About Maria

Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith who loves to write about everything but the kitchen sink. She is the author of a popular blog, Sex and the Beach, where she writes, cartoons and produces video skits under the pen name Manola Blablablanik and other characters, including Dr. Annie Steelclit, who offers skewed advice and Professor Chancleta, who produces Spanglish lesson podcasts.

Maria is also a senior writer and forum editor for Miami Beach 411, where she helps members with expert local advice. Other local coverage includes writing for MSN City Guides and Miami New Times Calendar and Restaurant Guides.

Additional blog work includes articles about sex, food and technology for Back in Skinny Jeans.

Her print work has appeared in Caribbean Travel and Life, Mandarin Oriental, Miami Living and MAP (Music Art People), to name a few. She is also a former sex and relationships columnist for Citylink Magazine.

Maria has also published prose and poetry in numerous literary journals and anthologies. Her creative work has earned several awards as well as a nomination for a Pushcart Prize. She is also the author of Meridian, a self-published collection of stories about traveling alone as a woman in Spain -- the basis for a larger book collection in the future.

Maria has a background in academe, having completed postgraduate coursework in Caribbean Studies while working as a teacher of record at the University of Miami. During her tenure, she taught composition, film, literature, women's studies and business writing.

In recent years, Maria worked as a yoga instructor after earning her certification. Although currently on hiatus from teaching, she practices yoga and meditation on a daily basis.