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Today’s Cup o’ Tea: Caffeine Cauldron, Mesa, AZ

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Caffeine Cauldron is a little pop culture shop brewing up delicious witchy/booky/nerdy-named drinks in Mesa, Arizona’s Superstition Springs Mall food court. You’ll find it tucked into a corner near the carousel.

Perks (what I really like!)
With the tagline, “A Cafe For Fans of Fantasy, Whimsy, and All Things Magical,” its theme has a wiccan flair. but also includes fun Pokemon art, books, and other pop-culture references. I love the fun names on their wide range of “magical elixers.” Try a Mando Macchiato, a Espresso Patronum, or a Gandalf the White. Explore the full menu.

I found that the baristas are well-versed in all the types of drinks they serve and the long list of modifiers to make your coffee, loose tea brew, energy drink, or soda all your own.

Share a Cuppa (the stories about the owner, building, history, name)
This East Valley location in the Superstition Springs Mall is the only Caffeine Cauldron in the Phoenix area. The original locations started in Tucson, AZ, where there are two mall locations.

What’s Brewing (coffee, tea, food)
The cozy shop offers standard coffee fare along with loose teas, energy drinks, and dirty sodas with a wide variety of “modifiers,” syrups, and milks. A sweet little pastry case presents a delectable selection of local baked goods.
A favorite draw is the morning “Brew and Bite Bundle:” a choice of a pastry, breakfast sandwich, or bagel plus a 16-oz latte or brewed tea for $9.

Percolation Factor (the activity/environment/energy/service)
From the website:
“At Caffeine Cauldron, we are on a mission to create a unique and welcoming destination for the community, a haven where the love for Pop Culture, Books, Poetry, and Games converge over the perfect cup of coffee. 
We genuinely care about providing a safe and comfortable space for everyone to indulge in their passions, whether it’s delving into a thrilling novel, engaging in epic tabletop battles, or simply savoring a delightful specialty drink crafted with love. Our dedicated and nerd-centric staff will ensure that every visitor feels right at home, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.”

The Grind (what I would change)
If only there could be more seating within the white picket fence that defines their space in the mall. Of course, the general food court seating is just a few steps away but the shop’s ambience is lost there.

The Grounds (location)
Superstition Springs Mall food court, level 2
6555 E Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ 85206
480.832.0212 or 520.833.3268

Tea Times (hours)
Mon–Sat 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sun 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Yelp rating: _NA_stars from _NA_ reviews

How to Choose a Trustworthy Publisher

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Thanks to TW Robinson.

Stay away from “publishers” who want to charge you for publishing. If they ask you for a fee at any time, at any point, for any reason, you are being conned. There are no exceptions.

HERE’S HOW VANITY AND HYBRID PUBLISHERS WORK…

They charge authors to publish their books. 

They make money from authors.

• They don’t make money from book sales.

• Anyone can be published that pays them money.

• There are no standards that are upheld.

• No story is too boring, bad, or horribly written for them. 

• Book sales are irrelevant to them.

• The author and vanity publisher split profits.

• The majority of royalties are usually split 50/50.

• The vanity publisher usually wants the rights to the book.

HERE’S HOW TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS WORK…

• They pay the author.

• An author is never asked for a fee, ever.

• They make money from book sales, not the author.

• Very few authors are chosen.

• They have high standards.

• The story must be approved and marketable. 

• Book sales are what keeps them in business.

• The author and publisher split profits.

• The majority of royalties usually goes to the publisher.

• The publisher wants the rights to the book.

HERE’S HOW SELF-PUBLISHING WORKS…

• The author writes the book.

• The author edits or hires his/her own editor.

• The author formats his/her book or hires someone to do it.

• The author makes a cover or hires a cover designer.

• The author publishes the book themselves. 

• The author markets the book themselves.

• The author keeps all the profits. 

• The author keeps all the rights. 

HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS…

These authors have made over a million dollars:

• Catharina Maura – The Temporary Wife 

• Amanda Hocking – Switched

• Hugh Howey – WOOL

• Sarra Cannon – Beautiful Demons

• Alessandra Torre – The Ghost Writer

HERE’S EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED BOOKS…

These authors have made over a million dollars:

• Suzanne Collins – The Hunger Games

• Stephen King – The Shining

• Danielle Steel – High Stakes

• John Grisham – The Firm

• Anne Rice – Interview with the Vampire

HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF VANITY PUBLISHED BOOKS…

• Five authors you’ve never heard of.

• Five books you’ve never heard of.

• None made significant money at all.