Erik Manuel Soto


Erik Manuel Soto is a Mexican-American poet. In 2026 he was named poet laureate of Vallejo, California. He holds a Master of Arts from Sonoma State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Nevada at Reno.
Several literary journals have all featured his poetry, including Antiphony, Volt, the Nelligan, River and South Review, Huizache, Zaum, The Dewdrop, and Sonora Review.
What Books Press published his first poetry collection, Inside the Umber Iris, in October 2025. Prior to being selected as Vallejo's poet laureate, Soto performed at Sonoma State University, The Village Well in Culver City, Medicine for Nightmares Bookstore and Gallery, Beyond Baroque, Los Angeles Public Library, and Napa Bookmine.

Awards

  • Gronk Nicandro First Book Prize for Poetry for Inside the Umber Iris, 2025

Publications

Books

  • Inside the Umber Iris, What Books Press, 2025 ISBN 9798990014985

Poetry

  • “Promiscuity That Kills” Zaum Magazine, Vol 21
  • “What Comfort in Liquor” Zaum Magazine, Vol 22
  • 2024 “Ambulance” River & South Review Issue 13: Summer 2024
  • January 17, 2025 “Low Grade Regression” Sonora Review
  • March 23, 2025 “Séance Under a Lunar Eclipse” The Dewdrop
  • 2025 “Flung” Spectacle, Summer 2025