About DWW

This year, Detroit Working Writers celebrates its 125th Anniversary! Our illustrious history is archived at the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library.

Founded in 1900, it was the first organization of its kind in Detroit [1]. Today, it is a 501(c)(6) organization and the State of Michigan’s oldest writers’ organization, sharing a storied history:

• On June 5, 1900, a group of women writers formed the Detroit Women’s Press Club to support professional and aspiring female writers while traveling home from a National Women’s Press Club outing aboard the famed Detroit steamer Tashmoo.
• In 1914, the name was changed to the Detroit Women Writers Club.
• In 1966, the organization’s name was changed to Detroit Women Writers.
• In 2000, DWW’s centennial year coincided with the City of Detroit’s 300th year, and DWW was designated as a Heritage Organization by Detroit 300.
• In 2004, the name was changed to Detroit Working Writers as membership opened to male writers.

DWW is committed to inclusivity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability.

Membership in DWW is based solely on the excellence of published writing credits. Our membership includes novelists, journalists, poets, playwrights, scriptwriters, freelancers, travel writers, and essayists who support and promote writing by serving as role models, mentors, teachers, and speakers. Past and current members include Joyce Carol Oates, Judith Guest, Naomi Long Madgett, Gloria Whelan, Ellyce Field, Linda Nemec Foster, Jean Alicia Elster, Margaret Hillert, Ruth Ryan Langan, Elizabeth Buzzelli, and more. Please visit Our Books page.

The annual DWW Writer’s Conference was held from 1961 through 2018, drawing writers from throughout Michigan and presenting high-profile keynote speakers and craft-related workshops. DWW aims to continue its long history of programming by holding quarterly Members’ Meet-ups—a mixture of guest speakers on craft-related topics, write-ins, open mics, and hugs-and-hurrahs. For more information on DWW’s event schedule, visit our Events page.

DWW has published three books:

• Echoes from the Moon (1976), a volume of poetry by DWW members,
• Voices on Writing Fiction (1987), advice on writing by DWW members, and
• Century of Voices, a DWW Anthology 1900–2000 (1999), featuring the work of eighty-seven members that reflects a century of membership with historical introductions to each section.

We welcome new members and seek to invigorate the contemporary Michigan writing community, propelling the organization forward in the tradition of professional excellence brought forth by our trailblazing and inspired founders. To learn more about the application process, visit our Apply to DWW page.

[1]“Womens Writers’ Club Twenty-One Years Old,” Detroit Free Press, Jun3 12, 1921, page 53, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1048552338/.