Writing in Michigan

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Events in Michigan for Writing and For Fun

I went skiing last weekend and I was reminded why it is so important for writers to experience the world. It is through all of our senses that we write the words that create the story. To write of winter, I must feel the cold breath of falling snow, see it glitter in yawning waves, taste its vanishing wetness and hear the silence that accompanies it after it has smothered all of the rustling on the forest floor. I live in the snow and I can speak of the joys and sorrows that accompany such a beautiful but often barren, landscape.

I suggest to all of you writers to get out into the world. Don't let the blistering winds and knee-deep snow drifts deter you from experiencing this glorious planet. Look below for a whole slew of activities from writing events to art classes that get you out of the house and into the realm of sensation.

Writing Classes and Workshops

Learn to Writer Love Letters: Virgil Carr Cultural Center in Detroit: Feb. 10th at 6PM

NMC Extended Ed Writing Courses: Classes range from Broadcast Journalism to Writing as a Means to Heal: Traverse City (Times Vary)

LCC Continuing Education Classes include Memoir Writing, How To Write for Magazines and Others: Spring of 2011 in Lansing (Dates and Times Vary)

Springfed Arts Winter Writing Workshops (Times and Locations Vary Beginning in Feb.)

826 Michigan Writing Workshops for Kids and Teens: (Times and Locations Vary)

Author Readings and Signings

Book Signing and Author Talk with True Crime Writer John Timmerman: @ Schuler Books in Grand Rapids: Feb. 8th at 7PM

Support Debut Author Courtney Allison Moulton at her launch party for Angelfire: @ Schuler Books in Lansing: Feb. 19th at 2PM

Horizon Books Author Signings with Linda Rau from 12pm to 2pm and Marie Cook from 2pm to 4pm: Saturday December 5th in Traverse City

Aunt Agatha's Books: Saturday, February 12 at 2 p.m. meet authors Barbara D'Amato, Sharon Fiffer and Vicki Delany, when they talk about and sign their new books: Ann Arbor

Launch Party for Gaylord Author Mary Backlund: @ Saturn Booksellers in Gaylord: Thursday Feb. 24th

Several Events at Kazoo Books in Kalamazoo including Discussions that explore Black History, The World of Children's Books: Writing, Editing and Publishing, and Author Signings (Dates and Times Vary)

Fun Stuff to Do

Art Class- Winter Landscapes in Oils: Feb. 5th and 12th in Brighton

Box Factory for the Arts: Lots of awesome art-centric activities from writers' groups to valentine making: St. Joseph, MI (Dates and Times Vary)

Traverse City Comedy Festival: Feb. 10-13 in Traverse City

Cherry Capital Winter Wow Fest: Feb. 18th - 21st in Traverse City

An Evening with the Writers of Mad Men: Feb. 3rd (Today!) @ 7PM: Traverse City Opera House

7th Annual Midwest Hip Hop Summit: Feb. 4th and 5th: Ann Arbor

Body N' Soul Wellness Expo: Feb. 11th in Mount Clemens

Crystal Mountain - Mardi Gras on the Mountain: March 5th at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville

Detroit's Winter Blast: Feb. 11th thru 14th in Detroit

Mark Your Calendars for Future Writing Events

National Dzanc Workshop Day : Date- 04/09/11 : Two separate workshops - one in Royal Oak and one in Ann Arbor

Grant Writing Class: May 5th and 6th 2011 - Detroit

Monday, January 31, 2011

Writing Jobs for Monday Jan. 31st

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Proofreader/Editor: Ann Arbor

Writer Wanted: Ann Arbor

Technical Writer/Analyst: Auburn Hills

Ghost Writer: Detroit

Staff Writer/Reporter: Detroit

Contracts and Technical Info. Writer: Detroit

Research Assistant/Protocol Writer: Detroit (Wayne State)

Technical Writer: Farmington Hills

News Writer/Producer: Grand Rapids

Secretary/Service Writer: Houghton Lake

Copy Writer: Kalamazoo

Web Writer: Keego Harbor

Customs Entry Writer: Southfield

Technical Writer: Traverse City

Telecommute (From Home)

Contributing Editors for the Digital Astronaut

Transcriber Fluent in English and Spanish

Science and Technology Blogger

Help Writing Book: Southfield/Telecommute

Baseball Website Writers

Blogger and Webmaster Survey

Bloggers/Reviewers/Writers

Elementary Science Writers

Create Sales Manual

Jamaica Travel Writer and Blogger

Art History Writer

Freelance Copywriter

Editor/Writer for Design-Construction Website

American Idol Blogger

If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster. ~Isaac Asimov

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Writing Jobs for Thursday Jan. 27th

