Join The Detroit Writing Room for book talks, workshops and more!
The Detroit Writing Room hosts virtual and select in-person events throughout the year, including book talks, writing workshops, open mic nights and more. We also partner with local and national writers interested in leading workshops. Check below to see what’s coming up next.
Upcoming Events
APRIL
The Power of Memoir: How to Write Your Life Story
April 9, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
@ Next Chapter Books in Detroit
You want to write your life story. But where should you start? What should you include? And how can you make your memoir pop, dazzle, inspire, motivate, entertain and even influence readers to improve their lives? Get answers during this high-energy, interactive workshop that teaches everything you need to know to master the art of writing your memoir. Detroit Writing Room coach Elizabeth Ann Atkins, CEO of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing, will draw upon her experience of writing dozens of books, including many memoirs for highly accomplished individuals, such as former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer.
You’ll learn the nuts and bolts of memoir writing, as well as techniques for capturing your readers’ attention by focusing your content and expressing it with pizzazz.In addition, Elizabeth will teach you how to: express your authentic self; craft suspenseful scenes and cliffhangers that keep your readers turning pages; write realistic dialogue; describe settings; select themes; pick a title for your book; utilize your fiction-writing skills to recreate historic scenes based on your research; bring every scene to life; and so much more. She’ll also explain your options for publishing your memoir.
Early bird tickets are $45 until March 9, 2024. Anyone who attends will receive 10% off book purchases during the workshop. They will also receive a promo code for 20% off a one-on-one coaching session with Elizabeth Ann Atkins.
Pitch Perfect: How to Get Your Brand or Story Noticed by National Media
April 17, 2024
5 - 6:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Are you a freelance writer, PR professional or entrepreneur eager to know what it takes to get your brand or story idea noticed by a national media outlet? What subject lines stand out? What story ideas resonate? How long, short, detailed or vague should your pitch be? How much do connections matter? Can you really make a living as a freelance journalist?
Learn it all from New York Writing Room coach Anna Medaris, a journalist with over 12 years of experience writing and editing for publications including the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Women's Health, Cosmopolitan, Everyday Health and others. Join this virtual workshop to get a look behind the scenes of what writers and editors' daily life (and inbox) actually looks like, candid advice on how to sell yourself and your idea or to simply introduce yourself because one thing she thinks has never changed is the power of human connections.
Attendees have an opportunity to get their pitch reviewed! Early bird tickets are $45 until March 17. Sign up with a friend or colleague and get $10 off!
Summer Author Series
The last Wednesday of each month May through August 2024
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
The Whitney
The Detroit Writing Room’s Author Series returns this summer at the historic Whitney mansion in Detroit! Each event features two acclaimed authors of a shared genre or book theme. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres during a meet-and-greet with the authors. Each event also includes two author talks, an opportunity to ask questions during Q&A, book signings and raffle drawings. The intimate experiences are held in The Whitney’s outdoor garden, weather permitting. Guests can purchase books from our bookstore partner 27th Letter Books in advance and onsite.
Featured 2024 Authors:
May 29 - Stories for Young Readers
Gerry Boylan and Eli Clark, grandfather and grandson co-authors of “Showdown At Firefly Island” (2023)
Amy Nielander, Detroit Writing Room children’s book coach and author-illustrator of “My Name Is Not Ed Tug” (West Margin Press, 2022)
June 26 - Jane Austen Retellings
Sonali Dev, author of “The Emma Project” (William Morrow Paperbacks, 2022)
A.H. Kim, author of “Relative Strangers” (Graydon House, 2024)
July 31 - A Dive into the Detroit Numbers
Bridgett M. Davis, author of “The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers” (Little, Brown and Company, 2019)
Felicia B. George, author of “When Detroit Played the Numbers” (Wayne State University Press, 2024)
August 28 - Love and Acceptance
Lynne Golodner, author of “Woman of Valor” (Scotia Road Books, 2023)
Lisa Peers, author of “Love at 350°” (Dial Press Trade, 2023)
Pricing:
Single event tickets are $60. Includes wine or beer and appetizers.
Purchase a Summer Author Series Pass to attend all 4 events for $240 and receive a 15% book discount!
Proceeds benefit the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Coaching Detroit Forward.
AUGUST
College Application Essay Writing Workshop
Aug. 15, 2024
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST
Bamboo Detroit
Are you a high school student preparing to apply to college and unsure how to write a college application essay? Perhaps you’ve started a draft, but don’t know if you’re on the right track. Or just want some feedback. Our College Application Essay Writing Workshop this August will help you navigate every step of the process.
In this in-person workshop led by coach Danielle Alexander, high school students will practice and develop the skill of writing a college application essay. Students will brainstorm, outline and begin drafting at least one college application essay by the conclusion of the workshop. In addition to being an instructional space, the workshop is intended to be collaborative. Students will read and analyze each other's work, as well as model college application essays. Together, we will grow comfortable with the conventions of application writing, the vulnerability of sharing our stories and the revision process involving both peer review and instructor feedback.
Students who attend the workshop will receive: lunch, a reusable water bottle, journal, purple pen and a 20% discount for additional coaching with Detroit Writing Room or New York Writing Room coaches. Early bird registration is $150 until April 1, 2024. Space is limited!
Scholarship Opportunities:
Detroit students: Students who attend a Detroit high school or live in the city of Detroit can apply to attend this workshop for free with Coaching Detroit Forward on Aug. 14. Apply here by June 1.
Metro Detroit students: A few scholarships are available for Metro Detroit students to attend the Aug. 15 workshop for free. Please email hello@detroitwritingroom.com stating what school you attend, your current year in school and why you would like a scholarship to attend this workshop.
SEPTEMBER
Picture Book Training Workshop: From Concept to Publication
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024
6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
@ 27th Letter Books in Detroit
Much like an athlete needs to train for an event, children’s book writers have to train for picture book writing. Whether you are in the early stages of story development or are seeking publication, this workshop led by Detroit Writing Room children's book coach Amy Nielander will walk you through a Training Plan that will help you stay focused on the finish line: submitting your story for publication.
You will learn how to create deadlines, define your audience, sharpen your pitch, develop a picture book dummy, work through sticking points, craft a query letter, target traditional publishers and more. This in-person workshop at the Detroit independent bookstore 27th Letter Books will propel you forward so you can cross that finish line (finally!) and feel proud.
Early bird tickets are $45 until Aug. 1, 2024. Anyone who attends will receive a promo code for 20% off a one-on-one coaching session with Amy Nielander. There will also be a raffle for a chance to win a copy of Amy’s latest picture book, “My Name Is Not Ed Tug,” and other literary prizes!