Picture a Brazilian storyteller who’s weaving heartfelt tales of love, identity, and self-discovery—meet Vitor Martins! This young adult romance novelist from São Paulo is capturing hearts worldwide with his emotionally rich stories that celebrate diversity and break stereotypes. With novels like Here the Whole Time and This Is Our Place, Martins invites readers into worlds where every character feels like a friend you’ve known forever.
His knack for blending humor, vulnerability, and queer representation has made him a beacon for teens and adults alike, proving that stories can entertain while sparking meaningful conversations about who we are and who we want to be.
The Making of Vitor Martins
Born in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Vitor Martins grew up with a passion for storytelling that led him to study journalism. After moving to São Paulo in 2013, he juggled roles as an illustrator, book marketer, and translator, honing his creative skills. His love for young adult literature, inspired by the lack of representation he felt as a queer teen, pushed him to write stories where marginalized voices shine. His debut novel, Quinze Dias (published in English as Here the Whole Time), marked his entry into the literary world in 2017, born from a short story that blossomed into a full novel during a time of personal and professional reflection.
Vitor Martins’s Unforgettable Stories
Martins’s novels are like warm hugs—funny, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. His debut, Here the Whole Time, follows Felipe, a shy, fat, gay teen navigating body image issues and a budding crush when his neighbor Caio stays over for two weeks. The book’s honest exploration of self-acceptance and queer identity won the 2021 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Translated YA Book Award and has been published in nine countries.
Um Milhão de Finais Felizes (A Million Happy Endings) introduces Jonas, a young man grappling with his conservative family and finding solace in friendship and a new romance. This Is Our Place (originally Se a Casa 8 Falasse), a 2022 Jabuti Award finalist, spans three decades, weaving stories of love and family through the lens of a single house. Martins’s style is conversational yet profound, tackling themes like body positivity, LGBTQ+ identity, and the search for belonging with a light touch that never feels preachy.
His short story Escrito em Algum Lugar captures the magic of fleeting connections, as two boys bond while waiting in line for a concert. Each work showcases Martins’s gift for crafting characters who feel real, with dialogue that sparkles and emotions that resonate long after the last page.
Why Vitor Martins Matters
Vitor Martins is more than a novelist—he’s a trailblazer for representation in young adult literature. His stories give voice to queer, fat, and marginalized teens, offering mirrors for those who rarely see themselves in books and windows for others to understand diverse experiences. His work has sparked conversations about body image, self-love, and the power of chosen families, resonating with readers across Brazil and beyond. With film rights for Here the Whole Time optioned by Conspiração Films, Martins’s influence is poised to grow, inspiring a new generation to embrace their truths and tell their own stories.
- Born: Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro
- Key Works: Here the Whole Time, Um Milhão de Finais Felizes, This Is Our Place, Escrito em Algum Lugar
- Awards: Co-winner of 2021 GLLI Translated YA Book Award, 2022 Jabuti Award finalist
- Fun Fact: He’s a huge Spider-Man and Lego fan!
Snag Here the Whole Time and dive into Vitor Martins’s heartwarming world of young adult romance—you’ll laugh, cry, and maybe even rediscover yourself along the way!