Paola Vanessa
Writer | Reader | Graphic Designer | Mess
If you haven’t guessed, my name is Pao, and I am a fan of many things, particularly music, informing my writing through obsessively-curated playlists and band-inspired daydreams. After a near run-in with a law school application, in 2023, I got an MFA in Creative Writing from CalArts instead. I figured I could do a lot more good in the world granting Latinx characters all of our rockstar dreams then I could in any law office.
Now I’m based back in Miami, where I work as a bookseller & graphic designer by day, and work on my (several) writing projects whenever I can. When I’m not doing any of that, I’m most likely re-reading Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt, cuddling up to my Australian Shepherd bb Milo, buying concert tickets or planning trips without consulting my calendar (or bank account).
Rivers May Run
aka my Everest.
My biggest project that owns my entire heart and soul is Rivers May Run, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Romance.
I am aware Rockstar Romance its making it’s way into the mainstream, but this is what I’ve dedicated the last four years of my life to (including my entire masters), so I’m calling it Rock ‘n’ Roll Romance.
(Working) Summary
The Rivers thought they were close to their big break, but they’ve suddenly lost their lead singer to Greener Pastures. That is, the UK based record label Greener Pastures that offered an enticing solo deal excluding the four instrumentalist brothers.
Still reeling, Graham, Griffin, Sam, and Miles are struggling to find their sound again. It was much easier when they were a garage band with no stakes, but now they are in Los Angeles with dreamers on every corner and no clear idea of what they want the band to be. This leads to arguments, potentially violent encounters involving flying drumsticks, and ear-splitting rehearsals that lead to brain-melting gigs.
In a last ditch effort to get back in the saddle, the Rivers perform at the Melrose Trading Post, which descends into a cacophony of madness only ended when a clearly infuriated woman with wild curls and tinkling bangles marches in to (literally) pull the plug.
May Cruz never wanted to be in a band. She certainly never wanted to front a band. While music has always been in her cards, she’s stuck on what to do next or where to go, filling her time as a writer for her best friend’s music magazine. That’s what has her at Melrose on a Sunday morning with a pounding migraine unable to take another second listening to someone completely butcher Led Zeppelin.
What follows is a wayward journey of friendship, love, musical connections—all leading to a last-minute festival opening that forces May to confront whether or not she’s ready to take center stage with The Rivers behind her.
For fans of Jessica James, A Star is Born, and Daisy Jones & The Six, RIVERS MAY RUN is about following the trajectory of your heart, even when it leads you through the water. It’s always best to let the river run.
Other stuff
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A quarterly reading zine with book reviews, edits, and all the other happenings in my brain packaged up into a pretty print magazine. Basically, a version of this website you can hold in your hands and display on your coffee table if you’re that impressed with my genius.
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I love music maybe a little slightly more than I love reading and writing, but I am (sadly) not a musician. I am therefore stuck just writing about it. So check out my eventual descent into madness over my favorite songs/records/artists of moment!
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I run three of them over at Steamy Lit! Trope Bookclub, Debí Leer Más Libros, and Steamy Lit Bookclub! We meet every month in-store and online to talk about romance books. And Steamy Lit also has a Queer Bookclub led by a fellow bookseller. You can stay connected with Steamy Lit Bookclubs here.
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I LOVEEE a good audiobook. Truly, the only reason I’ve read as much as I have this year is because of audiobooks and my long commute to work. And since I have a hard time concentrating, it’s so helpful to pop in an audiobook while I work or even read along.
If you’re not already signed up to Libro.FM, go do it now (and break up with A-word while you’re at it)! They’re truly the best, and are one of the things keeping us from a Bezos monopoly, since buying through Libro supports an indie bookstore of your choice!
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My brain is cramped with so many ideas, I’ve got 5-7 things in the works at any given time. As a fun little overview, here’s the docs that have been making rotation lately:
A boxer trilogy (Dark??? Romance)
2nd Chance Chef Romance
The Parent Trap meets You’ve Got Mail (classic rom-com)
Cars meets Twisters Racer Romance (you’re just going to have to trust me on this one)
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen meets Weekend at Bernies (horror comedy? maybe?)
Spaces (also second chance/marriage at stake)
I could be working on any of this at any time.