Antonio is a freelance writer and the author of more than twenty books, including novels, essays, memoirs and short story collections, His books have won numerous prizes, including the Icaro Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Critics Book Award, and have been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout Europe, the Americas and the Middle East. From 2004 to 2006, Antonio was the Executive Director of the Cervantes Institute in New York, and he has also taught as a visiting professor or writer in residence at several universities.