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
JUNE
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Groups
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, June 29, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Fiction Group Meets Virtually
Non-Fiction Group Meets at Michigan Central Station
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez-Cools! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. 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. Members attending the session at Michigan Central must RSVP by June 25.
JULY
Detroit Bookfest
Sunday, July 19, 2026
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST
Eastern Market Shed 6
Join us for the 9th annual Festival of Books at Eastern Market! Over 300 vendors will be selling books, records, art and more! Stop by our table to meet our writing coaches and check out their books! You can also support our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward by purchasing the anthology “Detroit Voices” or the award-winning Perspectives Magazine. The event is free!
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Groups
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, July 27, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez Cools! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. 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.
AUGUST
Inhabiting a Story on Stage: Telling Stories Live with the Creators of Detroit Story Fest
Aug. 3, 2026
12 - 1 p.m. EST
Virtual
Step into the art of live storytelling in a one-hour virtual session led by the creators and producers of Detroit Story Fest. The session is designed for writers, performers and anyone interested in bringing personal narratives to life. Participants will learn how to transform written work into compelling live performance, with a focus on voice, presence, pacing and narrative structure. Attendees will also learn about pitching Story Fest, with the potential to bring their work to the stage at the fourth annual festival later this year. General admission is $15. Writing Room members can attend for free by RSVP’ing to events@detroitwritingroom.com.
Parent-Child Drawing Workshop
Featuring the Create a Character Activity
Aug. 6, 2026
7 - 8 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station
Are you looking for a fun way to connect with your child? Join Detroit Writing Room Coach Amy Nielander for a hands-on drawing workshop featuring the Create a Character Activity. In this interactive program, children and caregivers draw together while building creativity and connection. Participants will stretch their imagination and practice resilience through engaging activities. No drawing experience is needed, and all caregivers are welcome. The workshop is for ages 5 and up. Due to the family-focused nature of the workshop, space is limited. Early bird tickets are $35 per family until July 6, 2026.
Literary Salon
Theme: The Iceberg Theory
Aug. 11, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station
Last Series Dates: October 21
How did F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Ernest Hemingway and so many other famous early 20th century writers develop such close friendships? In part, due to literary salons — intentional gatherings of like-minded individuals in an intimate setting for conversation, food, drink and listening. Literary salons first started popping up in Italy over the course of the 16th century and became more popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in France. Now, we are bringing this great tradition of community-building with a literary flair to Detroit!
Join award-winning author and writing coach Lynne Golodner and The Detroit Writing Room for quarterly Literary Salons at Michigan Central Station’s new Shaka Senghor Literary Lounge! You’ll make writer friends, engage in literary-rich discussions, sip and snack, and do a little writing, too!
Tickets:
Tickets include wine from Santé Wine Tasting Room and charcuterie from Mongers' Provisions. At each event, guests will be entered into a raffle for copy of Detroit Voices and Perspectives Magazine!
Single admission is $67, or attend the series for $249 (a $19 savings!).
Detroit Writing Room members and students of Lynne Golodner get 20% off!
The Writers’ Supper Club
Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026
6 - 8 p.m. EST
Parc Detroit
You are invited to join us for an intimate writers' dinner — an evening designed to gather storytellers to share ideas, spread inspiration and enjoy great food in the heart of Campus Martius. The Writers' Supper Club is a new series dedicated to creativity, conversation and connection. When writers come together, inspiration sparks and turns into ideas that have the power to shape the world. Hosted by writer and DWR workshop leader Jen Williams, this evening has been carefully crafted to deepen the work of writers in the community. Through engaging and fun dialogue, we'll explore a range of diverse topics to share perspectives and create meaningful change, both on and off the page. A brief presentation will be shared with valuable resources for all writers.
Tickets also include a full dinner from Parc Detroit with appetizers, entrees, desserts, and beverages (beer and wine included). Seating is limited to 14 people. Writers of all genres and experience levels are encouraged to attend. Reserve your seat today for a creative evening where you’ll leave with deeper connections and a few goodies! Tickets are $110 per person. Writing Room members receive $22 off with their member code!
Ask Me Anything with Coach Aaron Robertson
For Writing Room Members Only
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026
Noon - 1 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to join Detroit Writing Room Coach Aaron Robertson to ask him anything! Come with questions about a personal project or seek writing advice from Aaron, an award-winning author, journalist and editor. This is an open hour to ask questions in a group setting. Or come just to listen and learn! Ask Me Anythings are free and for Writing Room members only. RSVP to get the Zoom link. Members who RSVP will also receive a video recap.
