Detroit Writing Room Hosts 2024 Summer Author Series at The Whitney

DETROIT, March 11, 2024 — The Detroit Writing Room is delighted to announce its 2024 Summer Author Series held at the historic Whitney mansion in Midtown Detroit. This is the second year The Detroit Writing Room has partnered with The Whitney to host the first public literary events in the mansion’s history. The intimate experiences take place in the Whitney’s outdoor garden and patio May through August. All events proceeds will support the DWR’s nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward, which offers free writing and photography programs for Detroit high school students. 

Each Author Series event features two notable authors with Michigan ties. Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres during a meet-and-greet with the authors. The event also includes two author talks, an opportunity to ask questions during Q&A, book signings and raffle drawings. The Detroit Writing Room has partnered with Detroit independent bookstore 27th Letter Books for guests to purchase books in advance and onsite. The talks will be held the last Wednesday of every month from 7 – 8:30 p.m. EST. 

Featured 2024 authors include:

May 29 – Stories for Young Readers

• Gerry Boylan and Eli Clark, grandfather and grandson co-authors of “Showdown At Firefly Island” (2023)

• Amy Nielander, Detroit Writing Room children’s book coach and author-illustrator of “My Name Is Not Ed Tug” (West Margin Press, 2022)

June 26 – Jane Austen Retellings

• Sonali Dev, author of “The Emma Project” (William Morrow Paperbacks, 2022)

• A.H. Kim, author of “Relative Strangers” (Graydon House, 2024)

July 31 – A Dive into the Detroit Numbers

• Bridgett M. Davis, author of “The World According to Fannie Davis: My Mother’s Life in the Detroit Numbers” (Little, Brown and Company, 2019)

• Felicia B. George, author of “When Detroit Played the Numbers” (Wayne State University Press, 2024)

August 28 – Love and Acceptance

• Lynne Golodner, author of “Woman of Valor” (Scotia Road Books, 2023) 

• Lisa Peers, author of “Love at 350°” (Dial Press Trade, 2023)

Detroit Writing Room founder and CEO Stephanie Steinberg decided to use this year’s Author Series as a way to give back and support the Detroit high school students who attend Coaching Detroit Forward programs. “The author events we hold outside on The Whitney’s patio are truly a magical experience. Guests get to enjoy wine, food and the warm summer evenings while meeting acclaimed local and national authors. Even better, you’ll support a young Detroit writer or photographer by attending this year,” Steinberg said.

Wayne State University Press is partnering for the July event highlighting a new book about the Detroit numbers gambling system. “Wayne State University Press is pleased to continue to grow our relationship with The Detroit Writing Room,” said Wayne State University Press Executive Director Stephanie L. Williams “We are delighted that Felicia B. George, author of ‘When Detroit Played the Numbers’ is featured in the 2024 programming, along with a great lineup of other local authors.” The July event also features author Bridgett M. Davis, whose memoir “The World According to Fannie Davis,” is being adapted for film by Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B. 

Single tickets are $60, which includes appetizers and one glass of wine, Champagne or beer. A 2024 Author Series Pass can be purchased to attend all four events for $240 and receive 15% off books. 

Read more about each author and get tickets at detroitwritingroom.com/2024-author-series. 

For media inquiries, contact Stephanie Steinberg at stephanie@detroitwritingroom.com.