Meet Beverly Gandara
Hi!
Simply thank you for visiting my site and reading about me and my work. I began writing screenplays after retirement from the corporate world. My screenplays are a mixture of comedy, drama, suspense, and family conflicts, all inspired by or based on true events in the lives of people I respect and admire. After having one screenplay optioned and one in development, at the suggestion of two producers, I converted two of my screenplays into novels.
I craft stories that resonate with heart and humanity, providing a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard. Through my work, I bring to life the intricate tapestry of human emotions and experiences, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of everyday people. I am honored that individuals have trusted me with their journeys so that I may share them with you.
All my heroes understand that success isn’t always measured by what one becomes but often by what one overcomes.
My books are available online at Amazon and all fine stores where books are sold. https://www.amazon.com/Beverly-Gandara/e/B01E7TYXJ8
My books consist of two novels and two non-fiction books. They are:
Concrete Wings is based on a screenplay of the same name. It is a fascinating coming-of-age adventure of a naïve teen sent out of Cuba on the eve of the Bay of Pigs Invasion to retrieve smuggled family jewels and help settle his family in America. With recognition from the film community, it was suggested I expand the story into a novel, which I did, titled Concrete Wings, and both the screenplay and the novel take readers on a journey from Cuba to New York City at the height of the sexual revolution. Inspired by my husband Armando's experiences and I am so proud of him for sharing his adventure. Concrete Wings has been recognized with multiple awards for the screenplay and the novel.
Soaring in Silence is based on a screenplay titled Unprotected Witness. It is a drama/thriller that takes place in 1994 when a young wife who relocates to AZ from NY for health reasons is subjected to relentless sexual advances by a dangerous retiree with a hidden criminal past. In a battle for survival, by her resourcefulness and the wonders of the Internet, she derails an impending attack and triumphs in secret.
Women, Work and Triumph is a compilation with interviews of twenty-six women from five countries in professions from A to Z who share their unique stories of overcoming obstacles in pursuit of acceptance and respect in professions generally dominated by men.
When Did You Know and Who Did You Tell? I interviewed twenty-five LGBTQAI+ role models who courageously shared their journeys to becoming their authentic selves.
My screenplays are:
"Concrete Wings," See description above.
"Rent Money," a comedy set in 1965 Manhattan, is about an independent virgin bookkeeper working for two sexually active men in the Radio and TV Barter business who is focused on two goals. 1. remain independent and pay her own rent. 2. experience womanhood with a handsome neighbor. Stymied by society's changing rules during the sexual revolution, with courage and dignity, she reaches at least one of her goals successfully. “Rent Money” earned me my first trophy, the Golden Palm Award for Best Screenplay at the 2012 Beverly Hills International Film Festival.
"While I Wait," a drama based on true events during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, is inspired by my experience working with a prominent attorney who contracted AIDS and our three-year journey from fear to diagnosis to the unknown.
"Misinformed Heart," a female-driven suspense thriller, is about a prescription-addicted environmentalist on the brink of success who is wrongly accused of murder as she attempts to overcome an incestuous past. It is suggested by compelling stories told to me by abused women who had no resources to help them through their crises.
"Unprotected Witness," co-written with Jack Knight Unprotected Witness was converted into a novel titled Soaring in Silence. See above.
Turnaround – co-written with John Han, is a family drama about a financier’s Asian discipline and love of music that frees his Spanish stepson from the gut-wrenching effects of ADD to become an A student and world-class musician.
Thanks for visiting. You are welcome anytime. If you have any questions, please use the contact form attached, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Contact (bevgandara.com)
“Beverly Gandara's unique value proposition lies in her ability to tell stories that are not just read or heard but felt deeply. Her works offer a platform for silent voices to be heard, blending the rough edges of reality with the elegance, charm, and warmth that only a skilled storyteller like her can provide. Her books and screenplays are not just narratives; they are windows into the souls of her characters, inviting readers and viewers to experience the world through their eyes.
Gandara's dedication to her craft is evident in the numerous accolades her works have received, including Five Star Readers' Favorite awards for her books and trophies and recognition in various film festivals and competitions for her screenplays.”
Photo by George Atoraya Simonov