Mesa Public Library has announced Brooke Bessesen, an author and conservationist, as the new Writer in Residence at the Red Mountain Library branch from April to July. During her residency, Bessesen will offer Writer in Residence Consultation Hours, providing private, 30-minute sessions to help local writers improve their skills. These consultations will be available by appointment, as part of a program aimed at supporting literary development in the Mesa community.
For those looking to transition from avid readers to aspiring children's book authors, novelists, or memoirists, Bessesen's workshop titled "Whats YOUR Story? Taking the First Step from Reader to Writer" was held yesterday, offering a chance to explore writing goals, according to MesaNow. Upcoming workshops include "Wordplay: Solving the Writing Puzzle" on May 8 and "Contemporary Picture Books: Character, Structure, and Voice in Under 20 Words" on May 22, both intended to help participants improve their literary skills.
Award-winning and diverse in her expertise, Bessesen's portfolio spans from "Vaquita: Science, Politics, and Crime in the Sea of Cortez," an internationally recognized work, to a wildlife guide and a series of children's books such as "Look Who Lives in the Ocean." Her educational background includes a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Reading, combining her passion for storytelling with a strong scientific foundation, as reported by MesaNow.
The Writer in Residence program provides opportunities for knowledge exchange and aims to support literary development within the Mesa community. It is funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Arizona State Library. The program is intended to contribute to the intellectual and cultural resources available to residents. For additional information about the residency, individuals can contact Mesa Public Library at 480-644-3100 or visit the Writer in Residence page on the library’s website.
