Vered Mares is co-owner of the year-old Writer's Block Bookstore & Cafe in the heart of Spenard. Born to nontraditional parents who were writers, musicians, and therapists, she explored the high deserts of northern New Mexico as a child and developed a love of travel. She paid to attend art school by managing a bar in Idaho and later created large-scale commercial art. She took up aviation and became a commercial pilot. She ventured to Alaska, returned to school and launched a boutique publishing house, working as a book designer and editor. She considers the Writer's Block Bookstore & Café the culmination of all her life experiences.