Welcome

Hello. Thank you for stopping by. I'm happy you're here.

My name is Wren Valentino. I'm an actor, entrepreneur, film producer, movie critic, workshop instructor, and writer. I write in multiple genres, primarily romance, thriller, young adult, and horror. In addition, I'm a playwright, poet, and screnwriter. 

As an actor, I can be seen (and heard) in thirty films, including many horror movies. Currently, I play fashionista Velvet Vane on the popular web series Horror Hound Bites with Mary Kate (Forever Entertainment). Check out the Acting section for more info. 

If you'd like to learn more about me and my life, the About section offers more details. For more intimate access, I invite you to subscribe to my free OnlyFans.

The Links page is a great list of writing resources and links to the individual webpages of the members of my collective creative team. There, you will also find links to places you can connect with me online, as well as where you can read some of my work.

I've created a series of workshops for writers of all levels of experience, genres, and form. Visit Workshops with Wren for more information.

Visit Fantastic Classics for film reviews I write about classic films of all eras and all genres.

All of my titles are published by Blue Dasher Press. 

My most recent project is a short story about magic, romance, a black cat, and Halloween called Bells and Spells. 

Don't forget to check out the Giveaways page where you can find information on when the Kindle Unlimited editions of my books and short stories are available free every month. 

Please send all professional inquiries via the contact form. A member of my creative team will be happy to help you. 

Again, thank you for being here. As always, thank you for your support!💙

New Release from Blue Dasher Press: Mind Fields by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the exclusive Kindle Unlimited release of Mind Fields, a gripping and sensual new M/M romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. A paperback edition will be available soon.

Set against the seductive backdrop of wealth and power, Mind Fields follows struggling college student Adam Parsh as he takes a job tutoring for one of the world’s most influential families. What begins as a chance to make ends meet quickly spirals into a dangerous entanglement with Dario Vassalos—a magnetic Greek tycoon and his married employer. As Adam is pulled deeper into a world of luxury, lust, and manipulation, his heart begins to lean toward someone else entirely: his loyal best friend, Victor Maldonado.

Caught between temptation and true connection, Adam must navigate a storm of secrets, lies, and impossible choices. Sometimes love can blow you away—and sometimes it can save you.

In speaking about his creative process, Wren Valentino shared:

“Mind Fields explores the emotional minefield of what money, power, and greed can do to people—and what happens when someone who’s never had any of those things still manages to hold onto his goodness. Adam’s story is deeply personal to me. He knows grief, he knows loneliness, and yet he still chooses love over corruption. That’s the kind of hero I believe in.”

This is a must-read for fans of emotional tension, forbidden romance, and characters who refuse to lose themselves in the shadows of others.

Mind Fields is now available exclusively through Kindle Unlimited. Don’t miss your chance to experience this haunting, provocative novel from one of today’s most distinctive voices in LGBTQ+ romance.

Read the Kindle Unlimited edition now. 

Paperback coming soon.

New Release from Blue Dasher Press: Swimming to Chicago by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the release of the young adult novel Swimming to Chicago by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Now available in paperback and ebook formats, this powerful coming-of-age story explores grief, identity, and the kind of friendships that shape us forever.

About the Book:

Reeling from his mother’s suicide, seventeen-year-old Alex Bainbridge isolates himself from the world—often escaping to a secluded island behind his house. As an Armenian teen growing up in a small Southern town, Alex struggles to feel seen. His fierce friendship with the outspoken Jillian Dambro is his lifeline—until he meets Robby LaMont, a quiet new student who understands Alex in ways no one else ever has.

As their final year of high school unfolds and the adults in their lives spin out of control, Alex, Jillian, and Robby form an unbreakable bond. United by love and loyalty, the three make a bold decision to chart their own future—one that will test their courage and change their lives forever.

Author’s Inspiration:

In a note about his creative process, Wren Valentino shares:

“Swimming to Chicago was born out of music, memory, and emotion. I listened to a lot of Garbage and Metric while writing this book—those songs became a kind of emotional map for the characters. Their lyrics helped me tap into the rawness of Alex’s grief and the hope that emerges when you find people who truly see you. Both bands are mentioned in the book because their influence was so deeply felt during the writing process.”

Poignant, poetic, and ultimately hopeful, Swimming to Chicago is a must-read for fans of emotionally honest YA fiction.

Available Now:

Swimming to Chicago is now available in paperback and ebook through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and indie bookstores.

For more news on upcoming releases and behind-the-scenes insights, stay connected with Blue Dasher Press.

