Our Mission

To foster excellence in writing and serve as a creative workshop for member published writers, helping them improve their work, support other writers and continue to excel and publish. Within the organization, this mission is met through providing valuable networking opportunities, mutual support and special events for our members. In the community, DWW members promote and support creative writing by serving as role models, mentors, teachers, speakers.

Detroit Working Writers is a 108-year-old organization of professional, published creative writers from around the country working in numerous genres: novels, poetry, short stories, journalism, non-fiction, plays and more. Meet some of our members (many thanks to Bethany Broadwell for these wonderful profiles).

►Terry Blackhawk         ►Elizabeth Buzzelli        ►Cindy La Ferle

►Virginia Parker            ►Bob Tell

 

DWW Annual Program

DWW members meet from September through June at various locations around the metro Detroit area. Events may include:

· Luncheons/dinners featuring a speaker (local editors, authors, publishers, etc.) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

· The Spring Readings, featuring winners of DWW’s members-only writing competition

· Workshops and seminars on writing-related topics (for members only and sponsored by DWW for the public)

· Field trips, retreats and other special events

· A Holiday Potluck (members and guests only)

 

For more info, e-mail us, call 586.556.0715, or write to us at: Detroit Working Writers, c/o Friends Office, Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202

 

DWW 2007-2008 Officers

· President Maureen McGerty

· Vice President Annick Hivert-Carthew

· Secretary Mary Quinley

· Treasurer Vivian DeGain

· New Member Chair contact Maureen McGerty

· Current Membership Chair (dues) Diana Dinverno

· Web Master Cathleen Hagan

Who We Are

DWW History

June 5, 1900: Thirteen professional women journalists and literary writers establish the Detroit Press Club, the first organization of its kind in the city.
1904: Male journalists form their own club. Name of the women’s organization is changed to Detroit Women’s Press Club.
1914: Now boasting more than 30 members, the Detroit Women’s Press Club becomes the Detroit Women Writers Club. Their purpose: to foster a spirit of unity and good will among all women in the city writing for publication.
1928: Membership grows to 65.
1961: The Detroit Women Writer’s Club teams with Oakland University to sponsor the first annual Writers’ Conference.
1966: Name of the organization is changed to Detroit Women Writers (DWW).
1976: DWW publishes its first book, Echoes From the Moon, a book of poetry by DWW members.
1987: DWW publishes its second book, Voices on Writing Fiction, advice on writing from DWW members.
1999: DWW publishes its third book, Century of Voices, featuring the work of 87 DWW members.
2000: DWW celebrates 100 years as Detroit’s longest lived writer’s organization. The Detroit City Council designates June 5, 2000 Detroit Women Writer’s Day.
2001: Detroit Women Writers is designated a Heritage Organization by the Detroit 300 Tricentennial Celebration.
2004: Detroit Women Writers adopts its fourth name change, becoming Detroit Working Writers.