“The thoughtful exploration of mental health, self-preservation, and developing interpersonal skills shows Camila’s anxiety while making clear her inner resilience. […] Compelling, relatable, and skillfully crafted.”
—Kirkus Reviews

My debut young adult fiction novel, CAMILA NÚÑEZ’S YEAR OF DISASTERS, was published by Page Street Publishing. It’s a queer contemporary romance about a teen who is forced to confront her fears about the future when a birthday tarot reading ominously predicts events that challenge her relationships and innermost worries.

Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Amazon

Also available as an ebook or audiobook narrated by Yenni Ann

Praise for CAMILA:

“Eschewing stereotypical depictions of religion, prejudice, and their effects on one’s identity, Pérez utilizes compassionate and empathetic prose to explore sexuality, the Cuban diaspora, anxiety, and self-esteem as Camila grows and matures over the course of a year in this introspective debut.” – Publishers Weekly 

“This layered, emotionally charged debut tackles mental health, family relationships, and queer and Cuban American identity. Camila will capture your heart from page one, and her anxieties about the future are portrayed with empathy and compassion. ” —Booklist

“Pérez’s writing invites continued reading, and they deftly weave in the warmth and complexities of Cuban-American culture, living in diaspora, and queer acceptance. There’s a lot that readers will find both enjoyable and valuable […]”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The novel’s depiction of what toxic relationships can look like provides valuable insight to readers, especially when paired with descriptions of healthy relationships.” – School Library Journal

“I was charmed right away by the narrative voice of fifteen-year-old Camila, who’s introspective and totally real about the ups and downs of life as an anxious human in a messy world. I loved spending time with Camila and her Cuban American family over the course of one well-crafted and transformative year.” – Lithub

“Making their debut into the young adults genre, local author Miriam Zoila Pérez masterfully crafts a coming-of-age tale fit for these difficult times. Camila Núñez’s Year of Disasters is exactly the kind of story teenagers, especially queer teens of color, need in these uncertain and frightening times. I wish I had access to YA books that treat topics like anxiety, body image, polyamory, and the overall difficulties of being a queer teen in such a caring and empathetic way when I was that age. Even reading as an adult, there are countless lessons to take away from Camila’s story: reminders to be patient with those you love, the importance of relying on community in challenging times, and learning to love and accept yourself for all that you are.” – Serena Zets, Washington City Paper

Events:

March 16th, 4pm: Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill w/Meredith Adamo

March 18th, 7pm: Politics and Prose in Washington, DC w/Lupita Aquino

April 13th, 6pm: Books and Books in Miami Florida w/Aurora Dominguez and Yenni Ann

I’m honored to be represented by Elizabeth Copps of Copps Literary Services. Cover art by Nicole Medina.