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
NOVEMBER
The Psychology of Book Cover Design
Wednesday, Nov. 13 2024
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Marketers have used psychology for ages to increase engagement and boost sales. A book cover is a powerful marketing weapon. By uncovering the science behind conversion, you'll learn how covers grab readers' attention. Authors and publishers, get ready to add some scientific know-how to your bag of success tricks. This virtual workshop led by author Sierra Kay will allow attendees to: Understand the impact of book covers; learn the psychological triggers for conversion; and dive into how to create impactful book covers. Do you want a book cover review? Sierra Kay will assess three covers during the presentation. General admission is $50.
Photography Exhibition & Perspectives Magazine Launch Party
Friday, Nov. 15 2024
5 - 7 p.m. EST
@ Playground Detroit
The nonprofit Coaching Detroit Forward is excited to invite you to a Photography Exhibition and Perspectives Magazine 2024 Launch Party!
The event celebrates the photos captured by Detroit high school students in Coaching Detroit Forward's Beginner and Advanced Photography Camps. Attendees will have an opportunity to view photos on exhibit at Playground Detroit, a Detroit gallery space. Perspectives Magazine 2024, produced in partnership with The Detroit Writing Room, will also be released at the event. The magazine features students' photos of downtown Detroit, nature, people, events and more.
The magazine will be available for purchase and photos on display will be auctioned. There will be appetizers and drinks to enjoy while admiring the students' work. Remarks by coaches will be made at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets:
This event is free to attend for CDF students, parents, coaches, CDF partners and Detroit Writing Room members. We kindly request that the public make a minimum $10 donation to CDF when registering for a ticket. Space is limited! Tickets are first come, first serve! Registration closes at 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2024.
Writing is Rewriting: Digging Deep into Revisions
Tuesday, Nov. 19 2024
7 - 8 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing is rewriting — even after you’ve signed with an agent. Tackling a revision can be daunting and looks like an entirely different form of writer’s block. From revising on your own to revising with an agent for submission, literary agent Monica Rodriguez will dive into some tools that can help conquer your next revision. In this virtual workshop she'll also discuss strategies on how to process feedback so that revising feels less intimidating. The last 15 minutes will be dedicated to answering your questions. Whatever is blocking your next revision, let’s unravel it together. Early bird tickets are $60 until Oct. 19.
Writing Group
For Writing Room Members Only
Nov. 25, 2024
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 10 pages double spaced to get feedback on a written work. The first 10 to 15 minutes are dedicated to reading work. Coach Laura and the group then offer constructive feedback. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. The group is virtual only in 2024. Must be a member to receive the Zoom link.
DECEMBER
Shop & Talk:
Activate Your GoddessPower with Elizabeth Ann Atkins
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024
5:30-7 p.m. EST
@ The Peacock Room
Ladies, it’s time to live bigger, better and bolder to manifest your heart’s wildest desires, personally and professionally. Learn how during this empowering and interactive evening as Elizabeth Ann Atkins shares life-shifting insights from her new books,"The Biss Tribe: Where You Activate Your GoddessPower" and "The Biss Tribe: Where You Activate Your GoddessPleasure."
Elizabeth Ann Atkins is co-founder of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing®, an Emmy-nominated TV show host and a certified meditation teacher. In the beautiful lobby of the Fisher Building, Elizabeth will lead a guided meditation and writing exercises from the books that help each woman activate the infinite energy within herself to rule her personal and/or professional empire from a throne of power wearing a crown of confidence.
Women can enter to win free giveaways — including a tiara! — and shop for clothing, jewelry and gifts in The Peacock Room, a co-host of this event. Participants can also meet co-host Stephanie Steinberg, who will talk about the robust offerings for readers and writers at The Detroit Writing Room and The New York Writing Room. Women will leave this experience inspired by empowering techniques, along with holiday gifts for themselves and others: books, clothing, jewelry, and gift cards for the writers on their lists. General admission is $10. Space is limited to 30 guests.
Writing Your Own Hero’s Journey
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
1-3 p.m. EST
Virtual
What does "Star Wars," "Harry Potter" and "Spider-Man" all have in common? They follow the Hero's Journey! High school students interested in crafting a victorious adventure story are invited to join us for a virtual workshop on Dec. 7. The workshop taught by educator Blake Pynnonen will start with a primer on the Hero’s Journey, particularly as it pertains to the concept of “monomyth” — that many of the world’s most popular stories follow the same plot points. Students will get a chance to discuss how their favorite stories, whether from comic books, movies, mythology, religious texts or other sources, follow the structures of the Hero’s Journey.
During the workshop, students will see examples of writing that follows the “Hero’s Journey” structure. They'll then be encouraged to start writing their own “Hero’s Journey” stories, starting with facilitated brainstorming, prewriting, drafting and sharing sessions. Students will leave the session with foundational knowledge of the Hero’s Journey and a basis to write a personal narrative, which can be be dramatized or fictionalized. General admission is $45. A few spaces are reserved for Detroit high school students to attend for free via Coaching Detroit Forward.
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.