Sara Alva

Wow thanks for the feature! Haven't looked back at this one in a while. <3

Aw, this is cool

very cute!

Thank you!

My novel Silent was selected as the 2014 Rainbow Award Winner in the Gay & Lesbian Young Adult Category! I don't think I ever posted much about it here-- ran a couple of ads at one point, but I sort of suck at advertising and self-promotion. In any case, on the off chance a curious person stumbles by my blog, here's the cover/blurb: 2014 Rainbow Award Winner: Best Gay & Lesbian Young Adult Novel Alex's life as a teenager in South Central LA is far from perfect, but it's his life, and he knows how to live it. He knows what role to play and what things to keep to himself. He's got it all under control, until one lousy pair of shoes kicks him out of his world and lands him in a foster care group home. Surrounded by strangers and trapped in a life where he could never belong, Alex turns to the only person lower on the social ladder than he is: a "special" mute boy. In Sebastian, Alex finds a safe place to store his secrets--those that sent him to foster care, and the deeper one that sets him apart from the other teenagers he knows. But Sebastian has secrets of his own, and when tragedy rips the two boys apart, Alex will stop at nothing to find the answers--even if it means dragging them both through a past full of wounds best left buried. It might just be worth it, for the slim chance at love. *** I'm running a giveaway on my blog to celebrate. Enter to win a paperback (+other goodies) or an ebook of Silent. Ends today. http://saraalva.com/?p=1052

Great authentic and fresh voice. I was very happy to stumble upon this story today, and hope to read more in the future.

After many false starts, I can finally say that the Social Skills audiobook is now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. My first audiobook! \o/ Awesome Cover Art by Dani Alexander A few samples: Opening credits Retail sample from Chapter 1 My narrator (Andrew Eiden) did an amazing job, and really went above and beyond to make sure I was satisfied with every line of his reading. He’s an actor and an experienced narrator, and luckily for me he took an interest in my title. I hope the audiobook listeners enjoy his narration as much as I did! (especially the Connor/Jared scenes…those were so good IMO. ) Andrew Eiden So, yeah, that's what I spent my summer doing--listening to/helping edit the audiobook. Apologies for not writing any new stuff... I've come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be prolific (at least at this stage of my life). I'm an author but I'm also a full time teacher and a dancer and a violinist and sometimes I'm even a wife. But I love to come back here and poke around whenever I get a spare moment.

Social Skills is now available as an audiobook. I think my narrator (actor Andrew Eiden) did a really amazing job. Now on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. My first audiobook! \o/ I'll also be doing a paperback/tote bag/gift giveaway on my blog (www.SaraAlva.com) shortly if anyone's interested.

Thanks! I sometimes forget about this little short.

I think that's the short. The full-length just premiered at a film festival, hasn't even opened in Brazil yet.

You saw the full movie?? Where?? (I ask not at all desperately ). Or do you mean the short?

Apparently I feel like being their promoter (so much easier to promote someone who is not me! ) Synopsis from their website: ​Leonardo is a blind teenager feeling overprotected by all of those around him. Struggling towards a more independent life, he has to overcome the vulnerability orbiting his condition. At home, his mother won't let him do things by himself, or even be alone. At school, his best friend, Giovana, leaves no room for him to stand up for himself before all the bullying. Besides, he's never been kissed and is pretty confident that no one would consider dating the blind kid. Seeing no way out, Leonardo considers going on an exchange program, hoping he could start fresh. Things take an unexpected turn when Gabriel, a new student in town, arrives at school, becoming friends with him and Giovana. Leonardo gravitates towards Gabriel, excited to be friends with someone who acts differently from everyone else. Meanwhile, Giovana has to balance her infatuation with the new kid and the jealousy she feels for sharing her old pal. Glimpsing a possible way to independence in this unfamiliar and yet comforting new friendship, Leonardo changes the way he looks at himself and experiences the blossoming of new and intense feelings towards Gabriel. http://www.thewayhelooks.com/#!about/c10fk

I'll admit it's not the best trailer ever. I just have a better feel for the movie, as I've read the synopsis and seen the short. And I really think it's gonna be good! (fingers crossed).

This movie is based on a short that I absolutely love-- sweet with a touch of angst and a happy ending. The full-length version just won an award for best feature film at a Berlin film festival. Can't wait till it makes it to the U.S.! (well, I'm really impatient, so if they release it with Spanish subtitles first I'll probably go for that ). “The Way He Looks” tells the story of a blind teenager searching for independence and coming to terms with his feelings for his best friend and his new neighbor. (turn on English subtitles if you don't speak Portuguese)

This Irish anti-bullying PSA popped up on Upworthy recently. It's a few years old, but obviously still relevant. http://www.upworthy.com/the-simple-beautiful-gesture-that-can-turn-a-crowd-to-love-instead-of-hate?c=ufb1

I had to let go of the double spacing when I decided to publish. Smashwords' meatgrinder (formats in epub, mobi, pdf, etc.) does not like double spacing, and I'm pretty sure Kindle direct doesn't either. So if you're publishing on your own or going w/ a publisher, you'll need those spaces out of there. All the ebook formats tend to do automatic full justification, so the extra spaces can cause problems (or at least, that's what they say. I haven't tempted fate). But as Mark said, it's easy to take 'em out. I did it with my first novel (find and replace) and it wasn't too painful.

New story up in the ebooks section, available as a free download. *** Simon has found himself in an open relationship for the summer—though not by choice. Instead of wallowing, he’s decided to make the most of a family vacation to Costa Rica by hooking up with the first hot guy available. Trouble is, he has no clue how to go about doing that. Luckily, he runs into someone with a little more experience. But when the moments of lust turn into something more, Simon isn’t so sure he’ll be able to return to his old relationship. And there’s no way to hold onto this new one, either, as thousands of miles will separate them in only a few short weeks. Either way, he’ll have to learn to let go. This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love Has No Boundaries" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story. I got Cia's prompt.

Story link: http://www.gayauthors.org/forums/files/file/52-pura-vida/ Available in epub, mobi, and pdf

Simon has found himself in an open relationship for the summer—though not by choice. Instead of wallowing, he’s decided to make the most of a family vacation to Costa Rica by hooking up with the first hot guy available. Trouble is, he has no clue how to go about doing that.

Funny anecdote...there was recently an outcry in the m/m community because a well known blogger posted an article about how mad she was that some m/m books contained straight sex. She wanted a disclaimer advertising that sex involving female and male parts coming together would be in the book People can get pretty stuck in their boxes, can't they? Once you have a warning up that there is sexual content of any kind, that oughta be good enough (to keep the kiddos away). After that, people should just have to deal with what they get. And who knows, they may discover something *gasp* new that they actually like!

Aww, you guys! Thanks!!

Thought it was cute.

http://io9.com/ian-mckellan-is-about-to-marry-patrick-stewart-456378497

:-D 3 postings for this awesome song! HIp hip hooray!

Good lord that cat thing is annoying And, I can't do music. Generally I'm in silence, but that does make me sleepy.