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Zara D. Garcia-Alvarez was born in Toronto. She received the York University Entrance Scholarship and earned her undergraduate degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Vanier College at York under the study from prolific writers such as Susan Swan, Christopher Dewdney, and Don Summerhayes. Other areas of study included: Women’s Studies and Ethnic Minorities in Canadian Society.
Throughout her academic career, Zara has received numerous awards and honourary achievements including: Valedictorian of her 1989 graduating class; Peel Co-op Education Teachers Association Award, Ontario Scholar Award, and Brampton Rotary Club Award of Excellence.
She has always been actively interested in the creative writing community and has been associated with: The Brampton Writer’s Guild Association (1994-1997); The York Creative Writing Student Collective (1995-1997); executive officer of Writers at York (1996-1998); co-founder of Writers’ Read (1996-1998); editorial assistant for the literary magazine, Existere (1995-1998); and winner of the Word Guild Writing Contest (2007). Her continuing education training has included “Eight-Step Editing” and “Proofreading” through The Editors’ Association of Canada (2010).
Formerly an editorial assistant for eight years for the publishing house, UCPH, her interests have varied from: reviewing Canadian fiction and literature; writing short stories and poetry; penpalling, collecting postcards, critiquing film; photography; beading; scrap-booking; drawing; mehendi; collecting fair trade ethnic artifacts; visiting art galleries, museums, historical buildings, and churches; fashion; long-distance running and Pilates; ethnicity, cultural customs, religious practices, and advocating literacy and justice for marginalized peoples.
Between being a freelance writer, editor, and book reviewer, a mom, and a housewife, she confesses a recent addiction to Twitter, contest giveaways, nail polish, and vintage thrift shops.
Zara currently lives in Brampton with her husband, her two young children, and their imaginary dog, Pirate.
To contact, please email Zara.
You can also follow Zara on Twitter: @ZaraAlexis
I love the end where you say, “and their imaginary dog, Pirate.” That is great! This is my first visit to your blog and I will be back!
Wonderful for you to drop by Angela. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit. Pirate is wagging his tail with approval and will be awaiting your return!
I would like to know where you found the toy Yeti that’s pictured on your site? I have a young son that currently is fascinated with Yetis, but not so much with books yet.
Hi Mark! Thanks for dropping by! I bought a a stuffed toy called a “Moshi Monster.” The yeti I have is named Furi.I bought this little guy at Chapters-Indigo. Here’s the Moshi Monster website: http://www.moshimonsters.com/ Good luck!
Thanks Zara, I’m sure my 7 yr. old will love his new Easter Yeti, ha. You’ve got an extensive Wish List, and now I’m interested in some of them. Thanks again for your help.
Mark