The Detroit Writing Room Newsletter: Chapter 15

Introducing our new nonprofit... We recently received 501(c)(3) status for our new nonprofit arm! We are excited to introduce you to Coaching Detroit Forward, a nonprofit that will be coaching Detroit high school students in writing, photography, graphic design and other creative fields. Award-winning local journalists, authors, communications professionals, photographers and designers from The Detroit Writing Room will be teaching students and sharing their expertise through summer camps, workshops and after-school programs. Our programs will launch this summer with a journalism and photography camp for Detroit high school students from the Communication and Media Arts High School, Detroit Leadership Academy and other Detroit schools.  To ensure the camps are free for students to attend, we are seeking support to cover the cost of: Laptops Cameras Lunch for students Bus transportation Coaches compensation We're also seeking companies, foundations or individuals to sponsor students to attend the camps. If you're interested, you can read more at detroitwritingroom.com/coaching-detroit-forward. Coaching Detroit Forward is also a registered charity on AmazonSmile, so please consider choosing us as your charity of choice. A portion of your Amazon purchases will help support our summer camps! Sign up here. Thanks for helping us coach the next generation of journalists, writers, photographers, designers and creatives! Have questions? Email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com. DONATE TO COACHING DETROIT FORWARD Creative Holiday Gift Idea This season, give a unique gift to a budding writer, photographer, designer or podcaster! We offer Detroit Writing Room coaching gift certificates! Coaching gift certificates can be redeemed for an hour session with any of our coaches! Our professional coaches can help your loved one or friend with their book, script, speech, website, photography, resume, grant or even podcast. Order your gift card online, or come pick up a gift certificate in person! Gift certificates are $75 per coaching session. BUY GIFT CERTIFICATE Detroit Writing Room Speakers Series The Detroit Writing Room is launching a Speakers Series in 2020! We're excited to bring you a new monthly event! Each month will focus on a theme. There will be a meet-and-greet with the panelists, drinks, a lively discussion and opportunity to ask questions! Join us for our first Detroit Writing Room Speakers Series featuring top Metro Detroit podcasters on Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m.! Podcasters Shannon Cason of Homemade Stories, Robin Kinnie of Motor City Woman Studios, Zak Rosen of Graham Media Group, Joe Saul-Sehy of Stacking Benjamins, Rebecca Scarcello of The D Brief and Jon Gay of JAG in Detroit will share how they built their shows, followings and careers in podcasting. If you're an aspiring podcaster or want to grow your own podcast, you don't want to miss this! Tickets are $35. Drinks are included.  GET TICKETS Upcoming Events We have several workshops, book talks and events you don't want to miss! DECEMBER Write! Camera! Action! A Book Launch Celebration & Networking Experience Dec. 18 from 6:30-9 p.m. The Detroit Writing Room and Trusum Visions Publishing are excited to present a spectacular night of cocktails, networking and the official release of "All the Reasons I Hate My 28-Year-Old Boss" by Phillip Andrew Barbb. This red carpet night will offer an opportunity to connect with Metro Detroit writers and professionals. There will also be a meet-and-greet and book signing with author Phillip Andrew Barbb, music, open bar as well as a very special guest appearance. It will be a night you will not want to miss as Hollywood meets Motown. General admission is free. Register here.  "Improv in the D" NYE Show Ring in 2020 with laughs, drinks and more laughs! Planet Ant Theatre is coming to downtown Detroit to perform a laugh-so-hard-you-start-to-cry improv show on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m. Enjoy an open bar served by Sumptuous Spirits, sit back and laugh the the rest of 2019 away. Special offer: Show your ticket to our neighbor Eatori Market and get 15% off your bill on NYE!  GET TICKETS JANUARY Creating Mindfulness in the New Year Jan. 4 from 12:30-2 p.m. Start the year off right by learning mindfulness techniques to keep you stress-free in 2020. In this workshop led by mindfulness meditation instructor Erin Covert, you will learn easy and practical techniques to apply mindfulness to your everyday life. Topics include meditation, journaling, mantras and more. Each student will receive a free journal and workbook. Early bird tickets are $35 until Dec. 23. Register here.  New Year, New You Headshot Special Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Start the new year off with a new headshot that will empower you to go after your goals and aspirations in 2020! Professional photographer Brett Mountain is offering a $99 headshot special at The Detroit Writing Room. Each 20-minute session includes 1 retouched image. Additional images will be available for purchase. Detroit Blows will also be on-site to offer full face makeup. Register here.  Yoga for Writers  Jan. 11, Feb. 8 & March 14 from 10 a.m. to noon We're offering Yoga for Writers one Saturday a month in January, February and March! Whether you're brand new to your mat or you've been practicing for years, everyone can benefit from this all-levels yoga class taught by Lindsay Madison. Immediately following our yoga session you'll receive a complimentary notebook to participate in our guided journaling experience. The combination of yoga and journaling is designed to elevate your writing and provide clarity so you can access your authentic voice. Sign up for one or all three classes by Dec. 31, and you'll get a special discount. Register here.  See all upcoming events and workshops at detroitwritingroom.com/events. Grant Writing Coach Spotlight: Melinda Clynes Melinda Clynes is sparked by learning, compelled by mission-driven work and always has many plates in the air. She has worked as a freelance writer, marketing consultant and project manager in a variety of nonprofit, corporate and media environments in Metro Detroit for more than 25 years. Items in her communications portfolio include web content; development materials, including grants; brochures; bios; annual reports; and direct mail and promotional projects. She also writes features for local and national publications, including Model D, Next City, Crain's Detroit Business, Rapid Growth and HOUR Detroit. From 2012-2018, she was editor of Michigan Nightlight, an online source of news and innovative solutions for those who care about Michigan kids. When not working, Melinda likes dancing at music festivals, riding her circa-1974 Schwinn Suburban (rescued from her parent's garage days before it was headed to the curb), sampling heavily hopped beer and hanging upside down from aerial apparatuses. Sign up with Melinda for grant writing, newsletters, website copy, professional bios and copy editing here. See all DWR coaches at detroitwritingroom.com/coaches. BECOME A DETROIT WRITING ROOM MEMBER Sign up for a membership today to get unlimited access to the co-working space, discounts on workshops and coaching, guest passes, coffee, wi-fi and a community you won't find anywhere else! "Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences." -- Sylvia Plath Copyright © 2019 The Detroit Writing Room LLC, All rights reserved. Address: 1514 Washington Boulevard, Suite 203, Detroit, MI 48226 Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Email: hello@detroitwritingroom.com