This workshop invites participants to explore the narratives that shape their identities and the expectations placed upon them by family, society, and personal history. Through creative writing exercises and discussion, attendees will gain insights into the stories they've been told about themselves, the stories they tell, and most critically, the stories they want to tell. This workshop aims to:

In this interactive session, publishing expert Brandi Larsen will answer your questions about how the book business works. Driven by the audience’s interests, she’ll share insider stories from the center of the publishing industry and her best strategies on how you can be a part of it.

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Create found poetry by blacking out chunks of text from documents in the AADL archives. You'll flex your creative muscles and learn local history, too!

The key to being a writer is to WRITE! Hear about the writing journey of author Kelly J. Baptist, then dive write into some creative exercises to get the inspiration flowing.

The library debuted our publishing imprint, Fifth Avenue Press, in 2017. With the release of nine new books in 2023, the press has now published 50 titles for all ages! If you are curious about Fifth Avenue Press and how it works, or if you're considering submitting a manuscript, join us to get answers to all of your questions! Authors published by the press will also be on hand to talk about the process from their perspective.

In this 90 minute workshop, award winning spoken word poet, Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey, will teach the basic history of spoken word, the common practices, and provide examples and prompts to get everyone writing.

Transgender Day of Visibility is on March 31st, and we are making a zine full of art and writing to celebrate! Come to the library to make art and/or writing to submit for the AADL TDoV '24 Zine. We'll supply the paper and tools, and will have art from previous years' zines projected on a screen in case you need an idea of what to do. You don't have to make art at this event to submit a piece to the zine, but if you don't have the art supplies to make what you want - come to the library!

Conduct some hands-on experimentation with words, sounds, technology, and images to produce your own unique poems. We'll have stations where you can create electrified blackout poetry, Dadaist cutups, concrete poetry, and more.

Pocket notebooks are a great distraction-free tool to capture things you want to remember. They can contain everything from to-do lists to travelogues to creative projects. Learn about the whys and hows of keeping a pocket notebook and leave with tools and inspiration to start on your journey. Stationery nerds: feel free to bring your notebooks, stickers, stamps, and other accessories to show off or swap!

Join writer and publishing expert Brandi Larsen to understand the ins and outs of book publishing, from how books go from ideas to manuscripts to bestsellers and how your work can fit into the publishing process. Talk will focus on adult books from the biggest publishing companies and some aspects of self-publishing. If your friends and family have said, "That's a book!", this entertaining and inspiring talk is for you.