From military brat to published author, Leigh Madrid has found her creative home in Oro Valley’s desert landscape, transforming local mining towns like Tombstone and Bisbee into the supernatural setting for her debut novel. Join us as she discusses her journey to publication, the supportive community of Tucson Author Alliance writers who meet right here in Oro Valley, and how she’s bringing “deserty fantasy” to the literary world with My Lips, Her Voice, launching October 14th at Stacks Book Club.
Bringing Desert Magic to the Literary World
When Leigh Madrid—who writes under the pen name L.L. Madrid—moved to Oro Valley as a high school student 25 years ago, she never imagined the desert landscape that initially baffled her would one day inspire her debut novel. Now, as she prepares for the October 14th launch of My Lips, Her Voice at Stacks Book Club, this military brat turned Arizona author is proving that sometimes the most unexpected places become home—and the wellspring for creative inspiration.
“At first, I was baffled by the desert, but I just fell in love, and I love the plants and the vegetation and the creatures we have. It’s unlike any other place I’ve ever lived,” Madrid reflects. That love affair with the Sonoran Desert has become the foundation for her writing, creating what she calls “deserty fantasy”—a refreshing departure from the typical forest and mountain settings of most speculative fiction.
From Military Brat to Desert Dweller
L.L. Madrid
Madrid’s journey to Oro Valley began in childhood as her military family moved frequently across the country. When they finally settled in Arizona during her high school years, she discovered something she’d never had before: a place to call home. “Growing up, I was a military brat, so I lived all over, and this is where we ended up,” she explains. The stability of Oro Valley allowed her to put down roots, complete her education, and eventually start a family of her own.
Today, Madrid shares her creative workspace with her 13-year-old daughter, who is developing her artistic talents. “She’s very talented with art, and we share an office where I have my little desk in the corner, and she has her drawing table. She’ll often come in and draw while I write,” Madrid says. This mother-daughter creative partnership has become more than just shared space—it’s a bonding experience that demonstrates the value of persistence and hard work.
Crafting Copper City
Madrid’s debut novel, My Lips, Her Voice, is set in the fictional town of Copper City, a creation inspired by her drives through Arizona’s historic mining towns. “I was inspired by the local small towns around here, when on a drive through Tombstone and Bisbee, I just kind of combined them in my mind to make up a place of my own called Copper City,” she explains with a laugh, adding, “so I wouldn’t get sued.”
The 350-page supernatural murder mystery follows two very different girls—one determined to keep her life, the other raging against her stolen future after being murdered and possessing her cousin. It’s a possession murder mystery that weaves together elements of true crime culture, dark tourism, friendship, and hope. “You don’t see a lot of “deserty” horror novels or speculative fiction. Usually, we have the forests and the spookier settings,” Madrid notes, explaining her motivation to bring the unique beauty and mystery of the Sonoran Desert to the literary world.
The Writing Journey
Madrid’s path to publication began about 20 years ago when she discovered NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), where participants attempt to write a novel in 30 days. “I heard about NaNoWriMo, and that appealed to me and sounded fun. I wrote a very terrible first novel we don’t talk about, but that’s how you learn how to write,” she admits with characteristic humor.
Her writing process is methodical and disciplined. She prefers to outline and plot, then “write my first draft fast and messy,” resisting the urge to edit as she goes. “After I have that disastrous draft that no one ever sees, I go back through my notes, and then I start making it pretty, taking things out, adding things in, seeing what works and what doesn’t.”
The road to publication proved challenging, requiring persistence that would have discouraged many aspiring authors. Madrid recalls learning about Stephen King’s famous railroad spike—where he impaled his rejection letters until the spike was full before getting his first book published. “That’s either a warning sign to don’t go into writing, or it’s inspiration to keep trying, depending on your mindset,” she reflects.
Community and Collaboration
One of Madrid’s most significant discoveries has been the supportive community of local authors through the Tucson Author Alliance, which has a strong presence in Oro Valley. The group often meets at local venues like Tap and Bottle, where writers “just hang out and swap ideas.” The alliance serves a practical purpose beyond camaraderie—helping authors share the costs of book festivals and promotional events while supporting each other’s work.
“Being an author and going to events can be a lot out of pocket to get a table, and if you have a publisher, most aren’t able to pay the whole bill, or if you’re a self-published author, those costs can get prohibitive,” Madrid explains. “So, what they do is they join forces and help promote each other.”
Madrid chose to work with Creature Publishing, a smaller press that specializes in horror and speculative fiction, rather than self-publishing. “I give self-published authors a lot of credit, because it’s so much extra work,” she says. “You have to not only write, craft, and edit, but you have to learn things like how to set the margins of your book and get an ISBN and figure out all this business stuff.”
Looking Forward
While My Lips, Her Voice marks her debut, Madrid is already deep into future projects. She has a second book currently in submission with publishers—a science fiction novel—and is working on a third book set in the same universe as her debut, though taking place centuries earlier. “I really loved the setting, and I’ve gotten a lot of good feedback about it,” she says of her decision to return to Copper City.
When asked what keeps her motivated through the inevitable challenges of the publishing world, Madrid’s answer is simple: “Even if no one is ever going to read another word I write, I’d maybe move on to just journaling or something. I need that outlet. I’ve got a lot of excess things floating around in my brain that need to get out somehow.”
The Book Launch and Beyond
My Lips, Her Voice
My Lips, Her Voice will be officially launched at Stacks Book Club on October 14, where Madrid will participate in an in-conversation event with another author, discussing literature and her debut novel. The book will be available at Stacks and through all major online retailers.
For Madrid, the launch represents more than just a professional milestone—it’s a celebration of community, persistence, and the magic that can happen when someone finds their perfect place to create. “I’m really excited about the community here,” she says. “We live in a wonderful place.”
As for her readers, Madrid wants them to “feel hopeful” after finishing her book. “It tackles some dark subjects, but I wanted to leave the reader with a sense of hope.”
For aspiring writers or anyone interested in connecting with Madrid, she welcomes contact through her website at llmadridwrites.com. As she puts it, “Community is vital to me, especially in writing.”
Leigh Madrid’s debut novel, “My Lips, Her Voice,” will be launched at Stacks Book Club (7303 N Oracle Rd) on October 14. For more information about the event, visit stacksbookclub.com. The book will be available wherever books are sold.
