Fiction Writing Communities in Tucson, Arizona
Find active fiction writing groups, venues, and literary events in Tucson, Arizona. Connect with local writers and grow your craft.
Writer-Friendly Venues in Tucson
Raging Sage Coffee
Downtown and multiple locations
A beloved local chain with multiple locations, perfect for writers who need consistency. The downtown location has a particularly creative vibe with local art on the walls and a mix of students, professionals, and artists. Large communal tables and cozy corners provide options for different writing moods.
Pima County Public Library - Main Branch
Downtown, 101 N Stone Ave
The flagship library offers dedicated quiet study rooms and a beautiful reading garden. The Southwest collection provides local inspiration, and the building's architecture creates inspiring spaces. Multiple floors offer different noise levels, from silent study areas to collaborative spaces.
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Multiple locations - Speedway, Grant, Ina Road
This iconic Tucson bookstore chain offers extensive seating areas surrounded by towering shelves of used books. The literary atmosphere is unmatched, with the scent of books and the quiet rustle of pages turning. Many local writers consider it a sacred space for inspiration and research.
The Loft Cinema Cafe
3233 E Speedway Blvd
This art house cinema features a cozy cafe area that's perfect for writing during daytime hours. The film-focused atmosphere attracts creative types, and the space has a distinctly artistic vibe with movie posters and indie film culture permeating the environment.
Cartel Coffee Lab
Multiple locations including University area
A specialty coffee roaster with locations that attract serious coffee drinkers and laptop workers. The minimalist, industrial design creates a focused environment, and the exceptional coffee keeps writers caffeinated and motivated. Popular with university students and professionals.
Tohono Chul Park
7366 N Paseo del Norte, Northwest Tucson
This 49-acre desert botanical garden offers peaceful outdoor writing spots among native plants and wildlife. The park features shaded ramadas, benches with desert views, and a tea room for indoor writing. The natural beauty provides endless inspiration for descriptive writing.
Cafe Passe
4310 N Campbell Ave, Midtown
A European-style cafe in a converted house with multiple rooms offering different atmospheres. The outdoor patio is particularly popular with writers, surrounded by lush gardens. The intimate setting and excellent coffee create a perfect writing retreat away from chain coffee shops.
Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
2021 N Kinney Rd, West Tucson
While primarily a museum and zoo, the outdoor spaces and indoor exhibits provide incredible inspiration for writers, especially those working on nature writing or seeking unique settings. The combination of desert landscapes, wildlife, and educational exhibits sparks creativity.
Bentley's House of Coffee & Tea
1730 E Speedway Blvd, Central Tucson
A longtime local favorite with a loyal following of writers and students. The eclectic decor, comfortable mismatched furniture, and relaxed atmosphere make it feel like writing in a friend's living room. Known for welcoming laptop users and long-term occupancy.
The Poetry Center at University of Arizona
1508 E Helen St, University area
Home to one of the largest poetry collections in the US, this specialized library offers a unique environment for writers. While focused on poetry, it welcomes all writers and provides a deeply literary atmosphere that's hard to find elsewhere. The reading room is particularly inspiring.
Tucson's Vibrant Writing Community: A Guide for Fiction Writers
Sample Writing Groups:
Desert Scribes Fiction Circle
Himmel Park Library Community Room
Second Saturday monthly, 10 AM - 12 PM
Literary and contemporary fiction critique group
How to find: Pima County Library website events calendar, Meetup.com
Tucson Mystery Writers Guild
Mostly Books back room
First Thursday monthly, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Mystery, thriller, and crime fiction
How to find: Facebook group 'Tucson Mystery Writers', bookstore bulletin board
Saguaro Speculative Fiction Society
Rotating coffee shops (currently at Raging Sage)
Every other Wednesday, 7 PM - 9 PM
Science fiction, fantasy, and horror
How to find: Meetup.com, Facebook, flyers at local comic shops
Foothills Fiction Workshop
Oro Valley Library
Third Sunday monthly, 2 PM - 4 PM
All fiction genres, beginner-friendly
How to find: Library website, Nextdoor app, local Facebook community groups
UA Extended Writers Circle
University of Arizona Extended Campus
Weekly Tuesdays, 6 PM - 8 PM
Serious fiction writers seeking publication
How to find: UA Continuing Education website, referrals from other writing groups
Writing Events & Workshops
Tucson hosts various writing-related events throughout the year, including workshops, author readings, and literary festivals. Check local libraries, universities, and bookstores for upcoming events and recurring programs.
Local Writing Resources
Independent Bookstores
Mostly Books
Long-standing independent bookstore that regularly hosts author readings and book signings, with strong support for local writers and Arizona authors.
Bookmans Entertainment Exchange
Local chain with multiple Tucson locations offering new and used books, frequent author events, and opportunities for local authors to sell their work.
Casa Grande Trading Post, Rare Books & Cafe
Unique bookstore and cafe combination that features rare books and provides intimate venue space for literary events and author readings.
Libraries
Tucson-Pima Public Library Main Branch
Extensive fiction collection with dedicated writer resources, computer access, meeting rooms for writing groups, and regular literary programming.
University of Arizona Poetry Center
Specialized library with one of the largest poetry collections in the US, also housing significant contemporary fiction archives and hosting readings.
Literary Publications
Sonora Review
University of Arizona's graduate student-run literary magazine publishing fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, accepting submissions from emerging writers.
Desert Exposure
Regional publication covering southern New Mexico and Arizona, featuring local authors and accepting fiction submissions.
Writing Organizations
Tucson Festival of Books
Annual literary festival organization that provides year-round programming, workshops, and networking opportunities for local writers.
Arizona Authors Association
Statewide organization with active Tucson members offering workshops, critique groups, and publishing guidance for fiction writers.
University Programs
University of Arizona Creative Writing Program
Offers community workshops, continuing education classes, and public readings through their MFA program, welcoming non-degree seeking participants.
Practical Information for Writers
Tucson's Literary Heritage
Notable Authors
Barbara Kingsolver
Pulitzer Prize-winning author who lived in Tucson for many years, writing novels like 'The Bean Trees' and 'Animal Dreams' that capture Southwestern landscapes and culture
Richard Shelton
Poet laureate of Arizona, longtime University of Arizona professor who founded the prison creative writing program and celebrated desert landscapes in his poetry
Leslie Marmon Silko
Native American author whose novel 'Ceremony' is considered a masterpiece of contemporary literature, incorporating Southwestern desert settings
Charles Bowden
Journalist and author who wrote extensively about the borderlands, desert ecology, and social issues of the Southwest
Literary Landmarks
University of Arizona Poetry Center
Renowned poetry archive and reading venue, one of the largest poetry collections in the world
Hotel Congress
Historic venue that has hosted numerous literary events and readings, part of Tucson's cultural fabric
Tucson Festival of Books
Annual celebration bringing together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts from across the Southwest
Inspiring Quotes
"The desert is a natural extension of the inner silence of the body."
— Jean Baudrillard
"Tucson is a place where the desert teaches you to see."
— Richard Shelton
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