The Ann Arbor District Library is excited to host its 31st annual “It’s All Write!” Teen Writing Contest in Winter 2023! Young Adult authors take part as judges each year, who then read and select the winning stories. Short stories, flash fiction and poems are judged in three different categories: Grades 6-8, Grades 9 & 10, and Grades 11 & 12. The top three writers in each age group receive fabulous prizes. This is an ever-growing, state-wide contest.

Kids in grades 3-5 can also enter AADL's Write On! short story writing contest, which will take place in January and February of 2023.

How to Enter the Contest:

The 2023 It's All Write Teen Writing Contest will accept submissions January 9-March 5, 2023. Please note that the 2023 contest is open to Michigan residents only.

The submission form links will become available on this site when the contest opens.

Click here for more information about the 2023 contest!

Come with questions, a work in progress, or an empty notebook. All writers are welcome in this casual, supportive environment. Authors Bethany Neal and Alex Kourvo will be on hand to answer questions and give encouragement. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow Ann Arbor writers as well as get feedback from published authors.

This is a monthly meet-up that welcomes all writers to ask questions, connect with other writers, or simply have a dedicated time and place to work on their projects.

Do you have a completed manuscript? Consider submitting it to the library’s new imprint, Fifth Avenue Press: fifthavenue.press..

Come with questions, a work in progress, or an empty notebook. All writers are welcome in this casual, supportive environment. Authors Bethany Nealand Alex Kourvowill be on hand to answer questions and give encouragement. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow Ann Arbor writers as well as get feedback from published authors.

This is a monthly meet-up that welcomes all writers to ask questions, connect with other writers, or simply have a dedicated time and place to work on their projects.

Do you have a completed manuscript? Consider submitting it to the library’s new imprint, Fifth Avenue Press: fifthavenue.press.

Come with questions, a work in progress, or an empty notebook. All writers are welcome in this casual, supportive environment. Authors Bethany Neal and Alex Kourvo will be on hand to answer questions and give encouragement. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow Ann Arbor writers as well as get feedback from published authors.

This is a monthly meet-up that welcomes all writers to ask questions, connect with other writers, or simply have a dedicated time and place to work on their projects.

Do you have a completed manuscript? Consider submitting it to the library’s new imprint, Fifth Avenue Press: Fifth Avenue Press.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, this event featuring Jon Glaser has been cancelled.

We apologize for any inconvenience, and hope to reschedule the event at a future date TBD.

Did you ever read a book and wonder how the author wrote it? There are valuable writing lessons to be learned from reading our favorite novels, memoirs, and nonfiction books. In this workshop, Alex Kourvoand Bethany Nealwill share the secrets of reading like a writer by looking into character, decoding plot, and understanding why writers make the choices they do.

This is part of the monthly Emerging Writers Workshops, which offer support, learning, and advice for local authors. Each month, two weeks after the workshop, there is a meet-up where the instructors will read samples of your work and offer advice and assistance in a casual, supportive atmosphere. Do you have a completed manuscript? Consider submitting it to the library's imprint Fifth Avenue Press: Fifth Avenue Press.

Getting an idea for a book is only the start. How do you develop that idea into something compelling enough to carry an entire novel, memoir, or nonfiction book? In this workshop, Alex Kourvo and Bethany Neal will discuss growing an idea, understanding genre, and the best way to make your book stand out from the others on the shelf.

This is part of the monthly Emerging Writers Workshops, which offer support, learning, and advice for local authors. Each month, two weeks after the workshop, there is a meet-up where the instructors will read samples of your work and offer advice and assistance in a casual, supportive atmosphere. Do you have a completed manuscript? Consider submitting it to the library's imprint Fifth Avenue Press: Fifth Avenue Press.

The Ann Arbor District Library is pleased to announce the release of nine literary works under our new Fifth Avenue Press imprint. Join us to hear readings and meet our debut group of authors, buy their books, get them signed, and enjoy light refreshments!

Our local authors have something to offer for just about every reader. For younger children, we're releasing two picture books and an Ann Arbor-based comic for all ages; for adults, we're publishing a book of poetry, two memoirs, a murder mystery, and a collection of humorous and historical Ann Arbor stories!

Technical Solace: a book of poetry, by Rebecca G. Biber
Ginger Stands Her Ground: a memoir, by Virginia Ford
Tales From the Dork Side: a memoir, by R.J. Fox
Michigan Moon: a picture book, by Meg Gower
Takedown: a murder mystery, by Jeff Kass
Chad Agamemnon: a comic book set in Ann Arbor, by Carolyn Nowak
The Book of Ann Arbor: An Extremely Serious History Book, by Rich Retyi
A Monster on Main Street: a picture book set in Ann Arbor, by Emily Siwek
Light From the Cage: 25 Years in a Prison Classroom, by Judy Patterson Wenzel

Plus, author Debbie Taylor will offer a sneak peek into her forthcoming 2018 Fifth Avenue Press picture book: Over in Motown!

For more information about Fifth Avenue Press or to submit your work visit fifthavenue.press.

Calling all writers! Whether you participated in this year's National Novel Writing Month or you just love to write, join Natalie Bakopoulos for a presentation and discussion on revising your work.

Natalie Bakopoulos teaches creative writing at Wayne State University and is the author of The Green Shore.

This program is associated with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and all aspiring authors are welcome!