The Tucson Festival of Books (TFOB) is just around the corner (March 14-15), and while the UA Mall gets all the headlines, we know where our local talent lives. It turns out that when we aren't busy navigating the local carpool lanes or arguing about the best time to plant tomatoes, some of us are busy writing the next great stories.

From the ranch porches of Sonoita to the quiet cul-de-sacs of Vail, our neighbors have been busy weaving tales that are just as rugged and beautiful as a monsoon sunset. Here are local wordsmiths you need to know.

You might know Adam Rex as the guy walking his dog around West University, but the rest of the world knows him as the creative force behind over 40 books, including NYT bestsellers like School’s First Day of School. His latest, The Story of Gumluck and the Heroes, features a "noodle head" of a wizard on a quest with some questionable "heroes." Adam loves that Tucson feels like a city when he wants it to be and a sleepy town when he doesn't. Support local and grab his books at The Littlest Bookshop, and follow him at @mr.adamrex.

If you’ve ever looked at a Palo Verde protecting a tiny saguaro and thought, "There’s a story there," Danielle Fradette beat you to it. Her award-winning book, The Giving Tree of the Desert, is a beautiful Southwest twist on a classic, teaching kids (and adults) about the resilience and interconnectedness of our home. Danielle has been a Tucsonan for 20+ years and has a deep pride in our support local culture. Follow her at @danielle_fradette.

A former Air Force girl and homeschooling mom turned preschool teacher at Creation School, Celena Janton brings The Princess Bride vibes to our backyard. Her Christian Fairytale series is clean, adventurous fiction perfect for girls of any age. Celena is a true Vailite—she’s the one being cheered up by familiar faces at the Vail Coffee Stop or the post office on hard days. Ask an associate at Barnes & Noble to order her books, or find them on Amazon.

After retiring from a career as a public-school librarian in NYC, Lisa Gerin traded the subway for our gorgeous desert weather eight years ago. She’s now writing impactful nonfiction for children, such as Rosalind Looked Closer (about the unsung heroes of molecular science) and Lucy Stone Speaks Up. Follow her at @_.lisagerinwriter.

Christopher’s journey started on his grandmother’s typewriter, fueled by a love for The Hobbit. Today, he’s an Amazon Bestseller across Fantasy, Christian, and Historical Fiction. If you're looking for detailed worlds and characters you can actually believe in, Christopher is your go-to guide. Explore his vast collection of adventures and learn more about his books at christopher-patterson.com.

Mary knows a thing or two about "sticking the landing." A former Division I scholarship gymnast for the U of A, she transitioned from the mat to the page with her riveting Gym Rats book series. When she isn’t writing about the world of gymnastics, she’s an elite performance coach helping people tap into their innate potential. She brings that same "audacious brilliance" to everything she touches. Look for her Gym Rats series for the young athletes in your life!

Kristin is a bit of a local super-neighbor. In addition to working full-time, she balances running a consulting business, Next Chapter Strategies, with a children’s publishing company, Baby Rex Productions.

Look for Grumpaloffagus (focused on emotional management) and How to Snuggle a Wiggly Worm (all about connection and self-care). Each book includes supporting guides and professional resources for parents at the end.

I’m stepping out from behind the newsletter desk for a moment to share another passion project of mine — Discovering Something Greater. I co-authored this book along with 3 other women, Kristin Gudenkauf (the same one featured above), Mary Farias (also featured above), and Casie Rendon. Discovering Something Greater is a two-time bestseller, and it was written right here in our community. This book is a roadmap for female entrepreneurs looking to redefine success. It’s designed to feel like a chat over coffee with friends, guiding you through five essential pillars: Vision, Self-Image, Balance, Voice, and Resilience. Whether you're running a business from your kitchen table in Vail or dreaming of a new path, this framework is built to help you find your something greater.

Pima Animal Care Center has quite a few pets that have ages up into the double digits, and these Golden Girls (and Boys) are looking to spend their golden years on a couch or in a bed. What they don’t have is anymore kennel space. Now’s your time to bring home your next family member, whether by fostering or adopting.

Seniors always have $0 adoption fees at PACC. Stop by to meet these sweet pets!

Featured events and happenings around the greater Vail area.

Whether you’re looking to overhaul your bank account or help your kids build a solid faith foundation, Vail Christian Church has you covered this spring with two major class launches on March 25th.

Click the class links or email Erin Hardy at [email protected] for more information.

Are you a local business looking to grow your reach? The Tiny Treasures Consignment Easter Event is looking for unique local makers, bakers, and creators to join us this spring. Whether you specialize in handmade crafts, delicious food, or unique local services, this is the perfect opportunity to get your brand in front of new customers.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: March 20th & 21st
𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: 14600 E Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, AZ
𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Both Indoor and Outdoor spots available!

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘁: www.tinytreasuresconsignment.org/vendors-advertisers

Get 6 delicious Charron wines paired with 6 flavors of jellybeans! $12 with your own glass, $18 with a souvenir glass.

Welcome to the Home on the Range section. It’s here where we drink our coffee together on the porch as we talk about what it’s like to live in the desert. If you have a home, Airbnb, or desert living tip you’d like to highlight, secure your spot here.

Embrace the serenity of the Arizona desert on this exceptional 3.14-acre parcel in Rio Rico. Perched to capture breathtaking mountain views, this property promises privacy and a picturesque backdrop of vibrant desert flora and fauna. Imagine building your custom home here, where every window frames a masterpiece of nature.

This property is only $9,000. With it being only a short drive from Vail, you could buy this land for a host of possibilities, from building your retirement home away from the city growth to building your new Airbnb. Reply to this email for seller contact information.

Address: 1041 Lavista Ct Rio Rico, AZ 85648
APN: 115-05-107
Acreage: 3.14
Legal Description: Sub Rio Rico Estates Unit No. 6, Lot 107 of BLK 51

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From Hersheyland

Sunrise: 6:49 AM

Sunset: 6:20 PM

Air Quality: Fair (23 AQI) with a Red Flag warning this afternoon

Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous (95.3%)

Publisher, Arizona Trail Mix
Southern Arizona's Unofficial Hype Woman