Writing Happenings in Michigan

Well I have done that passionate writerly pursuit of procrastination and thus have not posted writing events in Michigan for longer than I can remember. I have a myriad of excuses including the publication of my first novel Ula:Born of Shadows, a move down state, a new job doing copy writing and SEO for a local realtor among other things. In truth, I have allowed many of my writing endeavors to slide into the gutter where they've festered with banana peels and coffee grounds.

Since my own 2012 writing goals include attending writing events, book signings and marketing - no matter how much the recluse in me wants merely to draw the curtains and read one of my tattered Stephen King novels, ice cream stained and dog-eared to tatters. So let's do this together, this social writing stuff. Find writing events in Michigan below...

A Rally for Writers: Delta Township (Lansing Area): April 14th

• Day long writing conference with 16 sessions including writers, poets, teachers, editors and publishers discussing writing. Cost: $70 

WSU 7th Annual Made in Michigan Writers Series: Wayne State University: April 17th

• Features new books from Michigan authors, author readings and book signings. 

Mid Michigan Romance Writers 'Retreat from Harsh Reality': April 27-29

• Romance writers retreat featuring guest authors, workshops, critiques and more. 

Peninsula Writers Spring Fling: Grand Rapids: May 5th 

• Day long writing conference at Schuler Books on the topic publishing. 

Grant Writing Class: Detroit: May 3-4 

• Learn to write grants. For beginning and experienced grant writers. Cost: $425 

Bear River Writer's Conference: Camp Michigania: May 31-June 4

• Workshops in fiction, poetry, memoir and essay. 

Author Signings: Since there are so many of these, I have simply linked to a variety of Michigan book stores where you can meet authors and purchase signed books. Check them out and support your writing comrades. 

Nicola's Books: Ann Arbor 

Horizon Books: Traverse City, Petoskey and Cadillac 

Literary Life Bookstore: Grand Rapids 

Kazoo Books: Kalamazoo 

Bestsellers Books and Coffee: Mason 

Mclean & Eakin Bookstore: Petoskey 

The road to ignorance is paved with good editors.

- George Bernard Shaw

Writing Events and Contests

Generally, I like to divide these categories up, but to streamline this post, I'm going to bring you events and contests at once. 

Michigan Writer's Events

Ann Arbor: The Author's Forum Presents Ghost Writers: Dec. 7th 

Ann Arbor: Meet Several Local Authors, such as Jonathan Rand, in December at Nicola's Books. 

Detroit Area: Visit the Motown Writer's Network Monthly Calendar to see a variety of writing groups and events in the Detroit Metro area.

Lyons: Leaven Center presents The Sacred in Everyday Life: A Writing Workshop for Women: January 13-15

Marquette: Visit the Regional Author Extravaganza at Snowbound Books in December 

Writing Contests

Beecher Magazine Fiction and Poetry Contest: Deadline Dec. 7

Hunger Mountain Ruth Stone Poetry Contest 

Crab Creek Review Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 15 

Toasted Cheese Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 21 

Bayou Magazine Fiction and Poetry Contest: Deadline Dec. 31

Boulevard Short Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 31

River Styx Micro-Fiction Contest: Deadline Dec. 31

Gemini Magazine Poetry Contest: Deadline Jan 3 

Diore Press Fiction and Poetry Chapbook Contest: Jan. 9 

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it; Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Reminder: Upcoming Writer's Workshops and Events

Hey writers - I just wanted to remind everyone that there are some great writing events happening in Michigan in the very near future.


Interlochen Writers Retreat
From their site: In the beautiful Writing House, intimate workshops offer insight into your writing process. Writers will learn to sharpen images, improve dialogue, explore metaphors, grow a style and voice of their own and gain practical information on how to submit work. 


Ann Arbor Book Festival has a variety of June events for writers.


Veterans Writing Workshop.
From their site: Beginning July 17, Barbara Simpson (A Different Kind of Writers Group) will offer a free writing workshop for military veterans and current service members at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan.


The U.P. Book Tour kicks off June 23rd. There are more than 60 writers and 50 events in 30 days. 


Sizzlin Summer Social Media Workshops in the Detroit Area


Learn How to Write, Illustrate and Publish a Children's Book on Mackinaw Island with author Charles F. Barker; June 26th-29th.

Writers Events April 2011

Hey writers I just wanted to post a few writing events occurring this month. 


Traverse City: Writer's Potluck: April 7th:
Sorry for the last minute post on this, but for writers in the Traverse City area, Michigan Writers is hosting its annual Spring Potluck tomorrow Thursday April 7th at 6 pm. The location is the Unitarian Universalist Church on Center Road in Traverse City, MI. 

Ludington: Chapbook Release: Friday April 8th:
 Ludington Center for the Arts is introducing two new chapbooks by Ludington area writers. 


Livonia: Michigan Spring Book Festival: Friday and Saturday April 15th and 16th:
Aimed at educating and encouraging youth to read and author books, this festival will bring together hundreds of book writers, role models and teachers of the literary craft. 


Ludington: Story on Stage II: Friday April 22nd:
Story on Stage (SOS) is a program of readings of contemporary short stories written by Michigan writers, but read by actors rather than by the writer.


Traverse City: National Writers Series Presents An Evening with Made in Michigan Writers: Thusday April 28th: