Writer in Residence

Writer in Residence: Sharon Skinner 

Mesa Public Library is excited to partner with the Arizona State Library to welcome Sharon Skinner as our Writer in Residence from September through December at the Main Library. Sharon will offer one-on-one consultations and workshops to support both aspiring and established authors.

Sharon Skinner is a talented author, certified book coach, and freelance editor who specializes in helping writers transform their words into captivating stories. She provides editing and coaching for fiction, memoirs, and nonfiction.

Writing primarily speculative fiction for all ages, Sharon's works encompass fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and steampunk genres. She has published nine novels, two short story and poetry collections, two picture books, and various other writings. Her latest novel, Lostuns Found, is a middle-grade steampunk adventure, while her most recent collection, Blood From a Rose, features dark fantasy and light horror with a touch of humor. You can explore Sharon's books through our catalog.

Writer in Residence Consultation Hours

Improve your writing with 30-minute one-on-one consultation sessions. Patrons are limited to one session per week, with a maximum of two sessions per month. To book a time slot, select the month below to access the event calendar:

September: Fully booked
October: Fully Booked
November: Fully Booked
December: Book a consultation

Workshops

Re-envisioning, Revising, and Self-Editing
Saturday, Nov 16, 10:00am – 12:00pm 
Writers need to know how to edit their work. Not only must they ensure the draft they submit to an agent or editor is as close to perfect as possible, but they also need to understand what to do when working with an editor.

Writing KIDLIT: Where Does Your Story Fit?
Wednesday, Nov 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Learn how to determine where your story fits into children’s literature.

Inside Out: Emotion and Sensory Detail
Saturday, Dec 14, 10:00am – 12:00pm 
Learn how to create emotion and sensory details in your work that engage the reader while providing relatable characters and experiences. The first half of this workshop will focus on infusing the story with emotion. The second half will provide exercises for including sensory details in your fiction, using all senses.

This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.