When your book is finished, it’s time to share it with the world.

In this workshop, Bethany Neal and Alex Kourvo will discuss beta readers, agents, editors, and the best way to approach them.

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 (this month on Thursday, March 17 from 7 – 8:45 pm at Traverwood Branch), there is a Meet-Up where the instructors will read samples of your work and offer advice and assistance in a casual, supportive atmosphere.

Have you ever read a book and wondered how the author wrote it? There are valuable writing lessons to be learned from reading our favorite books.

In this workshop, Alex Kourvo and Bethany Neal will share the secrets of reading like a writer. They will show you how to look into character and unravel plot to see a book from the inside out.

This is part of the monthly Emerging Writer’s 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.

There are many things that keep us from writing, whether it’s outside forces like jobs and families, or internal forces like doubt and procrastination.

In this workshop, Alex Kourvo and Bethany Neal will show you how to make the most of your writing time, conquer writer’s block, and develop solid work habits to finish your book.

This is part of the monthly Emerging Writer’s 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.

Huron High School English teacher and Love & Vodka:My Surreal Adventures in Ukraine author R.J. Fox will lead participants through the process of turning real life experiences—both profound and ordinary—into the art of creative non-fiction.

Learn how to mold your own life stories through such topics as story structure, dialogue, character development/arc, and how to infuse your writing with literary elements traditionally associated with fiction. Participants will apply the skills taught during the workshop through various prompts and activities designed to spark creativity, with the aim of mining material that can later be developed into various forms of memoir and creative non-fiction, from short essays to long-form works.

R.J. Fox is the award-winning writer of several short stories, plays, poems, and fifteen feature-length screenplays. He is also the writer and director of several award-winning short films. In addition his writing and film-making exploits — not to mention his talents as a saxophonist — Fox teaches English and Video Production in the Ann Arbor Public Schools where he uses his own dream of making movies to inspire his students to follow their own dreams. Fox has also worked in public relations at Ford Motor Company and as a newspaper reporter.

This event includes a book signing and books will be for sale at the event.

If you participated in the "Write On!" Short Story Contest for Grades 3-5 this year, or want to support those who did, join us for the final awards celebration! Jean Alicia Elster, author of The Colored Car, will present her advice for young writers, we'll announce the winners, and all may enjoy light refreshments.

Entries will be accepted from January 25 - February 12. For more information about the contest and for the complete guidelines please visit the contest website!

Calling all writers! Get into the groove of writing in a quiet space with lots of outlets to plug in a laptop! Whether you're working on a novel as part of National Novel Writing Month or something else, all are welcome.

Calling all writers! Get into the groove of writing in a quiet space with lots of outlets to plug in a laptop! Whether you're working on a novel as part of National Novel Writing Month or something else, all are welcome.

Join Ruth McNally Barshaw, author of the popular Ellie McDoodle Diaries, for a hands-on workshop on how to make your own Ellie McDoodle or Diary of a Wimpy Kid-style illustrated book!

Copies of Ruth's books will be for sale courtesy of Literati Bookstore.

Learn the art of story creation, draw characters, and brainstorm settings, story problems, friends and enemies with Ruth McNally Barshaw, author of the popular Ellie McDoodle Diaries book series!

Books will be for sale courtesy of Literati Bookstore

Calling all writers! Whether you participated in this year's National Novel Writing Month or you just love to write, come hear a published author's take on revising your work and getting published.

Local author Karen Simpson will offer tips and tricks on revising your written work and how to get published. This program is associated with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and all aspiring authors are welcome!

Simpson's 2011 novel Act of Grace is inspired by an incident that happened almost 15 years ago at a Klan rally in Ann Arbor. She will also discuss the Ann Arbor incident that resulted in her creation of her award-winning first novel. This event includes a book signing and books will be for sale courtesy of Bookbound Bookstore.