Who the f*ck is Nico Santo?

Early Sparks

The first time I realized I wasn’t bad at writing—or that I actually liked it—was back in primary school. I was 10 years old, and the teacher was dictating an essay. Whoever spelled it without a mistake would get an A+. Only one other girl and I got it completely right, and that’s when I learned the importance of precision. From then on, I became very careful about the words I chose.

Exploring the Craft

In high school, I often helped friends with their essays. Sometimes I even had fun giving the essays a twist depending on the political orientation of the friend in question. But it wasn’t until law school that I realized how truly powerful words could be. I remember writing an essay about the importance of family, and my Anthropology professor told me it was extraordinary. That moment stuck with me—it showed me how words could touch people and even change the course of their lives.

Becoming a Published Author

Despite always having a creative streak, it wasn’t something I fully embraced. When I moved to China, I knew I wanted to document the experience in book form. I began keeping a diary with the intention of turning it into a book. But life got busy, and the project was delayed. Then, during a visit to Uruguay, I met with Penguin Random House’s local office thanks to an introduction from a friend. I pitched a book idea about my stories from China and how the country was transforming the world. The editor liked it, and we signed the contract on the spot.

It’s Tango Time!

Fast forward a year, and my first book came out: A Tango with the Dragon: A Uruguayan in the Chinese Government and an Insider’s View of China’s Rise. I came up with the title while on a flight from Hong Kong to San Francisco, trying to find a connection between my Uruguayan roots and China. The moment “Tango” came into the picture, I knew it was the perfect fit.

Echoes From the Audience

The book’s reception was overwhelmingly positive. Dozens of readers reached out via LinkedIn to share how the book had impacted them. I was blown away when some of them told me they were seriously considering a move to China after reading the book. Even now, years later, I still get messages from readers, and it never fails to make my day. It’s incredibly motivating and rewarding to know my words have touched people like that.

Continuing the Journey

Since publishing my book, I’ve explored other forms of writing. I’ve written scripts for successful podcasts and I produce China Notes, a newsletter focusing on China-Latin America power dynamics and business trends. The newsletter recently passed its 300th edition, which is a milestone I’m proud of.

My Best Book

I’m always mulling over ideas for my next book. As someone I admire once said, “My best book is always the next one”. Interested in collaborating? Reach out to me!

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