2024 Programs
Are you a writer in Michigan? 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.
We meet in person, but also offer the programs virtually via Zoom. It is free to attend your first program (in person or virtually), and only $10 for subsequent programs.
Our gatherings rotate from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids to Lansing area venues (generally restaurants or libraries) on the third Saturday of the month. The day begins at 11:30 am and involves lunch and networking. The formal program begins at 1:00 pm. A brief business meeting typically occurs before or after the program, as timing dictates.
There are no formal programs in January, July, August, or December, although we may have informal write ins or critiquing. Also, our annual Retreat From Harsh Reality is held in April. This is open to non-members, and has been a cornerstone of Michigan Romance Writers for over 35 years.
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.
January
February
Location
Traveler’s Cafe & Pub. 5225 Portage Rd, Portage, MI
Meeting
11:30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
Author Planning Day with Elke Feuer (via Zoom) meeting in Kalamazoo.
Description: Author-preneuership is difficult, but it’s easier if you know where you want to go. This discussion will show you how to create an annual plan for your writing life. Step one, Reflect. Step two, Dream. And step three, Roadmap. You can find more information about Elke Feuer at https://elkefeuer.com/.
March
Location
Fiesta Charra – Eastwood 2706 Lake Lansing Road Lansing, Mi
Meeting
11: 00 am to 2:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
12.30 pm
March will be hosted in Lansing at Fiesta Charra- Eastwood. Note: There is a time change. Meet for lunch at 11:00 am. The program will follow at 12:30 pm and a business meeting will conclude the day. We need to be out of the restaurant at 2:00 pm.
The talk will be on LGBTQ+ without Fetishizing with Kiki Clark. She will present on how to craft authentic love stories without crossing the line into fetishizing a group of people. More information about Kiki can be found at https://www.kikiclark.com/.
May
Location
Peppino’s 1515 Eastport Dr, Grand Rapids
Meeting
11: 30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
Selling Direct with Damon Courtney from Bookfunnel (via Zoom) meeting in Grand Rapids
Description: Learn how to sell your ebooks and audiobooks directly using BookFunnel. For more information about Damon and BookFunnel, check out https://bookfunnel.com/.
June
Location
Liz’s Parkview Cafe 8972 East D. Avenue. Richland, MI.
Meeting
11:30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
Sonia Hartl is a rom-com author of books such as Rent To Be, and will show us how to add some humor to our own romance novels. For more information, check out https://soniahartl.com/.
July
August
September
Location
Travelers Restaurant at 5225 Portage Road Portage
Meeting
11:30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
Take your self-editing skills to the next level.
· Have you eliminated all the telling?
· Are the characters complex?
· Is every scene necessary?
Most authors will answer ‘yes!’ to these questions.
But then editors and readers tell them the descriptions don’t engage them, the characters are stereotypical, and the story dragged.
How do you fix it? By training your writer’s brain to read with an editor’s eye and by recruiting some outside help. In this workshop, we’ll look at common mistakes novelists make, then learn how to identify and fix them.
Ms. Beery will have her books available for sale.
October
Location
Peppino’s 1515 Eastport Dr, Grand Rapids
Meeting
11: 30 am to 3:00 pm
In Person & Virtual
Program
1:00 pm
Do You Know Your Era? with Diana Lloyd (in person) meeting in Grand Rapids
Description: Historical romance readers are particular when it comes to the facts so you’ll need to do your research. Diana Lloyd will talk about how to know your particular era before you sit down to write your historical novel. You can find more information about Diana Lloyd at https://www.dianalloydbooks.com/.
November
Every November we have a Holiday Party. No program, no business meeting, no formality. Just fun! Details will be added as we get closer to the party. Join us for a jolly good time!
The party this year will take place at the Traveler’s Pub in the Kalamazoo area.
December