Balancing Art and Commerce: The Strange Dance of Creativity and the Writing Business

There’s a curious rhythm to being a working writer—a rhythm that often feels more like a clash than a collaboration. On one side, there’s the quiet, personal world of creativity: the hours spent dreaming, drafting, revising, reimagining. On the other side, there’s the business: contracts, royalties, marketing strategies, website analytics, tax forms, and branding.

Some days, the two sides harmonize beautifully. Other days, it feels like trying to waltz while one foot is stuck in molasses.

I’ve long believed that writing, at its best, is an act of deep emotional and intellectual surrender. When I’m immersed in the creative process, I’m not thinking about profit margins or metadata optimization. I’m thinking about character motivations, dialogue rhythms, the color of a sky that doesn’t exist but feels real to me. I’m chasing emotional truth.

But then I look at the calendar and realize a quarterly tax payment is due, or that I need to finalize a contract, or pitch a workshop, or post something coherent on social media that isn’t just “I made words today, I think?” And suddenly the spell is broken.

This is the strange juxtaposition so many writers wrestle with. You must protect the tenderness of your creative spirit while also developing a sharp, clear-eyed understanding of the industry you’re part of. The modern writer—especially the independent or hybrid one—must be both artist and entrepreneur. That duality can be exhausting, but it can also be empowering.

Here’s what I’ve learned, and am still learning:

• Creativity needs boundaries—but not bars. Deadlines can be useful motivators, but they shouldn't strangle the story. I try to set schedules that honor my creative cycles while also meeting business realities.

• The business side deserves creativity too. Marketing doesn’t have to be soulless. A newsletter can be an extension of your voice. A book launch can be a celebration, not a chore.

• Outsourcing is not failure. It’s okay to get help with the parts that drain you—be it accounting, formatting, or promotion. Your energy is a finite resource; spend it wisely.

• You’re allowed to step away. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your writing—and your business—is to unplug, take a walk, or do something entirely unrelated. The well has to be refilled.

At the end of the day, I remind myself that the business side of writing exists because of the creative work. It exists to support it—not to replace it. The trick is learning to let those two parts of yourself talk to each other, instead of fight for dominance.

Some days, that conversation is clumsy. Other days, it's downright poetic.

And on the rare, golden days—it’s a dance.

---

Have you struggled with this balancing act too? What helps you blend your creative process with the business demands of writing?

Wren Valentino

April Update: Poetry, Passion Projects, and Rays of Hope

Happy April, everyone!

Spring is in full bloom, and so is National Poetry Month — a time I hold close to my heart. As a poet, I embrace this month and all the beauty and truth it represents. Poetry reminds us to slow down, pay attention, and feel more deeply. If you haven’t yet had a chance to dive into my collections of poetry, I invite you to do so. Poetry has always been a lighthouse for me, and I hope mine can offer a little light for you, too.

This month also marks an exciting new chapter in my creative journey — I’ve adopted a new pen name: Jaxon Sevyn. Under this name, I’ll be writing m/m erotic romance stories filled with heart, heat, and hope. My first title as Jaxon, Desire in Varadero, is now available — and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you.

Speaking of new releases, I’ve got several stories that just dropped and I’m incredibly proud of each one:

THE JETSETTERS

Justin Holt is a lonely barista in Chicago, juggling college and evening shifts at Clouds, a cozy coffee shop owned by his lesbian best friend, Starsky. One day, Diego Delgado — the Latin guitarist for rising rock band The Jetsetters — walks in, and everything changes. As love blossoms and the band’s fame skyrockets, Justin must navigate the chaos of instant celebrity, grief, and the strength it takes to hold on when the world starts spinning too fast.

FIFTY YARDS AND HOLDING

Victor Alvarez is a high school football star — and the reluctant leader of a violent street gang. Riley Brewer is a baseball prodigy with a big heart and an even bigger secret. When their paths cross, a powerful connection forms. But in a world where love like theirs is dangerous, the cost of being true to themselves might be everything.

SWIMMING TO CHICAGO

Seventeen-year-old Alex Bainbridge finds refuge on a secluded island near his home after his mother’s suicide. Isolated and adrift, he forms a deep friendship with Jillian Dambro and eventually falls for Robby LaMont, a shy new student. Together, the trio weathers the storms of life, discovering the kind of love and loyalty that can carry you across any ocean — even if it means swimming to Chicago.

And there's more! I’m overjoyed to announce I’ll be a series regular in the upcoming web series Horror Hound Bites with Mary Kate — keep your eyes peeled for all twelve episodes once they drop!

My short horror script The Playhouse was recently named an official selection of the Stockholm City Film Festival in Sweden. I’m also thrilled to share that the powerful feature film Shredded, where I serve as Executive Producer, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

On stage, my one-act play Hour Glass will be performed at West Texas A&M University on April 27 — an honor I’m deeply grateful for.

