Join The Detroit Writing Room for book talks, workshops and more!

The Detroit Writing Room hosts virtual and in-person events throughout the year, including book talks, writing workshops, retreats 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

AUGUST

Writing Group Coffee Meetup

For Writing Room Members + Friends

Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025

11 a.m. to noon EST

The Congregation Detroit

DWR members part of our monthly Writing Group are invited to a summertime coffee meetup! Grab a drink or treat, and meet us outside at The Congregation Detroit to enjoy a Saturday morning with our writing community! This is an opportunity to chat, get to know each other and swap verbal stories. (We'll resume with structured feedback in September.) If you’re a DWR member interested in joining the Writing Group, we’d love for you to sip coffee with us too! Attendees are welcome to bring a friend. Please RSVP so we know who to expect. 

SEPTEMBER

How to Write a Rockstar Resume

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

6 - 8 p.m. EST

@ Bamboo Royal Oak

In this market, it's more important now than ever to stick out among the stack of applicants. Writing your resume can be a HUGE homework assignment, leaving you feeling lost. With conflicting information online, self-proclaimed career experts and the everyday stress of life, it can be overwhelming, but look no further! The Detroit Writing Room is partnering with The Resume Rescue to offer a resume writing workshop just for you.

This intimate workshop led by Angela Buccellato will teach you the do's and don'ts of resumes to stay current with job searching trends. She will guide you through each section of the resume to ensure you understand what recruiters want to see. You will also have the ability to curate your resume! You'll walk away from this workshop with an application-ready resume. Early bird tickets are $75 until Aug. 10.

How to Protect Your Intellect

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

6 - 8 p.m. EST

Virtual

Join us for an engaging and informative Intellectual Property Workshop focused on the essentials of trademarks and copyrights! Whether you're a creative, entrepreneur or small business owner, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to protect your brand, your content and your vision. The virtual workshop is led by attorney April McKie. April is currently the managing attorney at ALM Legacy Legal, PLLC, and she works Of Counsel to Great Lakes Legal Group, PLLC, where she helps small businesses and startups with customized legal business solutions. She has successfully negotiated the rights of her clients to use their registered U.S. Trademark against multibillion dollar companies. Come learn how to legally safeguard what you’ve built – before someone else tries to claim it. Early bird tickets are $75 until Aug. 17.

Book Talk & Signing with Author Ann Berman

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025

6-7:30 p.m. EST

@ The Guardian Building

Supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council

Join The Detroit Writing Room for a book talk and signing with award-winning author Ann Berman! Come celebrate the Wayne State University Press release of Ann Berman's new biography about Louis Graveraet Kaufman — the fabulous Michigan Gatsby who conquered Wall Street, took over General Motors and built the Empire State Building. The event will take place at the historic Guardian Building, one of Detroit's most iconic buildings. Join us on the 32nd floor for wine and beer, appetizers and breathtaking views of Detroit's skyline. During the event, you'll learn about the extraordinary rise of the glamorous, competitive and clever American banking titan born in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Gatsbyesque figure was known for throwing lavish Prohibition-era parties in Marquette, Michigan, where he built the world's largest log lodge.

The conversation will be moderated by Detroit Writing Room coach Laura Berman, an award-winning columnist and journalist. Guests will have an opportunity to participate in a Q&A. They’ll also be entered in a raffle for a copy of the new book, Perspectives Magazine and other prizes! Single tickets are $35. Includes appetizers, wine and beer. Proceeds benefit Coaching Detroit Forward scholarships for Detroit teens to attend our Journalism Camp!

Writing Group

For Writing Room Members Only

Monday. Sept. 29, 2025

7 - 8:30 p.m. EST

Virtual

Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group led by Coach Laura Berman! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from Coach Laura and the group. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email hello@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.

