April 2026 Newsletter

May 17, 2026 | Uncategorized

Floral background with April 2026 newsletter

PLEASE NOTE that to view the full content of the newsletter you may need to:

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2. Click on a link at the bottom of the page that states “View Entire Message,” or

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If you haven’t seen my image and “thanks for reading” at the bottom of the newsletter, you haven’t viewed all the content.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and you are enjoying some sunny spring weather.

As you read through this month’s newsletter, don’t miss the items below. Members have been busy, with lots of publication notices, so be sure to check those out. I always try to include notice of upcoming writer/author events, and any other items that may be of interest.

Thank you to those members who have provided me with upcoming events, notice of their accomplishments, and more. I welcome you sending any content you have to me, with “newsletter” in the subject line. I always include a list of newsletter deadlines somewhere in the newsletter.

Don’t Miss:

* Member Highlights
* Membership Dues Link and QR Code
* New Member Welcome
* Newsletter Deadlines
* Save the Date-Annual Meeting
* Save the Date-Mediation and Writing Event
* When Can You Call Yourself a Writer?
* Writer Events and Contests-spaced throughout the newsletter

Grace Grogan
DWW Secretary and Newsletter Editor

Voting link was sent via email at 12:00 am on Monday, April 20th. Voting remains open through Monday, April 27th at 11:59 pm. Please note that the link is only usable one time. Once clicked you will be blocked from accessing the ballot again.

Newsletter Deadlines

If you have any content that may be of interest to other members, upcoming events, author readings, information on your own accomplishments, etc. please email them by the deadline shown below. Thank you!

May Newsletter — Saturday, May 16, 2026
June Newsletter — Saturday, June 20, 2026
July Newsletter — Saturday, July 18, 2026

Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize—Submission Call, award is open to any poet writing in English who has not had a full-length book of poetry published previously. “Full Length Book” is defined as a volume of 48 or more pages published in an edition of 500 or more copies. Books whose publication costs have been borne by their authors are excluded from this definition. University of Pittsburgh employees, former employees, current students, and those who have been students within the last three years are not eligible for the award. A cash prize of $5000 is available, plus publication. Submission Period: March 1 – April 30, 2026. Submissions are done online using Submittable. Entry fee is $25. For additional information about the contest, visit the University of Pittsburg Press’s website.

 

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Detroit Working Writers will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1:30 pm in the Baldwin Library, Birmingham, Michigan. The meeting will also be available online via zoom.

 

 

I could not locate a website for the above writing event. There is a phone number and email on the flyer for further information.

Lee Mayes

Lee publishes in the fantasy, sci-fi, and horror genres, but you won’t locate him online under that name. Lee usually writes under the pen name of P.F. White. Lee has been writing for as long as he can remember and was officially published for the first time in 2009 while serving in the U.S. Navy. Since that time, about 20 stories have been published in several different magazines, as well as one academic article under his own name.

Lee is excited about signing a contract to publish his first novel, “The Kings of Yellow Street.” A list of collections, essays, and short fiction written under the P.F. White pen name can be found for sale on Amazon. Lee has created many exaggerated, embellished, or straight up fictitious bio blurbs over the last few decades but tends to downplay the real life experiences that have contributed to his fiction. To that end he has done things like teach English and knife fighting (as has been claimed in past bios)… but the jury is still out as to whether he is secretly a multiversal spider or conduit for sinister ticking horrors. This part is certainly true though: “as of yet, he has eaten no one.”

Deborah-Lee Gollnitz, PhD

Deborah publishes in fiction short stories and novels, personal essay, and poetry genres. She holds both MBA and PhD degrees. Her professional background includes coaching young writers in high school classrooms. Deborah’s leisure activities include quilting and participation in a local sewing group that creates quilts for hospice patients. Deborah enjoys books in a variety of genres; audio books fill her ears when walking or quilting, her preference is physical books for deep reading.

Deborah has a diverse published list, including academic text, fiction novels and short story, poetry, personal essay, and promotional articles for philanthropic and fundraising organizations. To learn more about Deborah’s book signings, blog posts, published books, and more, visit the D.L. Gollnitz, Author website. Don’t miss the opportunity on her website to purchase any lap quilt and receive a complimentary copy of Book 1 in her Husting Family Saga novels.