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Groups
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, Aug. 31, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez Cools! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email events@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
SEPTEMBER
Pen & Persistence
Sept. 15 and Dec. 8
7 - 8 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station
Pen & Persistence is a space for writers who understand that the hardest part of the writing journey isn’t the craft but everything that comes with it. Writers will come together not to workshop or critique, but to support one another through the doubts, anxieties, rejections and to celebrate the small victories. Whether you’re stuck, waiting for that acceptance email, or trying to make time for the page amid a busy life, this is a place to commiserate, listen and remember that you don’t have to carry the writing journey alone. Led by writer Della Cassia, the group will meet quarterly in-person, with additional Zoom meetings in-between. Free for DWR members. General admission is $20 per event.
Registration closes at 7 p.m. the day before each in-person event. Anyone who attends at least one in-person session will be invited to attend the Zoom sessions at no additional cost!
The Stories We Keep: Using Objects to Unlock Memory and Meaning
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
@ Santé Wine Tasting Room in Farmington
What can a coffee cup, a scarf, a photograph or a piece of jewelry reveal about a moment in time, an experience or a special person in your life? Join essayist and journalist Della Cassia for an interactive workshop exploring the literary technique known as the Objective Correlative — the use of objects to evoke emotion, reveal meaning and deepen storytelling. Through guided writing exercises and discussion, participants will learn how everyday objects or keepsakes can serve as powerful entry points into memoir, personal essays and short stories. Whether you're struggling to access a memory, develop a scene or add emotional depth to your writing, this workshop will provide practical tools you can use immediately.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a meaningful object. Everyone will leave with new writing, fresh insights and a deeper understanding of how the things we keep can help us tell the stories that matter most. Please bring your favorite notebook or writing materials. We'll supply the purple pens! The workshop includes your choice of a glass of wine or a wine flight with three 2.5-ounce pours. Tickets range $65-$75. Members can use their code for 20% off!
Sound Questions: The Art & Craft of Audio Interviewing
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station
In this workshop with DWR podcast coach and public radio veteran Zak Rosen, participants will study masters of the interview form across broadcast and digital media, and practice honing their own interview style and methodology. Whether you’re an aspiring podcaster, journalist, documentarian or just trying to get better at talking to friends and strangers, the participatory workshop will help lay the groundwork for one of the most important parts of being alive: listening deeply and responding authentically. Participants will leave with a plan and a map for their next big interview. Early bird tickets are $60 until Aug. 27. A few spaces are reserved for Journalism Camp alumni and Boys & Girls Club high students to attend for free.
The Writer’s Sprint
Sunday, Sept. 27 and Nov. 8, 2026
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station’s Literary Lounge
Are you having a hard time focusing on your writing project and need an extra push to make progress? The Writer’s Sprint is designed to help you meet your goal with minimal distractions. Hosted by Detroit Writing Room workshop leader Jen Williams, the event features two focused 1-hour writing sessions, a break for food with Q&A, and time to connect with others.
Whether you are working on fiction, a memoir or a business plan, all writers are welcome. Think of it as protected writing time in community with others. DWR coaches will be available to provide guidance or answer questions as needed. We’ll bring views of the city, coffee, brunch and a celebratory beverage. You are welcome to bring whatever you need: a laptop for typing and research or a notebook for plotting and planning. And if you listen to music while writing, please bring personal headphones to help reduce noise in the space. Come solo or invite a friend to partake in our writing community! Single admission is $35. Attend both fall Sprints for $60 (a $10 savings!).
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Groups
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez Cools! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email events@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
OCTOBER
Pitch Perfect for PR Pros: How to Get Your Client Noticed by National Media
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026
12 - 1:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Are you a publicist sick of hearing crickets from editors? Do you want to learn what makes one prolific journalist tick? Are you eager to find out what PR pitches have actually yielded stories — and what mistakes have landed their teams’ emails on the do-not-open list? Learn it all from New York Writing Room coach Anna Medaris, a health and lifestyle journalist with more than 15 years of experience writing and editing for national publications.
During this virtual workshop, you’ll get a look behind the scenes of what writers and editors' daily lives (and inboxes) actually looks like, candid advice on how to sell your brand, expert or idea, insight into what Anna’s working on right now and feedback of your own pitches in real time. Get Your Pitch Reviewed: To send a pitch to be workshopped during the session, email it to hello@newyorkwritingroom.com by Oct. 5 . Early bird tickets are $80 until Sept. 7.