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Recreational Dealership Service Writer: Adrian

Lawn and Garden Service Writer: Adrian

Technical Writer/Web Content: Ann Arbor

CR Writer: Bay City

Technical Writer/Web Content: Commerce

Senior Technical Writer: Dearborn

Writer/Blogger: Detroit Metro

Contracts and Technical Info. Writer: Detroit

Grant Writer: Flint

Resume Writing Help: Grand Blanc

Business Plan Editor: South Lyon

Technical Writer: Southfield

Customs Entry Writer: Southfield

Technical Editor: Warren

Telecommute (From Home)

Baseball and Social Media Blogging

Entertainment Writers

Writers that are Cheap, Thrifty etc.

Jewish Women Foodies, Party Planners and Crafters for Blog

Proofreader Wanted

Fiction Novel Editor

Creative Writer Contributions (unpaid)

Boutique Agency Seeks Freelance Writer/Editor

E-Book Ghostwriter

Editors

Writing is a way of talking without being interrupted.

~Jules Renard, Journal, 10 April 1895

Monday, January 24, 2011

Book Group in Traverse City

Hi Writers! We have some interest in starting a book group in Traverse City. If anyone is interested in joining this group, please let me know by e-mail or comment below. Book groups are great for writers because they give you an incentive to read outside of your typical genre, talk and analyze published novels and meet readers. Readers give you their specific insight, which may not be the same as your perspective as a reader. Additionally, book groups help writers, who often work in solitude, meet other people, make friends and network. What writer couldn't use a group of people who love to read? Perhaps they will be the same friends providing crucial feedback on that novel or article you've written.

Check out this article in the Huffington Post called: Why Writers Need Book Groups.

If you're looking to start a book group (in any location) let me know and I will try to help you find other writers, or just readers, who want to join. Also consider putting a post on Craig's List or putting the word out through Facebook or other social networking sites. Good luck and I hope to hear from you. -J.R.

Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.

~William Hazlitt

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Writing Jobs for Sunday Jan. 23rd

Writing Jobs in Michigan

Writing Content: Ann Arbor

Grant Writer: Ann Arbor

Sports Writer: Bay City

Social Media Community Writer: Brighton

Arabic Language Lesson Creator: Dearborn

WHOA Magazine Writers: Detroit

Writer and Consultant: Detroit

Account Exec./Grant Writer: Detroit

Contracts and Technical Information Writer: Detroit

Enthusiastic Automotive Copywriter: Farmington Hills

Opinionated Green Tech Writer: Grand Rapids

Logistic Engineer/ Technical Writer: Kingsford

Technical Writer: Lansing

Freelance Writers: Milan

English to German Translators: Troy

Medical Technical Writer: Traverse City

Real Estate Writer: Southeastern MI

Desktop Publisher: Warren

Telecommute/From Home

Web Research Assistant/Editor

Review Writers Needed

Interior Design and Home Furnishing Expert

Write "Best 5" Lists

Native English Speaking Writer/Editor

Organic Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Market Research Analyst

Experienced Freelance Writers

Entertainment Journalists

Experienced Freelancer for HR/CSR Website

Ink on paper is as beautiful to me as flowers on the mountains; God composes, why shouldn't we? ~Terri Guillemets

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Writer's Fellowships and Residencies

It can be challenging to write creatively when you're buried in housework, kids, spousal expectations, work woes and just the many components of life. However, writers' residencies and fellowships offer individuals a chance to escape the stresses of their current reality and find writing solace in a space designed only for that. Residencies range from days to months, but their purpose is the same: to give writers the time and space to get creative without having to pay the bills. Of course, most writers will still have bills to pay elsewhere, but consider applying for a residency or fellowship anyway. It is gift for the writer within you and the community that benefits from your work.

Many of these programs are outside of Michigan, but just consider it a vacation with benefits.

The Fab Fiber Fellowship at the Dairy Hollow Writer's Colony (Arkansas)

Varuna Fellowships for Writing Retreats 2011

Jack Kerouac Writer in Residence Program (Florida)

Winter Creative Residencies in Chicago

Fishtrap Fellowships (Oregon)

National Park Service: Artists-In-Residence (all over)

The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers

Soul Mountain Retreat Residencies (CT)

Ragdale Residency Program (Illinois)

Writers in the Heartland Residencies

University of Wisconsin- Fellowships in Poetry and Fiction (must have an MFA)