alberti. During the event, they will share a bit about their journeys and discuss the challenges of turning literature into a career.
Dáfini Lisboa: A Life Surrounded by Books
Surrounded by books since childhood, Dáfini Lisboa doesn’t know what it’s like to live without literature. Born in Campo Grande and holding a degree in Language and Literature (Letras) from the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), she has worked as a proofreader and copyeditor since 2010. However, her artistic side, which has been with her since childhood, also needed more room to grow. That led her to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Local Development at the Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB) under the Culture, Diversity, and Identity research track, where she studied women writers as agents of development in shaping the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.
Writing poetry and reading a wide variety of books, Dáfini highlights the importance of literature and helps elevate Mato Grosso do Sul’s cultural scene. Her master’s research inspired her to follow in the footsteps of women like Maria da Glória Sá Rosa. As a result, she began participating in literary associations and collectives and also studied Creative Writing, which strengthened her presence in the field. For her, literature is transformation. In her own words: “Even when we’re ‘standing still,’ we are never in the same place.”
Currently, Dáfini is a member of the Brazilian Union of Writers of Mato Grosso do Sul (UBE-MS) and participates in numerous literary events. In 2025, she also taught a workshop at the first Pantanal Book Biennial (Bienal do Pantanal) and shared advice for anyone looking to work in literature: “The network of connections that forms when you start attending book fairs and getting to know the writers from your own region—all of that can help you understand what you want to build and take that first step.”
Andressa Arce: Between Law and Literature
Andressa Arce’s journey brings together paths that, at first glance, seem worlds apart. Born in Campo Grande, the writer holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Law from UFMS and works as a Federal Public Defender. Outside of her legal career, she found a space for self-expression in literature, which took shape through her publications and original projects.
Her literary debut was the novel No dia em que não fui (“The Day I Didn’t Go”), published by Editora Patuá. Inspired by personal experiences, the book explores grief, family relationships, and identity formation through the story of two sisters. Her artistic references include Lana Del Rey, Sofia Coppola, and Sylvia Plath, as well as the classic novel The Bell Jar.
In 2025, Andressa also published Arcada, her poetry collection released by Hámor Edições, which won second place in the Poetry category at the Leia MS Award. Meanwhile, her debut novel won the Tuiuiú Literature Award in the Novel category. Through her publications and projects, the author continues to solidify her presence in Mato Grosso do Sul’s literary scene.
Adrianna Alberti: Literature, Research, and Amplifying New Voices
For Adrianna Alberti, literature goes far beyond writing. Holding degrees in Psychology and Language and Literature, as well as a Ph.D. in Language Studies from UFMS, the author has built a career that blends research, cultural production, and advocacy for regional literature. “Basically, I breathe literature. There is no Adrianna without literature,” she says.
Currently, Adrianna serves as the cultural director of UBE-MS, edits anthologies, leads creative writing workshops, and participates in projects dedicated to promoting Brazilian literature. Among them is Expressões do Fantástico (“Expressions of the Fantastic”), developed in partnership with Carolina Mancini, which aims to showcase national speculative and weird fiction. She is also part of Mulheril das Letras de Mato Grosso do Sul, an initiative dedicated to celebrating and promoting female writers across the state.
Her first publication came in 2011 with a speculative fiction short story. Since then, she has developed projects aimed at expanding spaces for women in literature. One of the biggest milestones in her career was winning first place in the Short Stories category at the 2025 Pantanal Book Biennial with her book O Coração no Couro do Tambor (“The Heart in the Drumhead”), a collection of short stories and flash fiction centered on life and experiences inside a Candomblé house.
For the entrepreneurship fair panel, she plans to share not only her passion for literature, but also the real-world challenges of turning that dedication into a professional career.
An Afternoon Dedicated to Women
Literature is just one of the areas featured in the lineup for the Female Entrepreneurship Fair, which celebrates the grand opening of the new space and café for Angí Chocolates, founded by Beatriz Branco. The entrepreneur crafts artisanal chocolates made with native fruits from the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes. Located at Rua Vitório Zeola, 180, in Campo Grande, the fair takes place this Saturday, Nov. 14, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The event also brings together women working across various other industries, creating a space to showcase their work, share experiences, and highlight initiatives driving female entrepreneurship in Mato Grosso do Sul.
For anyone interested in literature, culture, and the work being developed by women in the region, the panel with Dáfini Lisboa, Andressa Arce, and Adrianna Alberti is a great opportunity to get a closer look at their journeys and hear a bit of what happens behind the scenes for those who chose to make literature their path.