Samantha Mabry is a well-known Latino literature tutor and young adult (YA) author, who has a particular interest in narratives that blend the real and the fantastic. Born in Dallas, Mabry grew up playing bass guitar, writing fan letters to rock stars, doodling song lyrics, and reading large books. She has a deep connection with the west Texas desert and spends a significant amount of her time there.
Mabry's debut novel, "A Fierce and Subtle Poison," was published in 2016 by Algonquin Young Readers. The novel, which features a Puerto Rican setting, is a mystery instilled with magic. Her second novel, "All the Wind in the World," was published in 2017 and was nominated for a National Book Award. The story is set near Texas, in a dried-out city, and follows the lives of two lovers, James and Sarah Jack, who work as maguey harvesters. One day, an accident leads them into danger and onto a cursed ranch, putting their lives in peril.
In addition to "A Fierce and Subtle Poison" and "All the Wind in the World," Mabry is also the author of "Tigers, Not Daughters," which was published in 2020. She is currently working on her next novel, "Clever Creatures of the Night." Mabry and her family divide their time between Dallas and Mineral Wells, TX.