Third Annual Atmosphere Press Virtual Writers Summit—this FREE summit is brought to you by Atmosphere Press, the selective hybrid publisher for serious writers, brings you real conversations for free April 22 and 23, 2026 with industry experts who care about craft and readership growth. Attendees get access to free giveaways, including select Atmosphere Press products and free books from authors. You receive two FREE days, nine experts, and interactive sessions where you can ask questions, get clarity, and walk away with answers you can use. Click here for more information and registration.

Renewing is Easy

You can pay

You can also use the link on the front page of Detworkingwriters.org or the QR code shown here.

When Can You Call Yourself a Writer?
by Grace Grogan

I came across this question back when I was doing the Question of the Month, and the thought intrigued me. While some people have no problem declaring themselves writers, others struggle with the title even though they have numerous published articles or books. Is there a specific criteria that makes one published person a writer while another isn’t? I decided to do a bit of research on the topic.

The American Library in Paris article questioned Gordon Weaver, an author with 114 published books, about when a person could refer to themselves as a writer. His response, “A writer is someone who writes. A serious writer is someone for whom writing is the most serious activity he or she knows. The amount of publication, money, and fame a writer receives – these are all extra-literary factors.”

This thought process is supported by One Lit Place for Writers, where you will find an article When is It Time to Call Yourself a Writer?. Three criteria you can use to determine whether or not you are a writer are:

(1) Time spent

(2) Application of ideas

(3) Regular practice & discipline

If you’re still not sure, the article also provides an “Am I a Writer?” Rubric:

  • Do you write or engage in writing on a regular or consistent basis?
  • Do you seek out those who write as companions or friends?
  • Do you pursue learning more about writing, literature, and ideas in your field or across the disciplines?
  • Do you write regardless of others’ ideas about you as a writer or their judgement?
  • Do you write even when you don’t want to?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you’re a writer!

Not wanting to skip another area of contention, I decided to tackle the question regarding whether you are a writer or an author. I always considered writers anyone who writes for newspapers, magazines, etc. and an author someone with published books.

According to Google a writer is a general term for anyone who engages in the process of writing, including unpublished authors, journalists, bloggers, copywriters and screenwriters. An author is someone who creates, owns and publishes original written work, particularly books, novels or articles.

Did you notice “articles” appeared under author? Of course, how far do we trust Google? The problem is, this one is harder to locate articles on, but I did find a list on Quora by Roland Bartetzko, author:

You can call yourself an author:

  • when you have received at least twenty five rejection emails from different publishing houses.
  • when you feel shitty because you haven’t written anything meaningful today.
  • when your day job suffers because you are constantly thinking about your book projects. (let them say you are lazy, you know better!)
  • when you have at least ten drafts of five different book projects in your computer

When all else fails, go to the U.S. Copyright Office, which defines an author under copyright laws as “the creator of the original expression in a work is its author. The author is also the owner of copyright unless there is a written agreement by which the author assigns the copyright to another person or entity, such as a publisher. In cases of works made for hire, the employer or commissioning party is considered to be the author.”

So there you have it. If you dedicate yourself to your writing, you are a writer, if you are the creator of an original expression in writing, you are an author. Don’t let anyone question your title, whichever you use.

Indie Author Project Annual Contest

Libraries across North America are championing Indie authors by helping great books reach new readers and gain meaningful recognition. Contest offers a unique opportunity to elevate your work, build credibility, and connect with the library community. Recognition from librarians not only highlights the quality of your writing but helps you book stand out in a growing marketplace. First place winner receives $2,500, and $500 for each of two runners up in each genre. Winners also receive honors in the 2027 Indie Author Day Reception, opportunities to promote you book through public libraries, inclusion in a full-page feature in Library Journal, and opportunities to earn royalties through the IAP Select collection. Submission Dates: April 1 – May 31, 2026. Click here for further information.

