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

JANUARY

The Art of Opinion Writing

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025

6:30-8 p.m. EST

Virtual

Do you aspire to win friends and influence people? Is there a cause you want to publicly champion? Do you yearn to master the art of the hot take? Join The New York Writing Room for a virtual workshop, "The Art of Opinion Writing." You'll learn how to harmonize, synthesize and advertise your boldest opinions with Ken Davidoff, a New York-based sports journalist with over 25 years of experience.

Ken will talk you through the nuances of this craft: how to state your case in a way that flows logically; how to start and conclude your argument to match that flow as well as sway and entertain the reader; how to utilize data, quotes and other tools to bolster your case; how to preemptively anticipate the opposing argument and shoot that down; and how to match the tone of your writing to the strength and passion of your argument, among other tricks of the trade. There will also be time for Q&A and an opportunity to get feedback on your writing. Early bird tickets are $45 until Dec. 25, 2024.

Marketing for Authors

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025

7-9 p.m. EST

Virtual

To succeed as a writer, you need two things: to write and to embrace the idea that no one will love your books more than you. Many writers believe that if they work with an agent or secure a traditional publishing contract, they won’t have to lift a finger to market their books. But they couldn’t be more wrong! Regardless of the publishing path an author chooses, they’ll have to not only embrace marketing, but immerse in it if they want their books to sell and their author brand to become known among readers. Especially if they want to secure a deal for a second book.

In this virtual workshop, award-winning, bestselling author and marketing expert Lynne Golodner will share insights on how to build a compelling and consistent author brand, how to understand all the various marketing channels and how marketing makes a book relevant to readers, and how to create a dynamic and doable marketing strategy that you’ll love to implement. Early bird tickets are $60 until Dec. 25, 2024.

Writing Group

For Writing Room Members Only

Jan. 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.

FEBRUARY

College Application Essay Writing Workshop

In Partnership with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025

9 a.m. to noon EST

Detroit

Local Girl Scouts getting ready to apply to college are invited to join us for an essay writing workshop led by coach Danielle Alexander! Bring an essay prompt from the college you want to apply to, or work on a common application prompt provided. The workshop includes a notebook, pen and snacks. Attendees should bring a laptop or iPad to work on. Not a Girl Scout? You can still register to attend! Registration closes Jan. 20, 2025. Space is limited. The location will be shared with those who register. The cost is $135 for Girl Scouts/$162 for non-Girl Scouts.

How to Find a Literary Agent

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025

6:30-7:45 p.m. EST

Virtual

You've written your manuscript, and you're ready to pitch it to a publisher. But first, you need a literary agent. Finding the best agent who will advocate for you and your story is not always an easy or quick process. And if you've never queried an agent before, you might not know where to start. The Writing Room is here to help alleviate stress and answer all your questions about securing an agent!

Detroit Writing Room coach Justin Brouckaert and Monica Rodriguez are professional literary agents who help writers find agents and understand what to expect from this part of the publishing process. During the virtual panel discussion moderated by Writing Room founder Stephanie Steinberg, the agents will cover:

• Why you may need an agent

• The best ways to find agents

• How to determine who is an ideal agent for you and your project(s)

• The querying process and "the call"

• What to expect once an agent says "yes" to working with you!

The last 15 minutes will be reserved for Q&A, so come with your questions! Early bird tickets are $50 until Jan. 13. All attendees will receive a promo code for 20% off a coaching session with Justin Brockaert.

Writing Group

For Writing Room Members Only

Feb. 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.

MARCH

How to Get Your Book Published

Monday, March 3, 2025

6-7:30 p.m. EST

Virtual

Learn everything you need to know about how to publish your book at this virtual workshop with Two Sisters Writing & Publishing. Since founding this independent press, Elizabeth Ann Atkins and Catherine M. Greenspan have published about 60 memoirs, workbooks and novels. This includes Catherine’s young adult novels and memoirs for former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, a former American Red Cross president, several physicians, and even their mother, a retired judge.

