My name is M.ª Leonor Costa, creator and mentor of Poesias da Nonô (Nonô’s Poetry). I use “M.ª” because I don't identify with my first name, Maria (Mary).

I was born in Lisbon, on August 15, 1975, in Chiado, but I've lived in Mem Martins since I was three months old, a parish which, with its tranquility and proximity to Sintra and nature, inspires my writing. Between September 2010 and May 2015, I lived in Chaves, Trás-os-Montes, where I had the opportunity to get to know a region with a rich and unique culture that also influenced my view of the world.

From an early age, I was passionate about the arts and literature, and this passion has guided me throughout my life. I started writing poetry at the age of 15, in 1990, and this creative journey has never left me since. I graduated in Modern and Contemporary History from ISCTE and later took a master's degree in Documentation and Information Sciences from the Faculty of Letters of Lisbon.

In 2009, the year I finished my master's degree, I was lucky enough to take an unforgettable trip to China, visiting the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xian. The experience of exploring a culture so distant and rich in history left an indelible mark on my view of the world, broadening my creative horizon.

My literary journey began in 2014, when I created the blog Poesias da Nonô, with the aim of sharing poetry, quatrains, haikus and short stories. In 2021, I published Animais Poéticos (Poetic Animals) and Antologia Poética M.ª Leonor Costa, and in 2022, I released Poesias Mundanas (Wordly Poetry), volume I. These books reflect my search for beauty in words and emotion in writing.

In 2017, I went through a difficult and life-changing experience: I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the emotional and physical impact, this phase of my life served as a catalyst for an inner rebirth. Overcoming that battle became part of my creative process, giving me a new perspective on life and writing. I believe that poetry has the power to transform and connect.

I share my work on social media (@poesiasdanono), and regularly take part in literary events, competitions and publications in collections and anthologies, with over 53 entries to date.

As well as being left-handed, which brings a unique perspective to my creative process, my writing reflects everything I've experienced and learned. Poesias da Nonô is more than a blog; it's a space for me to connect with readers and share stories that touch the heart. Nonô is, in part, my inner child, my expression of freedom and the multiplicity of facets that define me.

I'm grateful for every person who follows my work and allows me to be part of their life through my words. Each reading is a new connection, and that's what inspires me the most to keep going.