Member Highlights

Linda Nemec Foster will be teaching poetry workshops and classes as a featured writer in Scotland this summer. A writing consortium of West Michigan colleges, Scriptoria, has invited Linda to be part of their core faculty in Dundee, Scotland from July 29 to August 3, 2026. She is thrilled to be part of their team. For information about Scriptoria, visit their website www.scriptoriaworkshop.org

Closer to home, Linda read her Honorable Mention poem, “What You Want, Baby I Got It,” for the Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award ceremony in Paterson, NJ on February 7 at The Poetry Center. From March 5-7, Linda gave several poetry readings in Baltimore at the AWP Conference. During the festivities, Cornerstone Press debuted the inaugural winner of the Linda Nemec Foster First Book Award for Poetry. The prize (publication and a $1000 award) is a partnership between Cornerstone Press (imprint of the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point) and Linda to support and promote new poets. Kakie Pate is the 2026 winner. Earlier in the year, three of Linda’s poetry books–Bone Country, The Blue Divide, and Talking Diamonds–were reviewed on the popular website, Tweetspeak Poetry. An interview with Linda by Anne-Marie Oomen was featured in the 10th anniversary issue (2026) of Presence, a poetry journal published by Caldwell University in NJ. And, her most recent book, The Lake Huron Mermaid (a collaboration with Oomen and artist Meridith Ridl) has been honored as a finalist in two national competitions: the Chicago Writers Association’s Book Award in Poetry and the Feathered Quill Book Award (in the categories of Book Cover Design and Teen Book in Poetry).

*****

Grace Grogan’s genealogy column, Who Am I? for April was on the topic The Challenges of Genealogy and Foster Care and begins on page 2 of the April edition of The Lakeshore Guardian. Her article The History of the Easter Bunny and his eggs is published on page 8 in the April Edition of The Freshwater Reporter.

*****

Michelle Morouse’s prose poem: Michigan, being Michigan, or Why do we prefer to be called Michiganders? Was published in the Sierra Nevada Review and can be viewed here.

Michelle’s prose poem: Tante Hedwig dances at Orchestra Hall was published in the Eastern Iowa Review and can be viewed here: http://www.portyonderpress.com/michelle-morouse—tante-hedwig-dances.html

*****

Denise Sedman’s poem Diagnosis Cancer was published in the New Feathers Anthology and can be viewed here. https://www.newfeathersanthology.com/diagnosis-cancer.html?fbcl_fN_-#/

*****

Linda K. Sienkiewicz has an essay on Women Writers Women’s Books titled “The Long Game: How Asking for Help Landed Me a Book Deal,” where she writes about how real work of a writer doesn’t end with typing The End. When it comes to publishing a novel, it also takes time, tenacity, and the humility to know when you need help. Link: The Long Game: How Asking for Help Landed Me a Book Deal – Women Writers, Women’s Books

Linda also has an article on what three-star reviews really mean to authors on Jane Friedman’s blog. She makes a distinction that when authors interpret three stars as failure, we risk misunderstanding our own audience. Link: What Three-Star Reviews Really Mean for Authors | Jane Friedman

Craft 2026 First Chapters Contest

The Craft 2026 First Chapters Contest encourages novelists to harness the energy of their openings for the opportunity to win a $2,000 award, excerpt publication, and a full manuscript critique by Artful Editor. Our annual contest is designed to reward and encourage the diligent novelist. Your manuscript need not be complete for you to enter your first chapters. Everyone who submits will also receive a 10 percent discount from Artful Editor on any editorial services. Unferth will choose three winning excerpts from fifteen anonymized entries. We just want to see that spark. Submission Dates: April 20, 2026 – June 28, 2026; entry fee is $20 per submission. See submission Guidelines for more information.

Meditation and Writing Event

When: June 6, 2026
Rain date: June 7, 2026
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm

DWW Member Molly Beauregard will host a Meditation and Writing Event at her home in Bloomfield.

Details to Follow.

Heroines Anthology & Women’s Writing Prize

Call For Submissions to the 7th Heroines Anthology and the Heroines Women’s Writing prize. Heroines Anthology publishes literary writing by women; the anthology focuses on telling women’s lost history, untold stories, myths, fairy tails, folklore, or legends reimagined from the perspective of their women characters. It is strongly advised writers read a previous volume of Heroines Anthology to get a feel for what editors are looking for and to check stories and myths already covered. All submissions are considered for the Heroines Women’s Writing Prize. Submission Deadline: July 30, 2026. Find out more on the Writing the Heroine submissions link.

Thank you for Reading!

Grace Grogan
Newsletter Editor