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The Living Room Bookstore & Café in Marina Vallarta will host “Write Here, Write Now,” a panel featuring queer authors Rueben “Tihi” Hayslett and Vincent Traughber Meis, alongside Sara Alvarado on Wednesday, December 17, at 4 p.m. The event is free to attend and will offer an intimate discussion on the processes of creation, persistence, and literary publication. From navigating the emotional terrain of writing to finding the right publishing path and sustaining creativity alongside everyday life, these writers bring candid stories, hard-won insight, and a generous dose of humor.
The three authors bring diverse professional backgrounds and literary focuses to the conversation, with established connections to Puerto Vallarta.
Vincent Traughber Meis
Mr. Meis is an author of ten novels, frequently focusing on characters across the LGBTQ+ spectrum and reflecting diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. He is a resident of both San Leandro, California, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, establishing his direct connection to the local community.
After graduating from Tulane University, his writing career gained momentum in the 1980s, with travel articles, poems, and book reviews appearing in publications such as The Advocate and LA Weekly. His international teaching experience in Spain and Saudi Arabia informed his subsequent literary work. From 1991, he taught English at City College of San Francisco and served as Publications Coordinator for Union Action, where his work contributed to multiple California Federation of Teachers awards. He retired in 2011 to concentrate on his prolific writing career. His novels, including Tío Jorge, Down in Cuba, and Deluge, have received multiple Rainbow Awards, with The Mayor of Oak Street and First Born Sons earning Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards. His short story collection, Far from Home, was published in 2021. Mr. Meis lives with his husband.
His novel Iguana, set in Puerto Vallarta and launched at Chachacala Bar on May 4, 2025, centers on Dawson Wozniak, an American editor who relocates following the loss of his parents and the end of a long-term relationship. Dawson seeks reinvention in Mexico and begins a complex, mercurial relationship with Ivan, the building manager who is navigating his own sexual identity and cultural expectations. The narrative intensifies when the two men witness a tragic death, embroiling them in a moral and psychological dilemma that tests their nascent connection.
Rueben “Tihi” Hayslett
Reuben “ Tihi” Hayslett is a queer author, storyteller and activist. His first book, Dark Corners, was named Best Indie Fiction of 2019 by Kirkus. Hayslett uses his writing to confront themes like identity politics, racism, and homophobia, viewing writing and art as a form of protest.Tihi currently lives in Puerto Vallarta with his pet cat, Mengo.
Sara Alvarado
Ms. Alvarado is an author, speaker, teacher, and consultant focused on racial justice and real estate. Her first memoir, Dreaming In Spanish: An Unexpected Love Story in Puerto Vallarta (2023), details a personal connection to the city.
In her professional capacity, Ms. Alvarado is an advocate for social justice, challenging systems of oppression. Her published works include the Racial Justice Toolkit for Real Estate Professionals (2020), a Guide for Change Agents (2016), and an essay in I Didn’t Know There Were Latinos In Wisconsin (2014). She is the Co-Founder of Own It: Building Black Wealth in the Madison, WI area and co-owns Alvarado Real Estate Group. Ms. Alvarado has held board positions for numerous organizations, including Centro Hispano, and is a listed founder of Nuestro Mundo Community School and Badger Rock Middle School. She has been recognized in InBusiness Magazine’s 40 under 40 list (2013) and Madison Magazine’s M List (2015).
The panel is designed for aspiring writers and enthusiasts, offering practical advice and motivation within the vibrant cultural setting of Puerto Vallarta. The Living Room Bookstore & Café is located at Av. Paseo de la Marina 245-Local N, Marina Vallarta. For more information on the event, please follow the venue’s Facebook page.
Esta publicación también está disponible en: English Español
