Vered Mares

I was born to non-traditional parents in an upside down world and raised by a very large village. My parents were poets, writers, musicians, and therapists, but mostly, they were travelers curious about the world we live in. As a child, I explored the high deserts of northern New Mexico at Ghost Ranch, while my father taught poetry and writing workshops. My mother, a therapist, and stepmother, a prolific writer were the two most inspirational women in my life. I was often fortunate enough to travel with them. Travel and books were my escapes during times of great change within my family. I paid for art school by bartending and managing a bar in Idaho. I worked construction jobs for a time and created large scale commercial art. I took up aviation and became a commercial pilot. My lust for new vectors took me to Alaska, where I rediscovered my craving for a place to talk about books and the weighty matters of the world with my neighbors over a glass of wine. School drew me back to writing, and my career turned toward editing and publishing. I started a boutique publishing house (VP&D House, Inc.), and worked as a book designer and editor. The Writer’s Block Bookstore & Cafe is the culmination of all my experiences–the place to set down my literary roots and be a part of my growing and changing community.