The Detroit Writing Room Newsletter: Chapter 18 via @DETWritingRoom #motownwriters #michiganwriters #michlit

Coming up this week... Join us for The Art of Poetry: An Open Mic Night Experience   Monday, Jan. 20 from 7 - 9 p.m. Our first open mic of 2020 on MLK Day will honor the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Anyone is welcome to share their poetry, songs, music or favorite words from Dr. King. Hosted by Detroit poet Kompozition, participants and the audience will enjoy the art of spoken word.   Cover charge is $10. Or sign up for a package and get 1 open mic night free! Future dates: Feb. 24, March 30 and April 27.  GET TICKETS Speakers Series: Children's Book Authors & Illustrators Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 7 - 9 p.m. Have an idea for a children's book, but don't know where to start? Or you're publishing a storybook and could use some publicity advice from children's lit authors who've been in your shoes? Join us for our second Detroit Writing Room Speakers Series featuring Michigan children's authors and illustrators! Maria Dismondy, Jean Alicia Elster, Amy Nielander, Lisa Rose, David Small and Sarah Stewart will share their publishing journeys as children's book authors as well as tips for aspiring writers and illustrators.  The talk will be moderated by Channel 4 News anchor Devin Scillian, who's authored 19 children's books!  Tickets are $35. Drinks are included, and books will be available for purchase.  GET TICKETS And the Coffee Tasting Winner is... Congrats to the Radical Coffee Project, which won The Detroit Writing Room's 2020 Coffee Lover's Choice Award at our Coffee Tasting Jan. 18! Radical Coffee Project is a nonprofit that sources beans from 50 farmers on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Radical pays a fair price for these beans and also reinvests proceeds back into Guatemalan and Detroit communities through microloans. Since launching in 2009, they've extended $100k in loans to over 3,000 businesses. "We believe our actions should be a force for good, not the other way around," the nonprofit says. "Changing where you get your coffee can empower communities."   Come try Radical Coffee Project while co-working at the DWR! And check out our next tasting — a cupcake tasting on Feb. 22 from 1- 4 p.m. featuring 8 cupcake shops. (Radical Coffee will be available to wash down the frosting!) Early bird cupcake tasting tickets are $10 until Feb. 1. GET TICKETS Join our Writers Circle! Interested in getting in-depth feedback on your written work? Join our Detroit Writing Room Writers Circle to get literary reviews and constructive criticism from fellow writers! The DWR Writers Circle will meet every Tuesday in February from noon to 1 p.m. Writers Circle participants who are not already DWR members will receive passes to work and write in the DWR on the Tuesday meeting dates. Space is limited! Sign up here. Upcoming Events We have several workshops, talks and events you don't want to miss! JANUARY How to Pitch Your Story to the Media Jan. 22 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Want to get your story in the news, but don't know where to start? Join us for an evening with public relations professionals who will share tips and strategies to get your story told in the media. Panelists Ron Fournier, Tatiana Grant, Brianna Neace and Colleen Robar and moderator Jake Serwer will share best practices for sharing news about your business, nonprofit or event. Register here.  Trademark Basics Jan. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Have questions about trademarking a logo or image? This workshop will demystify the trademark. Attorney Erin Bonahoom will explain the purpose of trademark law. She will also cover basic considerations in determining the strength of a proposed trademark and provide an overview of the trademark registration process at the state and federal levels. Register here.  Get Hired: Resume & Interview Essentials Jan. 25 from 11 a.m. to noon  Applying to jobs or internships? HR professional Detroit Writing Room coach Phil Dean will lead a workshop that highlights resume and cover letter essentials, and how to successfully present yourself in a job interview. This workshop is geared toward students looking for their first job and also professionals looking to make a career change. Stick around after the workshop to apply those tips in real time! Phil will be available for 15-minute speed coaching sessions to meet with you one-on-one to polish up that resume and get you ready to get hired. Register here.  Copyright: Protecting Your Work Jan. 27 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.  This copyright workshop led by attorney Erin Bonahoom will cover the basics of copyright law, including the difference between unregistered and registered works, what works may be registered, the process of registration and how joint works are treated and may be protected. You'll also learn about copyright images and what you can and can't publish in a work. Register here.  Business Plan Kickstart: Beginning, Starting and Starting Again Jan. 29 from 5:30 - 8 p.m.  Whether you're just beginning to think about and form your business plan or un-shelving it to start again, now is a good time to kickstart. In this workshop led by Detroit Writing Room business plan coach Delphia Simmons, we'll review some items common to every business plan and focus on the specifics of yours. Spaces is limited. Register here.  A World Without Borders Jan. 30 from 7 - 8:30 p.m.  Want to see the world, but don't think you have the budget or spontaneity? This panel talk led by Linglobal founder Ernestine Lyons will convince you to book your flight. Learn tips from professional travel bloggers, an international relations scholar and linguist on how to travel the world on any budget and connect with different cultures along the way. Delve into how travel can be a journey of self-discovery, self-love, healing and connection — becoming a true citizen of the world in the process. Register here.  See all upcoming events and workshops at detroitwritingroom.com/events. In the News The Detroit Writing Room was featured on CBS Detroit's "Eye on Detroit." Watch the segment above! 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! "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."  ― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 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