Who?
Age 11, accepting a Chicago Young Author's award for my story "Murder on Lake Shore Drive."
Hi, there! I'm Alejandra Valera, but you can call me Alex. I was born and raised in Chicago and still live in the area. I taught myself to read when I was four and have been in love with the written word ever since. After graduating high school at 16, I attended various colleges trying to "find myself.”
Several majors later, I finally found my niche and received my degree in English and Creative Writing, with honors, from Roosevelt University. I stumbled upon film making quite by accident and love directing, producing, and art directing.
Several majors later, I finally found my niche and received my degree in English and Creative Writing, with honors, from Roosevelt University. I stumbled upon film making quite by accident and love directing, producing, and art directing.
Photo by David R Munson
My written work has appeared in Chicago Parent, Gapers Block, Ohdeedoh, Oyez Review and Apartment Therapy. I’m also a freelance editor who loves working with creative non-fiction writers, and a ghost blogger for retailers, as well as a member of the Chicago Latino Writers Initiative. I'm currently working on my first novel, and a collection of essays based on growing up the oddball in the Mexican-American neighborhood of Pilsen.
My specialties include:
My specialties include:
- literature/literary criticism
- art and film
- the humanities
- design and fashion
- 'tween/teens
- pop culture
- geek culture
- Chicano/Latinx culture
- Montessori education
Photo by Christopher Barrett
I'm co-founder of Thirty-Three 05 Productions, a film production company in Berwyn, Illinois specializing in short, narrative, and experimental films. I always enjoy helping out new filmmakers with their projects in a variety of capacities whether it be directing, producing, art direction, or costume design.
When I’m not working, I enjoy suspension training, battle ropes, boxing, ice cold vodka, clever horror films, the Chicago Cubs, hockey players in love, traveling, and listening to very loud music in my car while singing at the top of my lungs loud enough to embarrass my son. I'm currently working on my Master of Liberal Arts at Johns Hopkins University. I'm fluent in Spanish, O.K. in Italian, and a master of sarcasm. David Bowie and Prince are my religion. At the end of the day, however, I’m really just a goofy geek at heart that maintains the Ninth Doctor is the best Doctor, and Mads Mikkelsen is the best Hannibal.