Avrel Seale is a writer and author interested in religious philosophy, social criticism, and memoir. He grew up in McAllen, Texas, the youngest son of writer Jan Epton Seale and composer and conductor Carl Seale. He earned a degree in radio-TV-film from The University of Texas at Austin in 1989.
After a series of odd jobs that included fronting a classic rock cover band, he landed a job with his hometown newspaper, The Monitor, where he wrote feature stories, humor columns, and social commentary.
In 1992, he moved back to Austin and the following year became editor of his alma mater’s alumni magazine, The Alcalde, where he spent 17 years. He is now speechwriter for the president of The University of Texas.
Seale writes and speaks extensively on spirituality, and in particular, the Bahá’í Faith.
His work includes:
Dude: A Generation X Memoir (2008)
The Tree: A Spiritual Proposition, and Selected Essays (2008)
The Messengers: The Stories of God's Special Servants - written for children (2008)
True Freedom and the Wisdom of Virtue: How the Baha'i Principles of Personal Morality Make Life Better (2007)
The Hull, the Sail, and the Rudder: My Search for the Boundaries of the Body Mind and Soul (2006)
In 2005, he wrote, co-produced and co-directed the indy feature film The Secret of Suranesh, a spiritual epic. He later adapted the film’s story as a novella.
He also is an avocational guitarist. He lives in Austin with his wife, Kirstin, and three sons, Andrew, Cameron, and Ian.
(Photo by Lynn Freehill)
