STEVEN CORTINAS
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Steven moved to Los Angeles in 2004 at age twenty-one. He joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2005, and he appeared in “Flags of Our Fathers”, "The Office", “CSI", and "A.P. Bio" amongst many others. In producing short films of his own, he made dozens of contacts with talented artists in various fields, from editing, to cinematography, and especially actors. All of those artists would eventually be brought into the fray when Steven began his next venture in 2019: an independent book series called “The Legacy Universe”.
While all characters and storylines will ultimately connect to one another, each novel is self-contained with its own genre. It also includes characters that Steven created for projects dating back to 2003. One of the most significant is Ivy Virtue, AKA “Private Ivy”. The story of a teen detective in a 1930’s film noir setting began as a screenplay that finished in the top 10 percent of the 2016 Academy Nichol Fellowship. As well-received as Ivy’s story was, however, Steven wanted to begin his book series with something that playfully honored his Latino heritage…
Book I: “The Illegal: the First Mexican Superhero” (Released 5-5-2020): Superheroes don’t exist in the real world…until one finally shows up. And he’s Mexican. Trained in the mysterious Latin X Program, “The Illegal” is an enhanced and obsessive-compulsive psychopath. His mission is to take down a ruthless crime syndicate that’s been terrorizing the citizens of Legacy City. His rampage is epic, it’s unprecedented, and it’s bloody. And through it all, he also begins training a young protégé whose good nature helps the Illegal regain the humanity he once lost. Welcome to the world of The Illegal, a social satire that pulls absolutely no punches.
The accompanying audiobook is the first in a line of cinematic audiobooks. Twelve actors bring the characters to life, as well as movie sound effects and a musical score done by a Warner Brothers composer named Mike Krstic. The voice of the Illegal is William Guirola, whose credits include TNT’s “Kingdom” and “Weird: the Al Yankovic Story” starring Daniel Radcliffe.
Book II: “Private Ivy” (Released on July 4th, 2020): We turn the clock back to 1939, and a girl named Ivy Virtue. Her father is an ex-cop, and her mother is the first Puerto Rican woman to be a successful private detective. When that mother is stricken with terminal cancer and that father becomes an alcoholic, Ivy throws herself headfirst into a series of bizarre and lethal cases that push every one of her limits. Before her first case is said and done, the girl they call “Private Ivy” will also be known as something else…legend.
Ivy’s cinematic audiobook features another full round of actors, sound effects, and a film noir musical score. It also won the 2022 Audiobook Reviewers Choice Award in the mystery category.
Book III: “The Shadow War” (Released on October 31st, 2020): In 1969, a group of genetically enhanced teens is unleashed upon an already hectic world. These kids – these “Shadows” – begin violently reshaping political landscapes: from Vietnam to the civil rights struggle. Standing a cut above her peers is a girl named Erin Escalante. Having grown jaded with the life of an assassin, she and her closest allies are ready to finally use their skills for the greater good. Standing in their way is the organization that created them, and the seemingly unstoppable army of monsters at their disposal.
“The Shadow War” cinematic audiobook features the largest cast yet (21 actors) and an action-packed round of sound effects and musical tracks.
Book IV: “The Ventriloquist” (Released 11-22-2021): November 22nd, 1963. A different November 22nd, 1963. This alternate reality finds millions of people hopelessly addicted to “The Hive”, a worldwide network that connects absolutely everything. From automated homes, to handheld phones, to social media, the Hive has eyes on all…including the murder of a President. JFK has been slain in Dallas. Taking the blame is a young Muslim named Lee Hussein Oswald. With him as the fall guy, the rulers of this world can kick off a war in the Middle East that will assure total control of the population. Enter the Ventriloquist. The famous local comedy act is jaded and shamed by his former occupation: that of a nearly indestructible assassin. But now with war on the horizon, the Ventriloquist is ready to redeem his soul by uncovering the dark secrets behind this dark world's vast technology.
The fourth cinematic audiobook will go into production in the summer of 2023.
Book V: “Relapse” (Released 7-1-2022): Presenting two hopeless: one a human girl named Jillian, the other a vampire named Charles. Jillian is suffering a domestic abuse nightmare, while Charles is drowning in an immortal world of murder and depression. Their tumultuous lives have not only kicked them off their respective wagons, but when Jillian witnesses the incredible power of the vampire, she desperately wants it for herself. Sensing a last chance to redeem his tortured soul, Charles decides to take this broken girl on a tour of the supernatural underworld. Together they will run a gauntlet of monsters and mayhem that no amount of alcohol can numb away.
The fifth cinematic audiobook will go into production in the summer of 2023.
