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! Winners will be announced and Michigan author Mark Crilley, known for the Miki Falls and Akiko series, will present his advice for young writers. We will also provide light refreshments.

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

Entries will be accepted from January 16 - February 3. For more information about the contest and for the complete guidelines please visit the contest website!

Discover and work with the Irish Insular alphabet using a broad edge writing tool.

This alphabet is called a majuscule alphabet (letters stay within the upper writing and lower writing lines), but since it was developed from a half-uncial alphabet (roman half-uncial) it does have some of the letters descending below or ascending above the writing lines. Historically, it was used primarily in Ireland, adapted by the followers of St. Patrick.

No previous calligraphy experience is needed.

Join us for this introduction to the Versal alphabet. These letterforms were used as capitals for many types of old manuscripts and today are used for posters, signs, and artist books.

We will use pencils to draw the letters and begin to fill them in. You will be able to fill the Versals with drawings of your choice using colored pencils. Rocks, plants, flowers, or mythical animals can all be used.

No previous calligraphy experience is necessary.

Join us for the first annual Teen Writing Festival, featuring a workshop coordinated with the Neutral Zone, a Q & A panel with YA authors, and an awards ceremony for the "It's All Write!" Teen Writing Contest!

Check out http://www.aadl.org/events/itsallwrite for more details.

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.

Writing is a solitary activity, but sooner or later, an author has to talk to other people. Whether meeting readers in a bookstore or a conference, or hanging out with fans (or potential fans) on social media, its important for writers to make a good impression. In this workshop, Alex Kourvo and Bethany Neal will share some memorable interactions with other authors, admit their own mistakes, and show you the best practices for navigating the world of writers and readers.

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: 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? Bring your work to a meet-up to be in consideration for the library’s new imprint, Fifth Avenue Press: fifthavenue.press.

There’s a world of children’s books beyond picture books and easy stories. Kids also read nonfiction on every topic you can think of. In this workshop, Bethany Neal and Alex Kourvo will be joined by author Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan, who has published numerous children’s books on everything from extreme mountain biking to how to start a dog-walking business. Virginia will share tips and tricks for writing the things kids want to know.

Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagan lives and works in San Diego, CA where she directs the Liberal Studies program at San Diego State University. She writes for the Ann Arbor-based children's non-fiction company Cherry Lake Publishing. The library also has a unique deal with Cherry Lake and our library card holders have access to digital PDF copies of their books.

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: fifthavenue.press.

In our fast-paced world, finding time and space to write isn’t easy. Nor is it easy to conquer writer’s block, self-doubt, and distractions. In this workshop, Bethany Neal and Alex Kourvo will show you how to set up a realistic writing schedule, smash through blocks, and kick self-defeating behaviors to the curb. No matter your obstacles, it is possible to have a balanced, fulfilling writer’s life!

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 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? Bring your work to a meet-up to be in consideration for the library’s new imprint, Fifth Avenue Press: fifthavenue.press.