Beginning May 4, freelance writer Mark Athitakis is available to assist in the writing process to tell your stories better as the next writer in residence at the Apache Junction Public Library, 1177 N. Idaho Road.

Mr. Athitakis has covered books and the arts for a variety of publications, including The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Humanities magazine, Virginia Quarterly Review and many more. A former board member of the National Book Critics Circle and judge for the Kirkus Prize, he has presented on writing at Arizona State University, Arizona Professional Writers, the Center for Fiction and elsewhere. He is the author of The New Midwest, a guide to contemporary fiction from the region, which won the Books by the Banks Award for best adult nonfiction title.

Virtual one-on-one consultations are 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and 9-11 a.m. Saturdays.

Mr. Athitakis offers the following workshops on the second Thursdays:

• “Getting Started at Freelance Writing,” 6:30 p.m. May 13: Do you have a particular expertise that you’re itching to write articles about but aren’t sure where to start? This program will discuss the essentials of finding paying outlets for your writing, successfully pitching editors, finding support and managing a writing business. Whether you’ve published before or are new to freelancing, the program will give you practical tips and resources to launch or expand your writing work.
•  “Social Media for Writers and Readers,” 6:30 p.m. June 10: Literary social media is always shifting, from “Bookstagram” to “#booktok.” But regardless of the tool, it’s a consistent source of inspiration and community for writers and readers — if you use it right. We’ll talk about some of the most prominent platforms and how to use them in ways that are both fun and productive. Perfect for the writer looking for ways to build connections or a reader looking for new ways to discover your next favorite author.
• “Reading Like a Critic,” 6:30 p.m. July 8: Book critics do more than just praise and pan — they look for themes and ideas that make a book worth thinking about. The tools critics use can help expand your tastes, win your book club and simply know yourself better. This session will talk about the art and craft of criticism and explore what makes for an effective review, whether you’re writing for The New York Times or your Goodreads page.

To register or for more information, go to the library’s website at ajpl.org, or call 480-474-8555.

All workshops are free and open to the public. The Writer in Residence Program is sponsored by the Arizona State Library, a division of the Secretary of State’s office, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.