The recipient of an American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement and named among the Frederick Douglass 200 on the anniversary of Douglass' birthday, Nancy Mercado is the editor of the Nuyorican Women Writers Anthology published in Voices e/Magazine, a Hunter College City University of New York online literary journal. She is a guest curator for the Museum of American Poetics and assistant editor for Eco-poetry.org; a web site dedicated to addressing the issue of climate crises. Mercado also created Eco-Poetry's companion FaceBook page. Over the years, she has presented her work throughout the US and abroad for such institutions and places as, the University of Nantes, France, the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States (MELUS), the Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference (AWP), The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Poetry Festival and in Havana, Cuba where she was invited to presented her work at Casa de las Americas.
A writer, editor, activist and educator, Mercado was featured on National Public Radio’s The Talk of the Nation, and the PBS NewsHour Special: America Remembers 9/11. Also featured in The Encyclopedia of Hispanic American Literature (Facts on File) and inducted into The Museum of American Poetics, she is profiled in Latino Leaders Magazine, as “one of the most celebrated members of the Puerto Rican literary movement in the Big Apple.”
Nancy Mercado’s work has been extensively anthologized in seminal literary collections such as Latina Outsiders Remaking Latina Identity (Routledge), Powwow, American Short Fiction from Then to Now, edited by Ishmael Reed (De Capo Press), Changer L’Amérique Anthologie De La Poésie Protestataire Des USA (Maison De La Poésie, France) and ALOUD Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, edited by Miguel Algarin and Bob Holman (Holt Paperbacks) among others.
She served as the Guest Editor of Phati’tude Literary Magazine’s issue; ¿What’s in a Nombre? Writing Latin@ Identity in America, and as an editor of the acclaimed underground literary and art publication: Long Shot for 11 years; also serving as the publication’s editor-in-chief for one of those years.
The author of: It Concerns the Madness (Long Shot Productions), the coloring book: Las Tres Hermanas (Casita Maria) and the editor of if the world were mind; a children’s anthology published jointly by ASPIRA, International Youth Organization, The Leaguers Inc., Newark Housing Authority and FOCUS, Mercado has also authored 7 theater plays which have all been produced.
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2008
2007
2006
2004
2000
1998
1997
1993
1991
1990
1989
1986
1980's
1980's - Present
A writer, editor, activist and educator, Mercado was featured on National Public Radio’s The Talk of the Nation, and the PBS NewsHour Special: America Remembers 9/11. Also featured in The Encyclopedia of Hispanic American Literature (Facts on File) and inducted into The Museum of American Poetics, she is profiled in Latino Leaders Magazine, as “one of the most celebrated members of the Puerto Rican literary movement in the Big Apple.”
Nancy Mercado’s work has been extensively anthologized in seminal literary collections such as Latina Outsiders Remaking Latina Identity (Routledge), Powwow, American Short Fiction from Then to Now, edited by Ishmael Reed (De Capo Press), Changer L’Amérique Anthologie De La Poésie Protestataire Des USA (Maison De La Poésie, France) and ALOUD Voices from the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, edited by Miguel Algarin and Bob Holman (Holt Paperbacks) among others.
She served as the Guest Editor of Phati’tude Literary Magazine’s issue; ¿What’s in a Nombre? Writing Latin@ Identity in America, and as an editor of the acclaimed underground literary and art publication: Long Shot for 11 years; also serving as the publication’s editor-in-chief for one of those years.
The author of: It Concerns the Madness (Long Shot Productions), the coloring book: Las Tres Hermanas (Casita Maria) and the editor of if the world were mind; a children’s anthology published jointly by ASPIRA, International Youth Organization, The Leaguers Inc., Newark Housing Authority and FOCUS, Mercado has also authored 7 theater plays which have all been produced.
2017
- Poets for Puerto Rico, Poets House, NYC
- The Beat of the Poets: Symphony Space, New York City
- Latinxs Against Everyone: Poetry & Protest, New York City
- Forever Night: The 23rd New Year's Day Spoken Word/Performance Extravaganza, Nuyorican
2016
- Latinxs in Publishing Launch Party, Solas Bar & Restaurant, New York City
- Reading with Ana Castillo at her New York book launch of Black Dove,
- Word Up Community Bookshop, New York City
- Mujeres at the Mic: The Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference (AWP),
2015
- The New York City Poetry Festival: Governors Island, New York City
- The Academy of American Poets and Friends of the High Line present: After Sunset Poetry Walk
2014
- Tribute to Pedro Pietri: The Hoboken Historical Museum, New Jersey
- Barrio Poetix Series: La Marqueta, New York City
- Goucher College, Baltimore, MD
- The Left Forum Conference: John Jay College-CUNY, New York City
- La Casa de las Americas, Havana, Cuba
2013
- Poems of Ecological Sanity: Poets House, New York City
2012
- The Howl Festival: Tompkins Sq Park, New York City
- Eco-Poetry Reading: The Brooklyn Book Fair, New York City
- Latin House Poetry Festival: Barron’s Arts Center, New Jersey
- Festival de la Palabra: New York University, New York City
2011
- Reading Tour: University of Puerto Rico and Poets Passage, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Celebrating Latina Voices: York College- CUNY, New York City
- Commemorating Sept 11th: PBS Documentary filmed at PBS Network, Washington, DC
- Celebrating the Launch of Letras e/Magazine: Hunter College-CUNY, New York City
- Celebrating Me No Habla with Acento Anthology Publication: El Museo del Barrio, New York City
2010
- A Nuyorican State of Mind: The Life & Work of Pedro Pietri, Poets House, New York City (Curator)
- See What I Mean Poetry Reading: Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center, New York City
2008
- Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Nuyorican Poets Café: The Town Hall, New York City
2007
- Reception for Piri Thomas: Henry & Kathleen Chalfont's home, New York City (Organizer)
2006
- Celebrating Bowery Women Poems Anthology Publication: Bowery Poetry Club, New York City
2004
- Yari Yari Pamberi: Black Women Writers Dissecting Globalization Conference, New York University,
2000
- Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, New Jersey
- Latina Writers Coffeehouse Series: The Brooklyn Public Library, New York City (Curator)
1998
- Celebrating Long Shot V21: The Limelight Night Club, New York City
1997
- Reading Tour in France: University of Nantes and Jazz Club, France
- Wordchestra performance: Aaron Davis Hall, New York City
1993
- Performance with Billy Bang & his Jazz Quintet, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Word Power Literary Series: The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, New Jersey (Curator)
1991
- Poetry Spots Video Project, New York City
1990
- Club 360: Toronto, Canada
1989
- Poets in the Bars Series: The Village Gate Night Club, New York City
1986
- La Raza Arts Center, San Francisco, California
1980's
- St. Mark’s Poetry Project, New York City (Several Readings)
1980's - Present
- The Nuyorican Poets Café, New York City (Numerous Readings)
