Today we’d like to introduce you to Giovan Santiago
Hi Giovan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Florida in 2006. It wasn’t easy, my family’s income was sporadic causing us to move constantly. I had to transfer from school to school, and when I first moved here, I had to repeat the third grade due to my poor English.
Fast forward to my high school years, I discovered a passion for writing when I suddenly got an idea for a fantasy novel, which I’m still working on to this day.
In 2021, I enrolled a copyediting program of the University of San Diego and became certified soon after. It didn’t bear any fruit for me, but it did teach me an important lesson that I didn’t appreciate at the time. I was trying to find a part=time job so that I could support myself financially. From working on house-flipping projects with my father, to applying for vocational rehabilitation, I finally landed a job at my local Bed Bath & Beyond.
During that time, I made little progress in my writing career, and before I knew it, the store closed down in 2023 leaving me jobless. I could have tried applying to another job, but I decided that I have forsaken my talents and desires for long enough. I decided to fully embrace freelancing like I should have done since becoming a copyeditor.
In the same year, I started by blog “Embrace the Pixels,” where I write about curious happening in the technological and video game world. It awoke my journalistic sense and has led me to many amazing events and places. Later still, I learned through a monthly newsletter of the Orange County Library or Indienomicon who hosted demo presentations at the Melrose Center. There I met the head of OMG Labs, Isabella Johnston. Through her I learned of game jams, development competitions where developers develop a game within a specific timeframe—the All Hallows Jam was the first I attended. I was absolutely mesmerized by the event and ever since it has brought me closer to the indie development scene in Orlando. I’ve met many brilliant entrepreneurs and developers who shared a love for video games eventually landing me my first job in 2024 as a Social Media Coordinator for Indie development studio Team Firestorm.
It was initially strange as I knew NOTHING of social media marketing and content creation. But I learned as I went, and I had an absolute blast marketing their game “Blood on the Thames,” coming up with ideas for posts, and engaging with the community me and the studio’s owner, Matt Thompson, built within the span of a year.
Right now, I’m working with my friend and business partner Danny Tapia as Head Marketer and Coordinator of his tech startup “Tap 4 Technologies.” I also recently became a correspondent for the independently owned Orlando Tech News where I also speak about video game-related events. While I love writing media and copy, they are but minor goals of my writing journey.
I wish to live purely from my writing. As I write these words, I’m working on a high fantasy novel about alchemy and gods. I wish to write a create a video game one day and be recognized the world over as an author. I only recently started and I MUST DO MORE!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth journey. I burned through my savings from Bed Bath & Beyond relatively quick. Within the span of a few months, I had no money left. Thankfully, my parents are extremely supportive and have helped me out in attending important networking events for my business. When I finally earned my first pay from Social Media Coordination, I knew that that freelancing was the path for me. Which is ironic because I had ZERO interest in business growing up. ^_^’
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a freelance writer and editor who specializes in articles, blogs, social media posts, books, and scripts. I also specialize in acting and plan to do voiceover work in the future.
I would say I’m best known for my blog “Embrace the Pixels,” and on a lesser note, my hair.
What I’m most proud of is myself and all of the progress I’ve made thus far to get my life to where I want it to be.
What sets me apart from others is that I over analyze everything. I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so making something be the best it can be is always a must.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
When I received an R4 card for my Nintendo DS, allowing me to play hundreds of DS games.
Contact Info:
- Website: giovangelux@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giovangelux/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043273484532
- Twitter: https://x.com/Giovangelux
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0RfdVQiWgpX5rB78SbDJuA
