My Fucked Up Fairytale - Paperback

Dale Guivas (born Dale Edward Sullivan) grew up in Florida under challenging circumstances. His mother, born with developmental and physical disabilities, was taken advantage of by his biological father, leaving Dale in the care of unsuitable family members. By age nine, he was given the surname Driver, and by eighteen, he had lived in twenty-three foster homes, aging out of the system. During his adolescence, Dale suffered physical and sexual abuse, often exchanged for drugs, and endured harsh foster placements, including one where food was locked away.

Despite these hardships, Dale found solace in the arts, particularly theater, writing, and pageantry. After marrying his high school sweetheart and having two children, Dale worked in ministry. However, at twenty-eight, he came out as gay and divorced his wife. He later married his now ex-husband, taking the surname Perrault. At thirty-three, Dale's final foster family, whom he considered his "forever home," officially adopted him--a symbolic gesture marking his senior graduation, giving him the surname Kiefer.

In 2020, Dale faced a series of life-altering events during the global pandemic. He was struck by lightning, fired from three real estate jobs, and spent a night in jail after trying to leave his abusive ex-husband. He also became estranged from his adopted family and lost contact with his children. Struggling with addiction since the age of six, Dale reached rock bottom after being date-raped, which motivated him to get sober. With the support of recovery and a sponsor, he has maintained sobriety for nearly three years. Dale also credits a therapist he sought out in 2016 for guiding him on the right path after enduring conversion therapy and other religious treatments throughout his life.

Professionally, Dale's career has been vibrant and diverse. He has worked in ministry, marketing, and leadership in the franchise industry, and as a professional ballroom dancer and competitive dance studio owner. He has also managed musicians and contributed to philanthropic efforts nationwide. Prior to publishing his memoir, My Fucked Up Fairytale: A Trauma Queen Confessional, Dale excelled in real estate, leading companies to surpass goals in recruitment, retention, and profitability, earning awards for his achievements and nonprofit involvement.

Dale has lived in Nashville, the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Palm Beach, Los Angeles, and currently resides in Saint Petersburg, Florida with his husband, Chris. His newest publication, How To Fill Your Love Tank: Fuel For Self, was released in December of 2024. He is working on a children's trilogy and has returned to real estate.