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DWR Awards Ceremony
Dec. 8 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Come celebrate the talented poets, screenwriters, children's book authors, novelists and writers of all ages from Metro Detroit at the 2025 Detroit Writing Room Awards! Writers and photographers from the region applied to the awards, and our team of judges narrowed down the finalists in each category. During the ceremony emceed by DWR coach and Detroit Free Press columnist Neal Rubin, you'll find out who takes first, second and third in 9 different categories.
Guests will first enjoy a happy hour with beer, wine and apps. You'll get a chance to mingle with fellow writers and DWR Award judges who are award-winning authors, journalists and photographers as well as DWR and Coaching Detroit Forward coaches.
Plus! Attendees will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win the "Detroit Voices" publication featuring finalists, a Detroit Writing Room membership ($199 value), 2 tickets to Detroit Public Theatre's "Holiday Cabaret," and other prizes!
Pitch Perfect for Writers: How to Sell Your Story to National Media
Oct. 28 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
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. Since going full-time freelance in 2023, Anna has built a robust portfolio from her pitches, ranging from a consequential investigation into a fraudulent postnatal “retreat” for New York Magazine to a colorful feature on sauna culture for the New York Post.
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 on 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.
Photography Exhibition & Perspectives Magazine 2025 Launch Party
Friday, Nov. 14 from 5 - 7 p.m. EST
The Detroit Writing Room and our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward are excited to invite you to a Photography Exhibition and Perspectives Magazine 2025 Launch Party!
The event celebrates the photos captured by Detroit high school students in Coaching Detroit Forward's Beginner and Advanced Photography Camps as well as articles written by teens who attended our Journalism Camp. Attendees will have an opportunity to view photos on exhibit at Playground Detroit, a Detroit gallery space. The annual award-winning Perspectives Magazine will also be released at the event. The magazine features the students' stories focused on health, the environment, social justice and community news as well as students' photos of downtown Detroit, nature, people, events and more.
Photos on display will be auctioned. Proceeds from photos will be split between the student photographer and CDF. There will be appetizers and drinks to enjoy while admiring the students' work.
This event is free to attend for students, parents, coaches, Coaching Detroit Forward partners and Detroit Writing Room members. We kindly request that the public and guests make a minimum $10 donation to CDF.
Copy Editing: What Is It and Why You Should Do It
Nov. 18 from 5-6 p.m. EST
Copy editing is an essential step for any author, but many may not know what exactly it is, and most importantly, the consequences of not copy editing their manuscripts. Pulling from her experience as a book editor, New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez-Cools will lead you through the basics of copy editing and how to avoid some crucial mistakes that could impact your writing careers. This interactive virtual workshop is geared toward nonfiction writers and fiction writers whose stories are set in the real world. Attendees will leave with a tip sheet for copy editing their manuscripts. We also encourage you to come with your copy editing questions! Early bird rate is $35 until Oct. 18.
Writing That Moves People: Exploring Creative Workplace Communications
Jan. 21, 2026 from noon to 1 p.m.
In an age of information overload and rapidly advancing AI platforms, facts alone aren't enough to inspire action. Employees are overwhelmed by company communications, and workplace trust is on a decline. So how can organizations cut through the noise and craft messages (and strategies) that truly inspire, inform and connect? This workshop is designed for leaders and communication professionals who want to break through corporate jargon and connect with employees on a deeper, more human level. Whether you're writing an internal newsletter, a CEO update or leading culture change, this workshop will equip you with creative strategies to communicate with authenticity and impact.
The workshop is led by Jen Williams, a writer and award-winning communications leader based in Metro Detroit. With nearly 14 years of experience shaping executive and internal communications, Jen brings practical insights and a deep understanding of how communication drives culture and employee behavior.