Betty Viamontes was born in Havana, Cuba and emigrated to the United States when she was fifteen years old. She left Cuba aboard a shrimp boat, as part of the Mariel exodus, during a night when many families perished at sea, but despite a childhood full of traumatic experiences, Betty managed to succeed in corporate America. In addition to her nonprofit work, Betty has authored several novels and an anthology of short stories. Her novel, "Waiting on Zapote Street," was a winner of the Latino Books Into Movies Award. The Latino Author website lists this autobiographical novel as one of the best ten books of 2016. In 2017, it became an Amazon bestseller in this category, after being selected by a United Nations women’s book club and multiple others. It has reached #1 bestseller status three times, including in January 2023 after the related screenplay was nominated for the Toronto Film and Screenplay Awards 2023. "Waiting on Zapote Street" and the second part of this novel "The Dance of the Rose" have both been featured in newspaper articles, including the Spanish edition of the Miami Herald. "Brothers: A Pedro Pan Story" won Best Book: Fiction in 2022 -International Latino Book Awards. “The Girl from White Creek, a true story, was Amazon’s #1 new release in its category. In 2020 and 2021, respectively, "The Pedro Pan Girls: Seeking Closure" and "Brotherhood: A Pedro Pan Story" were also featured as #1 new releases. In 2023, Betty published "Crossing North: Tribulations of a Cuban Doctor," the twelve-year journey of a Cuban physician to achieve his freedom. It is a timely account of immigration through the Mexican border. That year, she also published "Orchids in the Shadows: Between Darkness and Light in Cuba" and "After They Left," both #1 new releases. "After They Left" can be read on its own or as part II of "Waiting on Zapote Street," an award-winning book that has been very well received, not only in the United States but internationally. Her works have appeared in various newspapers and magazines, including the prestigious University of South Florida literary journal "The Mailer Review." She holds two master’s degrees from the University of South Florida; Accounting and Business Administration, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing.Read more about this authorRead less about this author