OCTOBER

How to Write a Book in a Day

Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST

@ Baldwin Public Library

Your book is calling louder than ever. Answer the call, finally, with a day-long experience that will inspire and instruct you with everything you need to know to write, publish and promote a great book. Author, publisher and Detroit Writing Room coach Elizabeth Ann Atkins will teach you how to write your book in a day. As the bestselling author of nearly 60 books and CEO of Two sisters Writing & Publishing®, this book coach who has taught college-level writing will share her experience and expertise to help you finally write your book. She will inspire with the mindset required to achieve this dream, and she will provide the mechanics required to write an impactful, engaging book that captivates your target audience.

So bring your pens, notepads and laptops, and get ready to write, revise and learn. If you've been confused and overwhelmed, not knowing where to start your book, you'll leave this day-long experience feeling confident and equipped with the structure and knowledge required to finally compose until you type THE END. The day-long workshop includes morning coffee and bagels as well as lunch from Breadless, a local healthy eatery. Early bird tickets are $199 until Sept. 11.

Writing Group

For Writing Room Members Only

Monday. Oct. 27, 2025

7 - 8:30 p.m. EST

Virtual

Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group led by Coach Laura Berman! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from Coach Laura and the group. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email hello@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.

NOVEMBER

The Power of Memoir: How to Write Your Life Story

Monday, Nov. 3, 2025

6 - 7:30 p.m. EST

Oakland Community College - Royal Oak

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. 

Looking back on your life is a powerful exercise that has many unexpected benefits. It enables you to celebrate how far you've come and assess where you want to go. Your memoir also educates, inspires, and entertains people by showcasing your unique triumphs, expertise and knowledge. General admission is $69. Writing Room members get 20% off with their member code.

Ask Me Anything with Writing Coach Natalia Aponte

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025

Noon - 1 p.m. EST

Virtual

Writing Room members are invited to join New York Writing Room Coach Natalia Aponte to ask her anything! Come with questions about a personal project or seek advice from Natalia — a veteran fiction editor — about fiction writing, editing and publishing. This is an open hour to ask questions in a group setting. Or come just to listen and learn! Ask Me Anythings are for Writing Room members only. RSVP to get the Zoom link. Members who RSVP will also receive a video recap.

Photography Exhibition & Perspectives Magazine 2025 Launch Party

Friday, Nov. 14, 2025

5 - 7 p.m. EST

@ Playground Detroit

The Detroit Writing Room and our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward are excited to invite you to a Photography Exhibition and Perspectives Magazine 2025 Launch Party!

The event celebrates the photos captured by Detroit high school students in Coaching Detroit Forward's Beginner and Advanced Photography Camps as well as articles written by teens who attended our Journalism Camp. Attendees will have an opportunity to view photos on exhibit at Playground Detroit, a Detroit gallery space. The annual award-winning Perspectives Magazine will also be released at the event. The magazine features the students' stories focused on health, the environment, social justice and community news as well as students' photos of downtown Detroit, nature, people, events and more.

Photos on display will be auctioned, with live bidding ending at 6:40 p.m. Proceeds from photos will be split between the student photographer and CDF. There will be appetizers and drinks to enjoy while admiring the students' work. Remarks by coaches will be made at 5:30 p.m., followed by a celebratory toast.

This event is free to attend for students, parents, coaches, Coaching Detroit Forward partners and Detroit Writing Room members. We kindly request that the public and guests make a minimum $10 donation to CDF when registering for a ticket on Eventbrite. Space is limited! Tickets are first come, first serve! Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Nov. 14, 2025.

Writing Group

For Writing Room Members Only

Monday. Nov. 24, 2025

7 - 8:30 p.m. EST

Virtual

Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group led by Coach Laura Berman! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from Coach Laura and the group. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email hello@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.

DECEMBER

2025 Detroit Writing Room Awards

Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

Time TBA

@ Detroit Public Theatre

Save the date! Details will be announced soon for our 2025 DWR Awards ceremony! Writers and photographers from Detroit and Metro Detroit are welcome to submit their work by Sept. 3, 2025. All proceeds from the event benefit our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward.