Available to book

Cuban writer & migration storyteller

Karla Montalvan

Storytelling

Creativity

Communication

Explore fresh perspectives on belonging and identity with Karla Montalván, Cuban-born writer and journalist. Karla helps audiences understand what it means to grow up between borders through her powerful storytelling and personal experience of migration. Published novelist featured in People, Cosmopolitan, mitú, and more.

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Trusted by People, Cosmopolitan, mitú

Karla Montalván, Speaker | Writer, Author, Journalist

Karla Montalvan

Miami, United States

Starting from

$2k–5k

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Book Karla

Miami, United States

Starting from

$2k–5k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

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No upfront fee

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Vetted speaker

Karla Montalvan's biography

Hispanic Heritage Month

Coach

Business Consulting

Journalist

Entrepreneur

Inclusion

Author

Travel Industry

Hispanic & Latinx

At a glance

Cuban-born writer and novelist exploring migration and identity
Specialist in creating bilingual content for diverse audiences and platforms
Journalist with work featured in People, Cosmopolitan, FIERCE, and mitú

Karla Montalván is a Cuban-born writer whose fiction and journalism explore the emotional terrain of migration, identity, and belonging across borders and generations. A graduate of Miami Dade College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Karla has spent over a decade reporting on identity, gender, and diaspora for outlets including People, People en Español, Cosmopolitan, and mitú. Her debut novel, The Sun and All the Other Stars, examines immigration, gender, queerness, and artistic expression through a deeply human lens. Throughout her work, Karla draws on her experience of leaving Havana during Cuba's economic crisis of the 1990s, going on to live in Ecuador for three years, and then settling in Miami, all by the age of ten. She explores what it means to grow up between borders and the emotional landscape of "unbelonging". Karla's work also challenges the media industry's tendency to flatten Latino identity into a monolith, offering creators and editors practical strategies for telling intersectional stories that honor the real diversity of race, class, and region. Book Karla Montalván to bring an authentic, grounded voice on migration, storytelling, and diverse representation to your stage.

Karla's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Finding Belonging In The Diaspora

What does it mean to grow up between borders? In this session, Karla Montalván explores the emotional landscape of "unbelonging"—the unique perspective gained from a life shaped by Havana, Quito, and Miami. Moving beyond basic immigration tropes, this talk delves into how we use memory and storytelling to cultivate a sense of home when the physical soil beneath our feet is constantly shifting.

A Masterclass In Diverse Representation In Media

The "Latino market" is often treated as a singular block, but the reality is a vibrant tapestry of distinct cultures, histories, and voices. Drawing from her experience writing for People, Cosmopolitan, and FIERCE, Karla Montalván breaks down the pitfalls of stereotypical storytelling. This masterclass provides actionable strategies for creators and editors to champion intersectional narratives that honor the specificities of race, class, and regional identity.

Writing For English And Spanish Media Markets

Writing for People is not the same as writing for People en Español. This talk explores the linguistic and cultural nuances required to navigate both English and Spanish-language media. Karla Montalván discusses the "art of the pivot"—how to adapt tone, cultural references, and storytelling structures to authentically resonate with bilingual audiences without losing the core of the message in translation.

The Multi-Hyphenate Writer

How do you balance the "write-it-now" urgency of digital journalism with the "write-it-right" patience of a debut novel? Karla Montalván discusses the duality of the modern writing life, offering practical insights on how to protect your creative energy. Learn how the investigative rigor of journalism can strengthen fictional world-building, and how the emotional depth of fiction can bring a fresh perspective to high-traffic digital content in an era where AI is believed to be more valuable than writers.

Why we recommend booking Karla

With a decade of editorial experience and her lifelong journey rebuilding across Havana, Quito, and Miami, Karla brings deep insight to the intersection of migration, identity, and narrative voice. She provides actionable strategies for creators and editors looking to champion intersectional narratives that truly celebrate diverse voices.

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Trusted by People, Cosmopolitan, mitú

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How do I book Karla Montalvan for my next event?

Email karla.montalvan@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience. As speaker agents, PepTalk can secure Karla Montalvan for commercial and corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity brand endorsements & partnerships, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Karla Montalvan's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. Please note, for media interviews, autographs, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Karla Montalvan directly.

What is Karla Montalvan's speaking style like?

Previous bookers say Karla Montalvan connects well with audiences and speaks with clarity, confidence, and ease.

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