The Detroit writing community like many others across the globe had to adjust to virtual readings, discussions, and teachings. Writing events in Detroit 2023 are a taste of the transformation a new year can bring if we all join together to support the cultural arts scene. Not to mention, these events are an enriching opportunity for writers and poets of various ages and stages.
Detroitisit rounded up a list of upcoming writing events in Detroit that should inspire Detroit writers to be more involved in the writing community and to keep creating! The Detroit Writing Room has much to offer, but there’s more. 2023 is the year to finish up a project you started.
INSIDEOUT VISITING WRITERS SERIES: JOSE ALVAREZ
Date & Time: Sat Jan 14, 2023, at 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Check out the free writing events in Detroit in the new year. for a poetry reading with Visiting Writer José Olivarez. InsideOut Literary Arts’ Visiting Writer Series is an opportunity to hear work from nationally-renowned writers and Detroit’s youth poets. José Olivarez is the son of Mexican immigrants. His debut book of poems, Citizen Illegal, was a finalist for the PEN/ Jean Stein Award and a winner of the 2018 Chicago Review of Books Poetry Prize. There will also be a free lunch and writing workshop for *teens only* (no registration required). Click HERE for more information.
Location: Scarab Club, 217 Farnsworth St., Detroit
THE DETROIT WRITING ROOM
2023 DWR AUTHOR SERIES, PHOTO THE DETROIT WRITING ROOM
Writing events in Detroit are getting intimate and in-person again! Mark your calendars for the list of upcoming the Detroit Writing Room events and programs. Did you know the DWR has over 30 professional writing coaches? They also host book talks, writing, workshops, and literary events. The author series also includes e-meet-and-greets with high-profile authors, book talks, signings, and more.
2023 DWR AUTHOR SERIES
Featured 2023 authors include:
● January 25 – Wayne State University President Dr. M. Roy Wilson, The Plum Tree Blossoms Even in Winter
● February 22 – City of Detroit Arts and Culture Director Rochelle Riley, That They Lived:
African Americans Who Changed the World
● March 29 – Columbia University assistant professor of pediatrics Dr. Rebekah Diamond,
Parent Like a Pediatrician
● April 26 – ProPublica investigative reporter Andy Kroll, A Death on W Street
● May 31 – Honorable Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, Just Watch Me
● June 28 – Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist Desiree Cooper, Nothing Special
PHOTO PIERRE BAMIN / UNSPLASH
TICKET INFO FOR THE AUTHOR SERIES:
Single tickets are $60, which includes appetizers and one glass of wine, Champagne, or beer. The 2023 Author Series Pass can be purchased to attend all six events for $300 (a $60 discount) and receive a 15%
off books. Passes and single tickets may be purchased as gifts for the holidays, birthdays, or other celebratory occasions! Read more about each author, and get tickets HERE. You can also sign up for coaching, memberships, and more.
PHOTO SEVEN SHOOTER / UNSPLASH
ELMWOOD PARK BOOK CLUB
Date & Time:
Sat Feb 18 2023 at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Join in person or via Zoom. Elmwood Park Branch Library is the largest library system in Michigan. The Elmwood Park Book Club will be discussing Black Bottom Saints by Alice Randall. Click HERE or HERE to learn more about this free book club event and to receive a Zoom link to join.
Location: Elmwood Park Branch Library, 550 Chene, Detroit
THE TUXEDO PROJECT
Perhaps we’ll see more writing events in Detroit if we support the arts and revitalize the city environment. Detroiters may be familiar with Tuxedo Project, which has been around for some time now. This 501c3 non-profit organization’s aim is to restore Detroit’s most isolated neighborhoods by increasing access to resources centered on five anchors of community: the Arts, education, food sustainability, housing security, and economic opportunity. Although it’s uncertain whether there are any new plans in-store, you can still click HERE to learn more.
DETROIT FESTIVAL BOOKS
Stay tuned for The Detroit Festival of Books event in 2023. Detroit Festival of Books is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to promoting the joy of reading and the rich culture surrounding it. You can stay updated on a variety of book-related events happening in & around Detroit as well as other Detroit-related festivities on the Detroit Festival of Books Facebook page HERE.
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