Thursday February 9, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Traverwood Branch: Program Room

Are you a writer or an aspiring author? Did you know that the theme for Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2012 is Language: How We Communicate - - and that you can discover tips on how to communicate YOUR work through eBooks and self-publishing at this event?

Local authors Lara Zielin and Margaret Yang will share their tips, tricks and successes with the brave new world of electronic self-publishing.

Lara Zielin is the author of two books for Young Adults, "Donut Days" and "The Implosion of Aggie Winchester" as well as the forthcoming "The Waiting Sky." Margaret Yang is the co-author (under the name M.H. Mead) of "Fate's Mirror," "Good Fences" and other short fiction.

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up)

Wednesday February 15, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

The theme for Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2012 is Language: How We Communicate. Award-winning journalist Stephen G. Bloom, the UM Howard R. Marsh Visiting Professor of Journalism, will discuss how he communicates through non-fiction writing - including his December piece "Observations From 20 Years of Iowa Life" in The Atlantic which set off a firestorm of controversy placing him in the national spotlight. Bloom will also discuss the role of journalists today, touching on the future of journalism and nonfiction writing.

Since 1993, Bloom has been on the faculty of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa, where he is Professor and the Bessie Dutton Murray Professional Scholar. Prior to joining the Iowa faculty, Bloom was a staff writer at the Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times, and Dallas Morning News. He was a Brazilian correspondent for the Field News Service and national news editor at the Latin America Daily Post.

He is the author of "Tears of Mermaids: The Secret Story of Pearls," "The Oxford Project" with photographer Peter Feldstein, "Inside the Writer's Mind" and "Postville: A Clash of Cultures In Heartland America." His work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers, including The Atlantic, Smithsonian, The New York Times Magazine, Washington Post, Wilson Quarterly, Salon, Chronicle of Higher Education, American Journalism Review, International Herald Tribune, Chicago Tribune Magazine, Money, Journal of Health Communication, Annals of Clinical Psychiatry, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, American Editor, and National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

Thursday February 16, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

The theme for Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2012 is Language: How We Communicate. But, what happens when communication is difficult? Are you concerned about your child's speech and language development?

Janice Pagano MA CCC Speech Language Pathologist and Clinical Director of Building Bridges Therapy Center will present information about signs and symptoms any parent can look for to determine if there is an area needing further attention. The guidelines presented will be applicable to children of all ages from birth through high school. Handouts, charts and practical rules of thumb will be provided.

Janice Pagano is the Clinical Director of Building Bridges Therapy Center. She has experience with diagnosis and treatment of multiple types of speech and language challenges and also has experience working within school settings.

Saturday February 18, 2012: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

The theme for Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads 2012 is Language: How We Communicate. Learn new ways to use YOUR voice in this hilariously fun vocal workshop with nationally-known musician/puppeteer/storyteller Willy Claflin. This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

Growl, whisper, whine, mumble, bellow, sing -- make a LOT of noise and explore the use of your voice! Want to learn to make sound effects? How about talking in alien languages? You'll be amazed at the sounds you make when Willy leads this workshop on voice.

Willy Claflin is a favorite at the National Storytelling Festival and at regional festivals across the land. He tells original and traditional stories, sings his own songs, plus 1,032 eerie ballads from the British Isles and Appalachia--and a lot of blues and rock and roll. He is also the speaking mouth person for Maynard Moose, another famous storyteller and children's author.