Del Rio—Robin Alvarez heard the thrilling news that one of her novels would be published in September 2023, and then discovered another novel she wrote was being fast tracked for publication in next May.

Alvarez earned a master’s degree in English with a focus on creative writing from Sul Ross State University. While in Dr. Laura Payne’s graduate creative writing courses, she wrote two papers that she eventually wove into When Oceans Rise, a Filipino little mermaid retelling written for young adult audiences. The publisher fast tracked the book to coincide with the 2023 spring release of Disney’s live action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” While the novel includes elements of the original story, it introduces Filipino mythological creatures while the main character, Malaya, timeshifts into a new existence.

Author Robin Alvarez revisits a page from her handwritten first novel, which was not published, yet proved to be a valuable learning experience. SRSU photo

Meanwhile, Alvarez had already successfully pitched Paramour, her first novel accepted for publication (but the second she’d authored) and the first book in her series Of Ballads and Banshees for young adults. It will be published next September and is currently ranked #3 for 2023 Debuts on Goodreads.com. The author penned it in 20 days and spins a fantastical tale about Sadie, a supernatural being in Celtic folklore known as a Banshee who foretells death. The story contains a Romeo and Juliet undertone of families at war and forbidden love. Alvarez swings between her Filipino and Irish heritages in the two novels, exploring cultures both rich with folklore.

Visit robinalvarez.com to learn more about her writing career and check out her BookTok videos @robiiehood.

In addition to being an author, she serves as the Sul Ross State University Writing Center coordinator and teaches undergraduate English courses. She and her family make their home in Del Rio, her husband’s hometown. On one of their visits to the Alpine campus, her son put coins at the foot of the Sul Ross statue and wished for “more money.” As they left, only a few yards away, the young man found $50 lying on the ground, a real-life mystical experience.