Detroit Writing Room

01/29/2025

Last call to register! Local high school students are invited to join our College Application Essay Writing Workshop in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan - GSSEM!

📅 When: Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025
⏰ Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST
📍 Where: Detroit, Michigan (location shared upon registration)
💵 Cost: $135 for Girl Scouts, $162 for non-Girl Scouts

Bring a college essay prompt or use a common application prompt provided. The workshop taught by Danielle Alexander includes a notebook, pen and snacks. Attendees should bring a laptop or iPad.

Registration closes Friday at 1 p.m. Reserve your spot now at gssem.org/en/sf-events-repository/2025/workshop--college-essay-writing-with-the-detroit-writing-room--s.html

01/29/2025

Ready to pitch your manuscript? Learn how to secure the right literary agent in this virtual panel with agents Justin Brouckaert and Monica Rodriguez, moderated by Detroit Writing Room founder Stephanie Steinberg.

When: Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025
Time: 6:30–7:45 p.m. EST
Where: Virtual

Topics include finding, querying and working with agents. The last 15 minutes will be a Q&A.

Register now at eventbrite.com/e/how-to-find-a-literary-agent-tickets-1108878047089?aff=oddtdtcreator.

01/28/2025

Join us for a book talk and signing with award-winning author Bridgett M. Davis!

Bridgett is releasing her new memoir “Love, Rita” this March! The powerful memoir tells the story about her beloved sister, Rita, and their journey from childhood rivalry to best friends.

Moderated by Kat Stafford, global race and justice editor at Reuters and a Coaching Detroit Forward Journalism Camp coach, the event will include a Q&A and raffle opportunities.

Location:
27th Letter Books

Tickets:
Suggested minimum $15 donation. Proceeds will support scholarships for Detroit students to attend our summer Journalism Camp!

Register: eventbrite.com/e/book-talk-signing-with-author-bridgett-m-davis-tickets-1209225689589?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/28/2025

Our Writing Group is kicking off the year strong! Tonight, these writers shared snippets of books they're working on as well as short stories and personal essays.

We want to thank all the Writing Room members who participated (a few headed out before we got a Zoom photo) and DWR coach Laura Berman for leading the group! We can't wait to watch your characters and stories develop over this year!

01/23/2025

Hot off the press! EL CENTRAL Hispanic News featured our summer Journalism Camp opportunity for Detroit youth in today's print edition!

Read all about it: https://elcentralmedia.com/2025-summer-journalism-camp/

Apply to attend the camp: detroitwritingroom.com/journalism-camp

Explore journalism at Detroit Writing Room’s Summer Camp 2025! Learn reporting, storytelling, & writing from top journalists. Scholarships available—apply now!

01/22/2025

Join us Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. EST for The Art of Poetry: A Virtual Open Mic Night Experience!

Proceeds will benefit the LAPL Palisades Branch Recovery Fund – launched by the Los Angeles Public Library and The Library Foundation of Los Angeles to aid people impacted by the LA fires. The Palisades Branch Library was among the buildings destroyed in the fire.

DWR house poet Krystalle Hill-Heal is hosting the open mic night experience. All poets, singer-songwriters and storytellers nationwide are welcome to participate.

Registration is a suggested $10 donation that will support the LAPL Palisades Branch Recovery Fund and aid in emergency relief assistance and support services for the community.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-poetry-a-virtual-open-mic-night-experience-tickets-1207657820049?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/21/2025

There's still time to register for Marketing for Authors tomorrow at 7 p.m. with Lynne Golodner!

Course Takeaways:
🖊Start to form ideas for your author brand
🖊Learn about the various marketing channels and start to consider which ones feel most fun for you
🖊Gain confidence in your ability to make choices for your publishing journey
🖊Begin to brainstorm a marketing strategy for your books
🖊And more!

Sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marketing-for-authors-tickets-1034008085017?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/21/2025

📰 Journalism Camp 2025 applications are now open! 📰

Are you a high school student interested in expanding your writing, reporting and research skills? Do you have a special interest in the climate, health or environment in your community? Or do you simply enjoy storytelling and writing about issues you care about?

The Detroit Writing Room’s 2025 Summer Journalism Camp in partnership with Coaching Detroit Forward and Planet Detroit is for you!

The two-week day camp will be held this July at Wayne State University’s Journalism Institute for Media Diversity. Students will learn from over 25 Detroit Writing Room coaches and award-winning journalists!

This year’s camp is in partnership with Planet Detroit, a nonprofit news outlet that covers important stories about environmental, public health and social justice topics in Detroit. Each day, students will learn from journalists covering these beats and participate in interactive workshops and real-world reporting exercises.

Over the two weeks, students will report and write a story focused on an environmental, health or equity topic they choose. Each student will have their article published online at planetdetroit.org and printed in the 2025 edition of Perspectives Magazine.

The camp includes daily lunch, snacks, laptops, writing materials and more!

✨Scholarship Opportunities✨
Students who attend a Detroit high school or live in Detroit are eligible to apply for a scholarship to attend the camp free of charge.

These scholarships are made possible by Coaching Detroit Forward donors, a Michigan Environmental Council award and sponsors, including The Rotary Club of Detroit, Automotive Press Association, Detroit Chapter-National Association of Black Journalists and Society of Professional Journalists / Detroit.

📝 Apply by May 2 at detroitwritingroom.com/journalism-camp.

