Are you a writer in Michigan? Are you interested in joining our group or learning more about us? If you’d like to attend one of our programs, please contact us at michiganromancewriters@gmail.com.
2025 Programs
Our gatherings rotate from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Lansing area venues at restaurants or libraries on the third Saturday of the month. We meet both in person and on Zoom. We conduct some of our programs via Zoom only. When we meet in-person, we also offer the option to join via Zoom in a hybrid arrangement. Please check the schedule for specific details of the program format.
The in-person/hybrid meeting day begins at 11:30 a.m. and involves lunch and networking. The formal program begins at 1:00 p.m. A brief business meeting typically occurs either before or after the program, as timing dictates.
For our Zoom-only meetings, we start at noon with networking and a brief business meeting, followed by the formal program at 1:00 p.m.
It is free to attend up to two programs (in person or virtually), and only $10 for subsequent programs.
We hold informal write-ins or critique sessions via Zoom only on the third Saturday of the months in January, July, August, and December.
We hold our annual Retreat From Harsh Reality in April. This is open to members and non-members alike with a discounted rate provided to our members. This event has been a cornerstone of Michigan Romance Writers since 1984.
Visit the MRW Facebook Events Page for any potential time changes and details. Please R.S.V.P. below or on the Facebook Events Page.
For in person/hybrid meetings: Meet at the restaurant at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and networking. Program 1-2:00 p.m..
For Zoom only meetings: Open meeting at noon for social networking, brief business meeting 12:15-12:45 p.m., and the program 1-2:00 p.m..
January
February
Location
Fiesta Charra, 2706
East Lansing Road, Lansing.
Meeting
11:30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual – Hybrid meeting. Speaker will present over Zoom.
Program
1:00 pm
March
Location
Zoom Only
Opens with social networking at noon, followed by a business meeting at 12:15 p.m. Presentation is from 1-2:00 p.m.
Speaker: Jennifer Hilt BIO:
Jennifer Hilt is a USA Today Bestselling author and the creator of The Trope Thesaurus: An Author Resource, a five-book series beloved by writers seeking to hone their craft. With a diverse portfolio spanning twenty-four books under four pen names, she has also authored the urban fantasy trilogy The Undead Detective. As a professional plotter and concept creator, Jennifer has helped countless writers develop unforgettable stories.
A frequent and sought-after podcast guest, Jennifer has appeared on The Creative Penn with Joanna Penn, Bryan Cohen’s Sell More Books Show, Matty Dalrymple’s The Indy Author Podcast, and Kobo’s Live Writing Life, among many others. Her Substack, TropeTalk, explores the art and utility of tropes in storytelling. Jennifer’s expertise has also been featured in Indie Author Magazine, NINC and will soon appear in Writer’s Digest.
Passionate about teaching, Jennifer leads workshops and classes across the U.S., including at Author Nation 2024, the Future of Publishing Virtual Conference 2024, the Willamette Writers Conference 2024, and the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference (2023–2024). In 2025, she will present at Women in Publishing, Future of Publishing, and host Trope Con, a virtual conference dedicated to tropes in storytelling and marketing.
Holding degrees in linguistics and literature, Jennifer loves collecting obscure dictionaries, binge-watching Scandi-noir series, and shouting out tropes from her couch. For her events, classes, and workshops, visit www.jenniferhilt.com.
https://jenniferhilt.substack.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@TropeTalk
https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hilt.
Workshop: Three Essential Christmas Tropes
Presented by Jennifer Hilt
Get into the holiday spirit early and discover the magic of crafting a heartwarming Christmas romance novella! This workshop is perfect for writers who want to use classic romance tropes to create a story filled with love, laughter, and holiday cheer.
We’ll explore how to incorporate essential elements like forced proximity, ticking time bombs, and redemption arcs to create engaging relationships and conflict-driven scenes. From small-town reunions to snowy castle ballrooms, you’ll learn how to turn
your setting into a character and your characters into holiday favorites.
The workshop covers:
Creating Conflict through Tropes: Learn how to combine romance tropes like meet-cutes, misunderstandings, and secret letter exchanges to develop a dynamic story arc.
Building Memorable Moments: Discover how cozy details like knitting clubs, festive events, and heartfelt banter strengthen your story’s emotional impact.
Layering Intimacy and Heat Levels: Explore how to pace your romance from sweet to steamy while keeping readers hooked.
Standalone or Series Potential: Use your novella to introduce side characters, expand your world, or build a reader magnet for your series.
By the end of the session, you’ll have a toolkit of ideas and inspiration to write a holiday romance that’s both timeless and uniquely yours.
APRIL
Visit the Retreat from Harsh Reality page for details.
May
Location
Zoom Only
Opens with social networking at noon, followed by a business meeting at 12:15 p.m. Presentation is from 1-2:00 p.m.
June
Location
Location TBD
Meeting
11:30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
JULY
Zoom Only Event
August
Zoom Only Event
SeptembER
Location
Jac’s Cekola’s Pizza
3112 South 9th Street in Kalamazoo
Meeting
11: 30 am to 3:00 pm
Hybrid – In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
October
Location
Peppino’s
1515 Eastport Dr. SE
Kentwood
Meeting
11: 30 am to 3:00 pm
Hybrid – In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 p.m.
December
Zoom Only Event