Sul Ross Alumna Robin Alvarez, The ‘Eternal Student’ to be a Published Author

By Brooke Manuel, Skyline Editor

DEL RIO - Since graduating from Sul Ross State University in May 2022 with her master’s degree in English, Robin Alvarez has scored publication offers for her two novels "When Oceans Rise" and "Paramour", which is the first installment of a trilogy.

As the SRSU Writing Center Coordinator, an adjunct English professor at SRSU, a mother to two, a rising BookTok influencer and an author, Alvarez keeps herself busy.

Alvarez’ two novels that are up for publication pay homage to her Filipino and Irish heritages.

While working on her master’s degree at Sul Ross, Alvarez wrote "When Oceans Rise," which is being rush released and will be published in May 2023.

Alvarez originally wrote "When Oceans Rise" as a short story for an assignment in a creative writing course with Dr. Laura Payne, Sul Ross professor and now dean of Literature, Arts and Social Sciences and graduate studies.

Alvarez wrote the short story version of "When Oceans Rise" during a fall semester, and the following summer she wrote the novel version, while raising two children under the age of four. During her interview with the Skyline, Alvarez described herself as 'the eternal student,' hence why she wrote a novel during her summer break from school.

When asked about the challenges that she faced when juggling school, two young children and writing a novel, Alvarez said that time was one of the biggest challenges. Alvarez’s husband’s support played a big role in her ability to write because during the summer, he watched their two children so she could devote more time to her writing.

When "Oceans Rise" weaves mythological Filipino creatures, time travel, inspiration from the folklore of "The Little Mermaid", and a toxic relationship together to create an absorbing adventure.

"I want you to think more of the darker little mermaid/Hans Christian Andersen version, where things are not quite so happy, cause we’re definitely going for darker fairytale here,” said Alvarez.

While the story is a retelling of the little mermaid in the sense that it incorporates some similar plot points as the classic fairytale, it doesn’t have an actual Mermaid.

"Paramour," which will be published September 2023, is a paranormal romance that incorporates Alvarez’ love of Celtic folklore. The story follows a supernatural being that foretells death.

This main character’s counterpart is part of a family that hunts the supernatural. Their story is passionate and genuine. Alvarez has written a forbidden love story. One that has obviously caught the eye of publishers.

Alvarez wrote "Paramour" many years ago, before she ever attended Sul Ross, but she was unable to secure a book deal. Alvarez named the main character Sadie after her friend Mercedez. Many years passed and Alvarez never revisited "Paramour" until after her friend Mercedez was diagnosed with cancer.

Alvarez wanted to get "Paramour" published for her dear friend Mercedez.

“Okay..I’m going to get this book published anywhere, anywhere at all. I’m not going to be picky. I just wanted it to be real for her,” said Alvarez, “And she happened to be visiting me, five hours away from where she lived, when I got the email saying ‘Hey, let’s have a Zoom call. Let’s have a meeting about this book’.”

Sadly, Mercedez passed away over the summer, but her name will live on in "Paramour."

“She’s never going to get to see the physical book, but she did get to know that it has a deal…that her name will live on,” said Alvarez.

"Paramour" is the first novel in a three-book series that will be published by Creative James Media.