Alberto Ferreras: B as in Beauty — From Screenplay to First Novel

Filmmaker and novelist Alberto Ferreras visits Miami for the launch of his debut novel "B as in Beauty" at the Epic Hotel. Premier Guide Miami sat down to find out what that means — and what comes next.

This week artist Alberto Ferreras was in Miami for a rendez-vous with his fans organized by Books and Books for the launch of his first novel "B as in Beauty" (Grand Central Publishing). We made it to the Epic Hotel, a Kimpton Group Hotel on the Miami River, to ask some questions.

At the 16th floor, admiring an incredible view over Miami Beach, we spent time discussing the launch of the hotel's new literary event with Eric Jellson, Area Director of Sales and Marketing. "This is how Kimpton Group and Epic Hotel Miami wants to roll out summer playground during summertime for their guests," Jellson explained. "Summer-reading is all about having a good time and escaping with a good book. We also give back to our community as a proud partner with the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade-Monroe, a nonprofit that distributes books to thousands of children."

Wearing a brown skirt-kilt with low boots, Alberto Ferreras arrived lively and smiling, happy to present his new creation in such beautiful surroundings.

VP: How did you make the transition from working in the movie and TV industry to writing a first book?

AF: I was in promotion, making movie trailers or writing screenplays — entertainment. I had spent 12 years working with channels such as MTV and HBO, and I thought it was time to change and do something different in my life.

VP: Was it easy?

AF: I had the idea for this book for a long time. I have always thought that self-esteem is important and that what one might consider a defect in his or her life or body could truly be loved by someone else and viewed as an asset. I first wrote a screenplay that I shopped around, but people would not consider it as a movie — rather as a great book. When I met a literary agent who loved it, I decided it would actually be a great book, and here it is.

VP: There is a little of Ugly Betty in the plot of "B as in Beauty." How do you deal with that comparison?

AF: I wrote the idea a long time ago, even before Ugly Betty was on the air. I think everybody has an audience, and it is true for this book and its cute story. It is the story of one woman's journey to find herself. I was also thinking about women in Fellini's movies — full of curves but so luxurious and feminine. B is all about curves.

VP: What is your next step?

AF: It has gotten a lot of attention and I am of course happy people like it. I have sold the rights of the book for a movie, but as of today I cannot say more — only that it has been a great adventure.

Alberto Ferreras is a flamboyant person. As soon as we finished the Q&A session he turned to his audience and started reading a few pages of the book, entertaining everyone with the story of B, laughing and making jokes. Everybody enjoyed it. It was an awesome interview with a very nice, funny, interesting and caring person.

For more upcoming events across South Florida, visit the Premier Guide Miami Events Calendar .