Itinerary
9:30 a.m. - Doors open
9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - Breakfast & Networking
Enjoy coffee, breakfast from La Casa Tabla and networking with writers!
10:15-10:20 a.m.- Welcome from DWR founder Stephanie Steinberg
10:30-Noon
Morning Option 1 - How to Get Your Book Published with Coach Elizabeth Ann Atkins
Learn everything you need to know about how to publish your book at this session with Two Sisters Writing & Publishing. Since founding this independent press, Elizabeth Ann Atkins and her sister Catherine M. Greenspan have published over 70 memoirs, workbooks and novels. This includes memoirs for former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, a former American Red Cross president, several physicians, and even their mother, a retired judge. Elizabeth 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 session armed with everything you need to know to choose the best publishing option for your book.
Morning Option 2 - How to Protect Your Intellect with Attorney April McKie
Attend an engaging and informative intellectual property workshop focused on the essentials of trademarks and copyrights! Whether you're working on one book or a series, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to protect your brand, your content and your vision. The session 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.
Noon to 12:45 p.m. - Lunch & Author Reading
Meet fellow writers over lunch from Olga’s Kitchen in the Literary Lounge. The lunch break will culminate with a reading by Lillien Waller from “Black Summers.”
12:45-2:15 p.m.
Afternoon Option 1 - Marketing for Authors with Coach Lynne Golodner
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 session, 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.
Afternoon Option 2 - Picture Book Training: From Concept to Publication with Coach Amy Nielander
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 session 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.
2:15-2:30 p.m. - Break
2:30-4 p.m.- Finding a Literary Agent with Coaches Justin Brouckaert & Aaron Robertson
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. This session led by two Detroit Writing Room coaches will help alleviate stress and answer all your questions about securing an agent! Literary agent Justin Brouckaert will be joined by editor and Aaron Robertson, author of “The Black Utopians” and an editor who has worked with many agents. During the conversation, the two will cover the best ways to find agents, how to determine the best agent for you, the querying process and what to expect when an agent says “yes” to you!
4-5 p.m. - Pitching to University Presses in Michigan
Want to submit your manuscript to a university press, but don't know where to start or how to catch the eye of an editor? Directors from the Wayne State University Press, University of Michigan Press and Michigan State University Press will offer tips and advice for aspiring authors who want to submit their book proposal and get published. They’ll also share what stories they’re seeking in 2026 and beyond. The conversation moderated by DWR founder Stephanie Steinberg features Wayne State University Press Executive Director Stephanie Williams, Michigan State University Press Executive Director Elizabeth Demers and University of Michigan Press acquiring editor Haley Winkle.
5 - 6 p.m. - Happy Hour Sponsored by Mays Multimedia
Grab a wine or beer and chat with fellow writers, Detroit Writing Room coaches and university press editors!
