Young adults who have author aspirations should consider checking out a writers workshop planned for this weekend at Mentor Public Library. Below, the news release with more information:

Photo Courtesy of Tess Smith Photography

MENTOR, Ohio… Teens who like to write will have a special opportunity this Saturday, Feb. 1, at Mentor Public Library.
Rachele Alpine—the author of the Young Adult novel, Canary—will host a writers workshop especially for teens from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library’s Main Branch.
Everyone who registers for the workshop will also get a free copy of Canary. Alpine’s book tells the story of Kate Franklin, a teenage girl who is sexually assaulted by a popular student-athleteand then told by her father to keep it a secret.
Alpine said she wrote the book, in part, to encourage young people to tell their stories—whether through writing or other means.
“It is so important to get your story out and never have your voice silenced,” Alpine said. “No matter how hard it is, someone is going to listen. It’s through stories that people find understanding, strength and inspiration. We need to tell our stories because if we don’t, who will?"
Alpine will share her insights on writing and the path to publication with teens Saturday.
“We’ll be doing a variety of writing exercises to get their creative juice flowing and keep them writing well beyond the workshop,” Alpine said. “I’m also looking forward to talking with them about publishing, everything that goes into getting your book onto the shelves, and answering any questions they might have about writing.”
Alpine said the best writing advice she ever received was twofold: Read as much as you can and write every day.
“It doesn’t matter whether what you’re writing is good. You just want to get into the habit of creating new words each and every day,” she said.
Teens can register for Alpine’s writing workshop by calling the Mentor Public Library at 440-255-8811, ext. 215, or on the library’s website, www.mentorpl.org.
People can learn more about Alpine and her writing at www.rachelealpine.com.

Artist Dan Gorman is making an appearance at Comics and Friends (in Great Lakes Mall next to Macy's) this weekend. Check out more information straight from a news release:

Artist Dan Gorman will be back at Comics and Friends Saturday January 25th 2:00 – 7:00 PM. He will be here in support of the new comic series “Only Human the Awakening”. This landmark first issue was written by Joseph A. Michael and drawn by Dan.
Synopsis: It's been a year since the Super Plague outbreak. Hundreds of thousands were wiped out. The threat has been contained thanks to Pharma Industries' "Miracle Cure" ,but the cure came with a price. People aren't themselves anymore. Now, Pharma Industries and Nova Corp. have emerged as the world's largest conglomerates through strong-armed corporate takeovers and strategic opportunities. A modernized zombie threat now looms over humanity as a ruthless dictator,Gretta Reid, will stop at nothing until she achieves world domination. The fate of the world lies on the shoulders of our two unlikely heroes: a 12-year-old make-believe ninja Wesley, and a 28-year-old amateur detective Fisher.
Dan will have copies of the comic along with: prints, shirts, hats, books, variants, sketch covers, and sketch cards. For more info check out www.facebook.com/onlyhumancomic.

Congratulations to Betsy McMillan! The Fractured Anecdote blogger and member of The News-Herald's Community Media Lab has published her fifth non-fiction book.

As she described it via email:

"A Mystery in the Mailbox" is a true story about a simple idea, intended to help my cousin Joe McNeeley when he was in the end stages of terminal illness, and how that idea blossomed and grew into a project helping those with terminal and long-term illnesses across the country for more than 20 years. I’m coming out of the anonymity closet to share my tale, in the hope that others will be inspired to provide "A Mystery in the Mailbox" for someone who is in dire need of the type of help money can't buy.

"A Mystery in the Mailbox" is available on Amazon.

Twinsburg residen Lyn Phoenix will be signing her book at the Twinsburg Library this weekend. Details below from a news release:

Author Lyn Phoenix Book Signing EventWHEN: 2014-01-12TIME: 2:00 pmWHERE: Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Rd, Twinsburg, OH
WHAT: Phoenix, a resident of Twinsburg, OH, will be available to sign copies of her book, The Walk Home.“Thank you, Doctor, thank you very much. I know that you did all that you could for him and he did also.” Her voice was surprisingly calm after all that had transpired that day. As she handed the phone back to the nurse she thought of all the things they had been through since her husband’s diagnosis of colorectal cancer two and a half years ago. He was stage 4 when they found it in a routine colonoscopy. After major surgery to remove part of his colon, seven lymph nodes, and part of his liver, and eight rounds of various combinations of chemotherapy drugs, he lost the battle and died.
Vicky Raven is trying to move forward after her whole life has been shattered. Cancer has taken her husband, and time has taken her career and children. What is left for her but to rediscover who she is and what God has in store for her in the years she has left?
In this story of faith, courage, and tenacity, one woman must follow her heart and take The Walk Home. 

How cool is this kid? Twelve-year-old Aiden Shugert of Broadview Heights has not only published a collection of short stories, but now he is holding a workshop for children ages 8 to 14 who are interested in writing.

Check out this news release for more information:

BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, OH (December 16, 2013)- In 2013, twelve-year-old, Aiden Shugert, of Broadview Heights published his own collection of short stories, The Marvelous Misadventures of the Fab Five. Now he’s holding a writing workshop for his peers to encourage them to get their own story started. Aiden’s Writing Workshop will take place on January 12th at the Brecksville Community Center (located on 1 Community Drive Brecksville, OH 44141) from 2:00-4:00. The cost is $50 and all children ages 8-14 with an interest in writing are encouraged to attend. 
Aiden was 11-years-old when he accomplished his dream of becoming a published author. He always loved to write, but never knew what to do with his stories. He decided to pre-sell copies of his book to pay for the book production – a smart move, considering he pre-sold 29 copies of his book in 5 hours. Between the money from this pre-sale, and cash he earned shoveling cow manure on the farm, Aiden was able to make his dream come true, and publish his collection of short stories, The Marvelous Misadventures of the Fab Five.
After Aiden’s publishing dream came true, he decided to go a step further to inspire other like-minded peer writers with his writing workshop in January. “This workshop focuses on putting those ideas in your head onto paper in stories, while helping to build self-confidence and self-discipline,” said Shugert. “I know that writing has helped me in my day-to-day life and I want to help other kids to do the same.”
“We are very proud of Aiden for going after his dream and not only becoming a published writer, but now a public speaker and mentor to other kids his age,” said Katie Shugert, Aiden’s mom. “What started off as an idea, has began to blossom in an entrepreneurship dream for Aiden, it’s a lot of fun to see him grow.”

Burton author Karen Harden will be signing copies of her book in Chardon next week. Details from a news release:

Author Karen Harden Book Signing EventWHEN: 2014-01-11TIME: 1 pm – 3 pmWHERE: Beans, 121 Main St, Chardon, OH
WHAT: Harden, a resident of Burton, OH, will be available to sign copies of her book, Been There, Survived That.Imagine that feelings and emotions were there but never expressed. Words to some are just words, but to many they hold so much meaning. Many believe that words can never hurt us, but in truth they can. Words can also express such joy that we sometimes can't help but to express ourselves.
Who would we be without these feelings and emotions, and why is it so important to have them? We've had emotions since day one, but they show as we grow. To grow means that these feelings and emotions have made us who we are. Life isn't easy, but it does make us who we are.
In ways that are sometimes hard to express, Karen Harden wants to share with you that life has its many ups and downs, but we are able to bounce back and move forward. She hopes that this book can, in some way, help you in some form or other.