Tempe series offers aspiring writers a voice

The next J.K. Rowling or Stephen King could be discovered at the Tempe Public Library. In fact, the library could be their first publisher. Tempe Public Library and Arizona State University have teamed up to encourage local writers and give them voices. The library offers a variety of programs designed to polish writing skills and help people share stories. Among the offerings: Writing Family History series — Teaches ways to turn favorite family memories into compelling stories that everyone loves to read. The workshop, led by ASU’s Dr. Duane Roen, meets at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18. Writers on Writing — This series is guided by local authors who share helpful hints on writing, publishing and getting started. Authors also discuss their latest books and sign them. The next installment features Comics Waiting Room founder Marc Mason on the topic of graphic novels and takes place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28. Writers Connection — A dropin writing group, the workshop brings together writers of all levels share their writing, discuss techniques and to help each other. The library hosts this gathering four times monthly. Writers are encouraged to come whenever they like without the pressure of a regular commitment. Many writers use the group as an opportunity to refine their writing prior to sending it to potential publishers. Others say they like the audience for sharing. Tempe Community Writing Contest — As an ultimate incentive, Tempe Public Library and ASU are sponsoring a community writing competition. Winners will be published in a book that will be available online as well as on library bookshelves. Librarian Jill Brenner is one of the team members who has been actively involved in the program’s creation and management. She, along with librarian Rolf Brown, also oversees the writing programs at the library. Says Brenner: “Books are such an important part of a library, and we need people to write them.” Winning authors will be invited to read from their submissions and will receive a copy of the book containing their entry, “The Tempe Writer’s Forum, Vol. 1.” An authors’ reception is open to the public. Addressing reaction to the competition and how it was born, Library Manager Tracy Gray said reading tends to spawn writers. “Often, people who love to read love to write. This contest is one more way to acknowledge and encourage writers in our community,” Deadline to enter is Sunday, Feb. 15. Tempe Public Library cardholders, Tempe residents and ASU students may participate. Anyone who lives in Maricopa County is eligible to receive a Tempe Public Library card. The contest includes three types of writing categories — poetry, fiction and nonfiction — and three categories of authors— high school students, college students and adults not attending school. So far, about 50 online entries have been received for the contest, said Brenner. Mayor Mark Mitchell says he supports the program because of its positive effects on Tempe. “Tempe’s creative spirit influences every aspect of this community,” he said. “It’s enabled our city to be one of the most forward-thinking cities in America. Contests such as these encourage the kind of innovation that our city values. “Good luck to all who enter.” Visit www.tempe.gov/library to enter the contest. — Kris Baxter-Ging