Host Your Virtual Workshop or Book Talk with The New York Writing Room!
We partner with writers, designers, photographers and creatives to offer virtual workshops Monday through Saturday. We also host virtual book launches and talks with authors nationwide. Check below to see what’s coming up next.
Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
Thought Leadership for Nonprofits: How It Can Boost Impact & Grow Revenue
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026
Noon to 1 p.m. EST
Virtual
Nonprofit leaders — stop being the best-kept secret in your sector. Learn how to become a recognized authority who shapes the conversations that matter. In this workshop led by Dr. Kate Greulich, you'll master thought leadership fundamentals through proven nonprofit examples and data showing real marketing impact. Discover exactly where your expertise creates influence and how to position yourself as the go-to voice in your cause area.
You’ll walk away with your personalized content strategy — specific pillars that turn your knowledge into powerful marketing assets. No more guessing what to write about. Your marketing team gets a clear roadmap for creating content that builds your reputation, attracts major donors and amplifies your mission. Ready to claim your space as a sector leader? This is how you do it. Early bird tickets are $35 until Jan. 4.
How to Submit to Literary Magazines and Small Presses
Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
Noon to 1:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Wherever you are in the writing process, submitting your work can be a helpful light at the end of the tunnel. But the world of literary magazines and small publishers is so expansive and diverse, it’s hard to know where and how to send your work out for publication. In this virtual workshop with Dennis James Sweeney, author of "How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses," we’ll talk about the landscape of literary magazines and small presses, strategies for achieving your publication goals and how to navigate the vulnerability of sending out the writing you’ve worked so hard on. You’ll leave the class with next steps for submitting your latest piece of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction or hybrid work. This informational class will also include group discussion and Q&A time. Join us if you’d like company in the exciting but daunting process of sending out your writing. Early bird tickets are $55 until Jan. 13.
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Group
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday. Feb. 23, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Natalia Aponte! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email hello@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
MARCH
Ask Me Anything with Editing Coach Sydnee Thompson
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Noon - 1 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to join Detroit Writing Room Coach Sydnee Thompson to ask her anything! Come with questions about a personal project or seek editing advice from Sydnee, who specializes in copy editing and developmental editing for fiction and journalism projects. This is an open hour to ask questions in a group setting. Or come just to listen and learn! Ask Me Anythings are for Writing Room members only. RSVP to get the Zoom link. Members who RSVP will also receive a video recap.
Word by Word: Transforming Good Writing into Great Writing
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
6 - 7 p.m. EST
Virtual
The first hurdle of writing is getting it all down, then the next step is revising, a.k.a. line editing. Line editing is the art of examining your work sentence by sentence, word by word, to elevate it from competent to compelling. This interactive virtual workshop led by New York Writing Room coach Johanie Martinez-Cools will help you identify and eliminate common elements that dilute your writing's impact. We'll go over passive verbs, awkward constructions, rhythm problems and vague adjectives. For writers of all genres, the workshop includes exercises to practice your newfound skills. We also encourage you to come with your line editing questions! Early bird tickets are $40 until Feb. 18.
Understanding the “Industry:” Behind the Scenes of the Literary World with a Book Spy and Book Editor
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
12 - 1 p.m. EST
Virtual
Have you ever heard of a literary scout? Known as the industry’s “book spies,” a scout’s job is to trade in information and never reveal their sources. Scouts are known for keeping comprehensive databases of all materials on submission, all sales for all materials, and reader's reports on pretty much any book they can get their hands on. They are experts on trends in the market and sale levels of books. One editor called scouting “witchcraft”: scouts are known for keeping information flowing through “back channels” of the industry — personal relationships where, say, a deal can be orchestrated, levels understood, interested parties made aware of other interest, without the necessary politesse and unspoken rules of front-facing relationships.
Drawing on this privileged position in the industry, New York Writing Room coach Brianna Zimmerman will host a talk on all things scouting, moderated by Detroit Writing Room coach Aaron Robertson, author of "The Black Utopians," translator from Italian, and former editor at Spiegel & Grau. They will elaborate on the market as it stands today, how social media and TikTok have panicked publishers, the reasons why writers should always find people who bet on them and how the market has changed in recent years.
Come with your questions! The coaches will take questions on anything publishing, from which agent is right for you (is it better to be an unknown writer at a massive agency, or sign with a brand new agent who is hungry?), how to think about literary vs. upmarket vs. commercial fiction, imprint competition and how editorial gossip runs the game. They’ll also speak on how the mysterious world of translations and foreign rights and film/TV deals work. Early bird tickets are $50 until Feb. 25.
Fiction & Non-Fiction Writing Group
For Writing Room Members Only
Monday, March 30, 2026
7 - 8:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
Writing Room members are invited to participate in a monthly Writing Group. The non-fiction group is led by Detroit Writing Room Coach Laura Berman, and the fiction group is led by New York Writing Room coach Natalia Aponte! Participants are allowed to share up to two pages to get constructive feedback on a written work from the coach and fellow writers. This is an opportunity for Writing Room members to connect and collaborate. Members do not have to share work to participate. Members can email hello@detroitwritingroom.com to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.
APRIL
“Sunk Cost”Book Talk ft. Jillian Berman
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
7 - 8 p.m. EST
Virtual
WThe New York Writing Room is thrilled to host writing coach and author Jillian Berman for a virtual book party to celebrate "Sunk Cost, Who’s to Blame for the Nation’s Broken Student Loan System and How to Fix It" released last April from the University of Chicago Press! In the book, Jillian uses interviews with borrowers, policymakers as well as historical research to show how a policy aimed at helping low- and middle-income Americans turned into one of the biggest consumer finance challenges of our time. Publisher’s Weekly described the “Sunk Cost” as a “meticulous investigation” and a “rigorous and lucid account of an opaque bureaucratic history.” During the virtual book party Jillian will discuss "Sunk Cost" and answer questions during a live Q&A with guests. We'll also have a live drawing for a signed copy of the book! Tickets are free for Writing Room members and the first 10 people to register. General admission is $10, and proceeds support The Detroit Writing Room’s Journalism Camp.
Grant Writing 101: How to Write Competitive Proposals That Get Funded
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m. EST
Virtual
This introductory workshop is designed for nonprofit professionals, board members and emerging grant writers who want to strengthen their foundation in proposal writing. Participants will learn how to identify the right funding opportunities, break down a grant application, craft compelling narratives, align programs with funder priorities and avoid common mistakes that lead to rejection. The virtual session led by fundraising and development consultant Jennifer Oprisiu will include practical frameworks, real-world examples and time for Q&A so attendees leave with tools they can immediately apply to their own organizations. Early bird tickets are $40 until March 21.