In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tomas Moniz, an award-winning latinx writer. His latest novel, The King of Aloe Vera, will be published by Algonquin in September. Here’s a description of the book:
An elderly man has just a month to leave his home. A young woman from his neighborhood is soon to be unhoused. Slowly but surely, the two form an unlikely yet transformational friendship in this warm and funny novel about love and community.
Rey, a widower of 10 years, has lived on the same block in San Francisco’s Mission District for most of his life. He has watched his city transform as he becomes ever more set in his ways. Now he spends most of his time volunteering at the library, where he is determined to educate everyone who comes through the library doors and where his co-workers tolerate him though secretly hoping he’ll retire. It’s at the library where he meets Q, on probation, post breakup with her girlfriend and dealing with a troubled family, who keeps littering cigarette butts on the steps. As Rey tries to decide what to do with the rest of his days, literally counting them off and cutting his remaining ties, Q begins to insert herself into his world in a way that he can’t deny.
With a story about Latinx identity, intergenerational friendship, and chosen family, set over the course of a month, Tomas Moniz takes us on a journey through senior dance classes, illegal bike trips over the Bay Bridge, and fair housing rallies. And as the days tick down, Rey and Q find themselves leaning on each other for answers on how to find community and purpose, make amends, and process grief. Equally funny and tender, The King of Aloe Vera delights in how we choose to live, and live out, our lives.
We spoke about the role the San Francisco Bay Area plays in his writing, the Bay Area literary scene, the importance of editing and revision, teaching writing, The King of Aloe Vera, and much, much more.
Here’s Tomas’ bio:
TOMAS MONIZ is a latinx writer living in East Oakland, CA. His debut novel, Big Familia, was a finalist for the 2020 PEN/ Hemingway and the LAMBDA. His second novel, All Friends Are Necessary, won the 2024 California Golden Poppy Award. His new novel, The King of Aloe Vera, will be published on September 29th, 2026 from Algonquin Books. He edited the popular Rad Dad and Rad Families anthologies, and he teaches at Berkeley City College, the Antioch MFA, and St Mary’s College USF. He has stuff on the internet but loves penpals: PO Box 3555, Berkeley CA 94703. He promises to write back.
Learn more about Tomas at www.tomasmoniz.com
Sound credits:
Political (loop) by AudioCoffee -- https://freesound.org/s/718891/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
bart train arriving.wav by SFindigo -- https://freesound.org/s/17489/ -- License: Sampling+