The Two Sisters will explain your three main options: traditional publishing with “The Big Five” in New York; self-publishing; and independent and hybrid publishing. Elizabeth will also share her experience as a bestselling author whose 40 books have been published all three ways. And you’ll learn how to reverse engineer the entire process to strategize your best possible outcome. You’ll leave this high-energy, informative and interactive virtual workshop armed with everything you need to know to choose the best publishing option for your book. Early bird tickets are $40 until Feb. 3.

How to Write a Book in a Day

Saturday, March 15, 2025

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

@ Baldwin Public Library

It's a new year... a new decade...and 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 workshop includes morning coffee and bagels as well as lunch from Breadless, a local healthy eatery. Attendees will be able to select from a menu. Early bird tickets are $199 until Feb. 15.

Book Talk & Signing ft. Bridgett M. Davis

Saturday, March 22, 2025

6 - 7 p.m. EST

@ 27th Letter Books

Join The Detroit Writing Room for a book talk and signing with award-winning author Bridgett M. Davis! Come celebrating the release of her new memoir "Love, Rita" on March 22 at 27th Letter Books. Bridgett M. Davis is the author of “The World According To Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life In The Detroit Numbers”, a New York Times Editors’ Choice and 2020 Michigan Notable Book. Her latest book, “Love, Rita,” will be released by Harper Books in March.

“Love, Rita” tells the story of Bridgett’s beloved older sister, Rita, who knew Bridgett before she knew herself. Just four years apart in age, as the two sisters grew into young adulthood, they left behind their childhood rivalry and became best friends. The memoir is a searing tribute of sisterhood and family, love and profound loss.

At the event, Kat Stafford, a global race and justice editor at Reuters and Coaching Detroit Forward Journalism Camp coach, will moderate the conversation. Guests will have an opportunity to participate in a Q&A. They’ll also be entered in a raffle for literary prizes and Perspectives Magazine. Tickets are a suggested minimum $15 donation. All proceeds benefit The Detroit Writing Room’s 2025 Journalism Camp and Coaching Detroit Forward scholarships for Detroit high school students to attend the camp for free.

Writing Group

For Writing Room Members Only

Monday, March 24, 2025

7 - 8:30 p.m. EST

@ Baldwin Public Library

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 reserve a seat!

How to Submit to Literary Magazines & Small Presses

Thursday, March 27, 2025

5:30 - 7 p.m. EST

Virtual

Wherever you are in the writing process, submitting your work can be a helpful light at the end of the tunnel. But the world of literary magazines and small publishers is so expansive and diverse, it’s hard to know where and how to send your work out for publication. In this virtual workshop with Dennis James Sweeney, author of "How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses," we’ll talk about the landscape of literary magazines and small presses, strategies for achieving your publication goals and how to navigate the vulnerability of sending out the writing you’ve worked so hard on. You’ll leave the class with next steps for submitting your latest piece of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction or hybrid work. This informational class will also include written reflection, group discussion and Q&A time. Join us if you’d like company in the exciting but daunting process of sending out your writing. Early bird tickets are $55 until Feb. 27.

APRIL

Pitch Perfect: How to Get You Brand or Story Noticed by National Media

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

1-2:30 p.m. EST

Virtual

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 15 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.

Anna currently freelances for publications nationwide, coaches writers through the New York Writing Room, and moderates professional panels. She's appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America and dozens of local TV and radio stations. Throughout it all, she's vetted countless pitches from PR professionals, entrepreneurs, writers, family members and friends to truly understand what works, and what doesn't. Join this virtual workshop on 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 submit a pitch for Anna to review and provide feedback. Early bird tickets are $45 until March 16. Sign up with a colleague or friend and get $10 off!

MAY

Picture Book Training Workshop: From Concept to Publication

Saturday, May 10, 2025

2-4 p.m. EST

@ 27th Letter Books

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. The workshop also celebrates Children's Book Week, the longest-running national literacy initiative in the U.S. Early bird tickets are $45 until April 1. All attendees will be entered in a raffle for literary prizes.