01/20/2025

Did you know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the first version of his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech in Detroit?

On June 23, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before thousands at Cobo Hall (now Huntington Place) in Detroit and delivered a powerful speech during the Detroit Walk to Freedom. His speech keeps reminding us of the city’s rich history of activism and resilience.

As we honor MLK day, let’s continue to use our voices and actions to create a future rooted in equality, hope, and justice.

01/18/2025

Introducing a new Writing Room spotlight: “What We’re Reading!”

We’ll periodically share what our Writing Coaches and members are writing and reading! First up is a fun column by DWR coach and Detroit Free Press columnist Neal Rubin!

His latest piece tells the story of Detroit kicker Jake Bates and his fiancée, Presley Folkerts, as they navigate their journey to marriage.

"Having not seen one another for five years, according to their timeline on The Knot, they reconnected at a party in February 2022, and the rest is a Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro vacuum ($269.99, purchased) and an OXO stainless steel pizza wheel ($17.95, still need)."

🗞️Read the full story and explore the uncertainty of NFL life and love at https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/neal-rubin/2025/01/11/lions-kicker-jake-bates-wedding-registry-shows-restraint-as-leaps-of-faith-rewarded/77592951007/

Neal is also available for one-on-one coaching. Book a session with him at detroitwritingroom.com/coaches and you’ll learn how to transform something simple like a wedding registry into a full story!

01/17/2025

Meet Atkins and Catherine Greenspan! As founders of Two Sisters Writing & Publishing, they’ve helped publish nearly 60 books, including memoirs for notable figures like former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and former American Red Cross president Bernadine Healy.

Join us Monday, March 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. EST for a virtual workshop, “How to Get Your Book Published.” Learn about traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid publishing options. Elizabeth will share her experience as a bestselling author with 40 books published across all three methods.

Early bird tickets are $40 until Feb. 3. Don’t miss this interactive and high-energy session! Secure your spot now at eventbrite.com/e/how-to-get-your-book-published-tickets-1109358263429?aff=oddtdtcreator.

01/16/2025

Meet Lynne Golodner! An award-winning, bestselling author and marketing expert, Lynne is here to help authors master the art of marketing.

Join us Wednesday, Jan. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. EST for a virtual workshop, “Marketing for Authors.” Learn how to build a compelling author brand, navigate various marketing channels, and create a strategy that makes your books stand out to readers.

Get tickets now at eventbrite.com/e/marketing-for-authors-tickets-1034008085017?aff=oddtdtcreator.

01/15/2025

There's still time to get tickets for our virtual opinion writing workshop tonight with Ken Davidoff! Registration closes at 6 p.m. EST!

Win your argument with the power of the pen. Journalist Ken Davidoff will share best opinion writing practices in a virtual workshop.

01/14/2025

Join us for a monthly writing group led by Coach Laura Berman! The next two meetings will be virtual Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 from 7 - 8:30 P.M.! This is your opportunity to connect with fellow writers, share your work and receive constructive feedback in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Participants are welcome to share up to two pages of a written piece for feedback from Laura and the group. Whether you’re seeking advice on structure, tone or flow, this is the perfect chance to refine your craft.

To RSVP and receive the Zoom link, visit detroitwritingroom.com/events. See you there!

01/13/2025

Meet Ken Davidoff! With 29 years of experience as a Major League Baseball journalist for outlets like The New York Post and appearances on ESPN, CNN and MLB Network, Ken brings professional expertise to opinion writing.

Join us Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. EST for our virtual workshop, “The Art of Opinion Writing.” Ken will guide you through crafting compelling arguments that inform, persuade, and captivate, while sharing insider tips on structure, tone and anticipating counterarguments.

Get your tickets now at eventbrite.com/e/the-art-of-opinion-writing-tickets-1058861777079?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/12/2025

Heading to the Detroit Auto Show this Thursday? Detroit Writing Room coach Bill Vlasic will be moderating a fireside chat Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. during the Mobility Global Forum!

The topic is "Welding Data, Not Just Steel: How Digital Transformation is Reshaping Automotive Talent."

Bill will be joined by Ancor Automotive CEO Jose Flores and Stanson & Co. founder Ted Serbinski. Learn more at detroitautoshow.com/mobility-global-forum/

01/07/2025

We're raffling off a copy of Lynne Golodner's new book at our Marketing for Authors workshop led by Lynne on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. EST!

Anyone who attends the workshop will be entered in a raffle to win!

"Forest Walk on a Friday" contains 28 essays articulating the ache of lost love, embarking on a soul journey to find happiness alone on a mountaintop, making peace with the loss of a father and examining what work is.

During the virtual workshop, you'll learn how to build a compelling and consistent author brand and how to create a marketing strategy you'll enjoy implementing.

Register for the workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marketing-for-authors-tickets-1034008085017?aff=oddtdtcreator

01/07/2025

We're excited to partner with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan - GSSEM to offer our College Application Essay Writing Workshop on Feb. 2 in 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! We'll cover potential topics to write about, best practices for structuring your essay and more! Danielle will also answer any questions you have about the application process.

The 9 a.m. to noon workshop includes a notebook, pen and snacks. Attendees should bring a laptop or iPad to work on.

Not a Girl Scout? High school students can still register to attend! Registration closes Jan. 20, 2025 or until spots fill up!

Visit detroitwritingroom.com/events to register and learn more!