Authors Series
Our alumni writers and poets have produced significant works across all literary genres. In recognition of all the biographers, columnists, critics, historians, journalists, novelists, playwrights, poets and sports writers in the Panther family, FIU Alumni is proud to share the Alumni Authors Series. Here, you can discover titles by FIU grads and purchase many of them online.
Thank you for supporting your fellow Panthers. Read on!
Please note that listings are subject to the discretion of the FIU Alumni staff. The inclusion of books on our Alumni Authors Series does not constitute an endorsement of the contents or values expressed in these titles. The FIU Alumni staff does not review these books; all book descriptions are provided by the authors or publishers.
In 1974, a 19-year-young kid was involved in an accident that would forever alter the course of his life and the lives of his immediate family and friends. But, partly due to his upbringing, the makeup of his character and outlook on life, he shares with us how, after better than four decades, he continues to weather the storm and has become a successful entrepreneur, admirable human being and asset to his community. 
In Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety, Yvonne Castañeda shares vibrant stories of her childhood growing up in Miami as the daughter of humble immigrants from Mexico and Cuba . . . and how she came to develop an unhealthy relationship with food.
Patricia Engel received her MFA in Creative Writing in 2007, and is now the proud author of Vida and her latest novel, It’s Not Love, It’s Just Paris.
Bonifacio Haza graduated from the College of Engineering and Computing with a BS in 1983 and is the proud author of Writings on the Sand, a recollection of his family’s life’s story during a time of great turmoil in Cuban history. Following the resignation of President Fulgencio Batista, his father acted as intermediary to help establish communication between the National Army in Santiago de Cuba and Fidel Castro’s Rebel Army, to effect a pact that would help resolve the conflict and re-establish the democratic process that was interrupted by the coup d’état. The accounts of his father’s execution, and of how the country was gradually transformed into a communist dictatorship, are punctuated with stories of profound human interest.
Barbara Levenson, who received her Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from FIU in 1978, is the celebrated author of Miami mystery novels such as, Fatal February, Justice in June, Outrageous October and Neurotic November. The series features plucky Miami lawyer Mary Magruder Katz, a half-Jewish, half-Southern Baptist criminal defense attorney who often finds herself in a highly-entertaining and fast-paced race to solve the next crime.
This is another immigrant story. It's a story of personal, professional and economic challenges; but it is also full of adventure and perseverance. Alberto left Cuba in a makeshift raft in 1995 and spent 6 months in multiple Guantanamo refugee camps. After arriving to Miami and bussing tables for two years, he joined the U.S. Marines. Four years later, he began his journey at FIU, where he made lifelong friends and attended ASB 2002. Since then, Alberto has been working on his own version of the "American dream." This includes a home, a pet and a happy family. Yet he wants more, and currently he is building a real estate start-up.
Randy Niederman wrote this book during the Great Recession in the shadow of unemployment and the death of his parents. At that time, he turned to the Yoga Sutras hoping to find a path to meaningful happiness. He continued to work on the book once he returned to work as a psychiatric social worker. Randy found himself using techniques related to the Yoga Sutras with patients in the ER that were suicidal, having panic attacks or wanting to quit drugs/alcohol. These experiences helped shape the book toward helping people who are struggling with addiction, depression and anxiety.
The shortest sentence in the English language is: "Go."
A devious plot against the governor of Abrac may place more than his legacy in danger. The communities in Abrac had thrived for decades until tensions between the police and citizens spiraled out of control in a town called Moriah during Frank Thompson's term in office. The Chamber and Senate propose an idea to resolve the rising problems that may cost the governor his most prized possession, but in turn, seal Frank Thompson's legacy in Abrac. 
Debra Pane
Avni Parekh
Cully Perlman 
JeanNicole Rivers, who received a Bachelor’s in Philosophy from FIU in 2004, is the author of Black Water Tales: The Secret Keepers. The novel follows Regina Dean, who receives a harrowing midnight phone call in which she learns that the corpse of her best friend, Lola Rusher, has been found. Now, she must return to her, godforsaken, hometown of Black Water for the funeral of the beloved girl who disappeared when they were both just sixteen years old. Determined to lay Lola to rest, Regina launches her own investigation and is thrown into a race to solve the mystery before she loses her mind or meets Lola’s same fate. Everyone knows something, but no one knows everything.
Nery Roman, who received a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management from FIU in 2001, is the proud author of The Boy Lost in the Classroom. The novel, intended to provide support for the Autism/Asperger community, is an enthralling and emotional read lending a closer look at Autism/Asperger diagnosed individuals being taught within a mainstream, “inclusion” classroom setting. Her newest title, The Inability to See the Other Side of Reality, explores how families with small children can identify a psychopath.
David Van Rooy, who received his MS and Ph.D. in Psychology from FIU in 2003 and 2005 respectively, is the proud author of Trajectory, a book outlining seven career strategies to take you from where you are to where you want to be. Rooy acknowledges that success does not happen overnight and emphasizes that while a desire to succeed is important, you need to make sure you slow down to appreciate everything around you. He presents refreshing tactics to help in achieving both current and future goals, always reminding his readers to never limit their opportunities with fear of failure. Trajectory serves as a handy guide that will invigorate you and provide the tools for a lifetime of advancement.
Joseph Semprevivo, who received a Master’s in International Real Estate from FIU in 2013, is the celebrated co-author of Madness, Miracles, Millions with his father, Larry Semprevivo. Madness, Miracles, Millions has won the 2015 Bronze Medal from the Illumination Awards. This is the inspirational story of their family as they triumph over tragedy, illness and economic hardship through positivity, hard work and finding solutions as a family. How one natural sugar free cookie turned into the largest Natural sugar free cookie factory in the world, Joseph’s Lite-Cookies. They are currently in Whole Foods, Dollar Tree, Big Lots, King’s, HyVee and other chains throughout the USA, Canada and overseas.
Karianne Silva, who received a Bachelor’s in English from FIU in 2007, is the proud author of Watcher. The novel tells the story of Coda Irin, a typical sixteen-year-old sophomore at Stanton Valley High School. However, due to her mother’s unexplained disappearance, she always feels different from the students surrounding her. With the arrival of the mysterious Jeremiah, Coda’s world is rocked by the knowledge of how unusual her family really is.
Grettel J. Singer studied philosophy and literature at FIU. At age 12, she left Cuba with her family, spending two years in Venezuela before settling in Miami.
Elizabeth Tudor graduated from FIU in 2013 with a BS in Criminal Justice and is now the proud author of 18 science fiction novels in Russian including Collision, Shadow of the Centuries and Seven Envoys.
Maria Trujillo, who received her BA in art + art history from FIU in 2009, is the proud author of Lost in the City of Flowers, an enthralling art historical fiction novel set in 1469 Florence, Italy. The book centers on Viola, a young New York artist who finds herself in the middle of an adventure she never dreamed of. Lost in the City of Flowers is not only entertaining, it’s educational; quoting the author, the book “[provides] a current perspective on Renaissance masters and their techniques, . . . operates in a strict frame work of historical material and includes a glossary of art historical terms and short biographies.”
Malcolm X, Bob Marley, and Other Essays is a collection of essays on various topics in African and African Diaspora history. These topics include Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam, Bob Marley and the Rastafari movement in the Caribbean, Kwame Nkrumah, and the Black Power uprising in Trinidad.