Detroit Writers Conference
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station
Join The Detroit Writing Room’s for our inaugural Detroit Writers Conference! The day-long experience is for writers interested in publishing a book and connecting with local writers. Several Detroit Writing Room coaches will lead workshops and panel talks covering topics such as publishing options, finding an agent, marketing your book, copyright and trademark and more! Editors from Michigan university presses will also share best practices for pitching to publishers and the types of manuscripts they’re seeking. The conference includes time to network with editors, Detroit Writing Room coaches and fellow writers. Detroit bookstore 27th Letter Books as well as local authors will be on-site selling books throughout the day.
Tickets:
Coffee, breakfast, lunch and a celebratory happy hour sponsored by Mays Multimedia are included!
General admission = $250
Writing Room members = $200 with their member code
Space is limited. Registration closes Oct. 5 or until spaces are filled. A select number of Detroit high school students from the Boys & Girls Club and Coaching Detroit Forward are eligible to attend for free.
Neurodivergent Characters: Writing with Intention and Care
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
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Does your project feature neurodivergent characters, but you’re unsure if their representation is accurate? Join New York Writing Room Coach Johanie Martinez-Cools for a virtual workshop about writing neurodivergent characters with intention and care. In the workshop, Coach Johanie will cover four lived identities: bipolar II, autism, ADHD and OCD. She will discuss their stereotypes and how to write your characters accurately and as fully realized people, rather than being defined by their neurotype. The workshop is geared toward fiction writers, but all genres are welcome. Early bird tickets are $60 until Sept. 14, 2026.
The Art of Revision
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST
Michigan Central Station
The only thing lonelier than a blank page is a rough draft that needs to be edited, trimmed, restructured or polished. Or, worse yet: A manuscript that needs something, but you’re not quite sure what. Justin Brouckaert has served as a literary agent, editor and coach to hundreds of authors over the past decade, helping writers shepherd their work from the blank page to bookstore shelves — and, along the way, giving them the tools to become sharper, more thoughtful and more incisive editors.
Attendees of this fun, collaborative and intensive three-hour workshop will walk away with some of those tools. In this session, you’ll learn to implement helpful tips and refine common mistakes, participate in small group workshops and complete exercises meant to refine your vision as a writer and editor. Whether you’re working on a specific project or are just looking to become a more capable editor for yourself or others, you’ll walk away with a new set of strategies, mantras and hands-on experiences that will make the art of revision a little less daunting. The workshop includes coffee and bagels. Please plan to bring a copy of a short work or a short excerpt from a longer project that you'd like to revise! Early bird tickets are $85 until Sept. 24.
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Groups
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, Oct. 26, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez Cools! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email events@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
NOVEMBER
Pitch Perfect for Writers: How to Sell Your Story to National Media
Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Are you a freelance journalist who keeps getting ghosted by editors? Or a writer intimidated by the idea of pitching big-name outlets? Or someone with a compelling story but without a roadmap for where and how to tell it? Get the nitty-gritty details from New York Writing Room coach Anna Medaris, a health and lifestyle journalist with more than 15 years of experience landing successful pitches in publications including The Washington Post, Women's Health magazine and Vox. As a former editor at outlets including U.S. News & World Report and Business Insider, Anna also knows what catches staff editors’ eyes — and the increasing insanity of their inboxes.
Join this virtual workshop to dissect Anna’s real pitches that yielded “yeses,” learn strategies for finding what editors are looking for, demystify how “full-time” freelance journalists make ends meet and get feedback on your own story ideas in real time. This workshop also includes an opportunity to have your pitch reviewed by Anna! Early bird tickets are $50 until Oct. 11.
The Shape of a Draft: The Art of Developmental Editing
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026
6 - 7 p.m. EST
Virtual
The important first step to writing is to get your thoughts on the page. But when your draft is complete, a critical eye for big-picture components is crucial in the revision process, when your story begins to take shape. In this workshop led by New York Writing Room editing coach Johanie Martinez Coolz, we'll draw on the core principles of developmental editing — genre, pacing, worldbuilding, character development and theme — to finalize the story structure of your manuscript before it goes to the line editing and copy editing phases. This workshop is for fiction writers but can also apply to creative nonfiction writers. Early bird tickets are $45 until Oct. 18.
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Groups
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, Nov. 30, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez Cools! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email events@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
For the College-Bound
Detroit high school students are invited to attend a free two-part series this fall!
Locations Where We Hold Workshops!
Want to host a Detroit Writing Room workshop at your business, organization or venue? Email events@detroitwritingroom.com