As an actor, I’ve been keeping busy with some thrilling film projects, including Dummy (SRS Cinema) and A Beast in the Manor (Black Coppice Films). It’s been a whirlwind of creativity, and I’m loving every moment of it.

Outside of work, I’ve been grounding myself with family time, home-cooked meals, and lots of game nights — Old Maid still holds up, by the way! There’s something soothing about the simplicity of shuffling cards and sharing laughter around the table.

I’ve also been binging a gem of a show I missed the first time around — Scott & Bailey, which originally aired from 2011 to 2016. It’s gripping, smart, and features stellar performances from Suranne Jones, Lesley Sharp, and Amelia Bullmore. The writing, thanks to the brilliant Sally Wainwright, is top-notch. I can't recommend it enough.

On a more personal note… like many of you, I’ve been feeling the heaviness of the world. Some days it’s a lot to carry. But I’ve been making a conscious effort to rest, reflect, and refuel. That balance — between doing and simply being — is more essential than ever. If you have the capacity, please check in on your friends and loved ones. Just asking “Are you okay?” can mean the world.

The other morning, I saw a beautiful ray of sunlight breaking through the branches of a tree. It felt like a sign — a quiet promise that better days are ahead.

So hang in there. Keep going. Keep creating. Keep loving.

Be good to each other.

And thank you, always, for being part of this journey with me.

With love,

Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of The Jetsetters by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the release of The Jetsetters, a captivating m/m romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Available now in paperback and eBook formats, The Jetsetters tells the passionate and emotional story of two young men navigating the complexities of love, fame, and personal growth.

In The Jetsetters, Justin Holt is a lonely barista living in Chicago who spends his days attending college and his evenings working at Clouds, a cozy coffee shop owned by his lesbian boss and best friend, Starsky. His quiet life is turned upside down when Diego Delgado, the hot Latin guitarist for the rock band The Jetsetters, strolls in for a cup of coffee. From their first encounter, a powerful spark is ignited between them.

As The Jetsetters rocket from obscurity to superstardom, Justin and Diego’s budding romance is put to the test. Justin must fight to preserve their relationship despite the chaos surrounding Diego’s rise to fame. When unexpected tragedy threatens Diego’s career and emotional well-being, Justin faces a heart-wrenching decision that will alter the course of their lives.

Author Wren Valentino shared his thoughts about the creative process behind The Jetsetters:

“I wanted to explore the intensity of young love and how it collides with the pressures of instant fame. At its heart, The Jetsetters is about finding connection and hope, even when the world feels impossibly loud.”

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable romance from Wren Valentino! Grab your copy of The Jetsetters today in paperback or eBook format, available wherever books are sold.

Stay tuned for more updates from Blue Dasher Press, including upcoming releases, author interviews, and special events. Follow us on social media to stay in the loop!

The Public and the Private: The Intersection Where I Exist

There’s a paradox at the heart of my life, and I feel it more acutely every day. As a writer and actor, my career depends on visibility. It requires me to be present, to share, to engage, and to let people into my world. But at my core, I yearn for a quieter, more anonymous existence. The intersection of these two realities is where I live, constantly balancing the demands of a public life with the deep pull toward privacy.

The truth about being a writer—or any kind of artist, really—is that you can’t simply create and expect people to find your work. You have to promote. You have to remind people you exist, that you have something to offer, that your next book, play, or performance is worth their time. This requires social media presence, public appearances, and a willingness to market not just the work, but also yourself.

And therein lies my struggle. I am not naturally inclined to self-promotion. I don’t wake up eager to craft the perfect Instagram caption or engage in endless discourse on Facebook. I find solace in the quiet spaces: in the pages of a book, in the stillness before a scene, in the sacred act of putting words to paper. Yet, to sustain my career, I must step out of those spaces and into the public eye.

There’s a vulnerability in this. The more you share, the more you invite scrutiny. The more visible you are, the less control you have over how you are perceived. Some days, this feels manageable; other days, it feels overwhelming. I find myself envying those who can create without expectation, who can live without the pressure of maintaining an audience’s attention. But I also recognize that this visibility grants me opportunities—to connect, to inspire, to make a living doing what I love.

So I exist in this in-between space. I embrace the necessity of being seen while protecting my need for solitude. I show up, but I also step back when needed. I remind myself that I can be present without giving everything away. And most importantly, I continue to create, because at the end of the day, that is what makes all of this worthwhile.

Perhaps there is no perfect resolution to this tension. Perhaps the answer is simply learning to navigate it with grace. I’m still figuring it out, but I know one thing for certain: I will always find my way back to the quiet, no matter how loud the world gets.