Michigan Writing Groups, Workshops, and Creative Writing Classes
Here you’ll find a collection of resources for writers in Michigan, from conferences to local critique groups, workshops, and creative writing classes. If you’re looking for writing groups near you, a workshop or class, a place to connect with other writers, or somewhere to submit your work, these Michigan writing resources are worth checking out.
Including WriteByNight! Since 2009, we’ve helped hundreds of Michigan writers achieve their literary goals. Claim your free consultation to learn about WBN’s customizable one-on-one book coaching, manuscript critique, publishing assistance, and more.
Writing Organizations & Groups
A literary community offering in-person and virtual writing groups, workshops, book talks, retreats, coaching, and other programs for writers, along with journalism programs for young people through its nonprofit arm. (Detroit)
A professional organization for published Michigan writers working across fiction, nonfiction, journalism, poetry, plays, scripts, essays, and other forms. Members share resources, mentor other writers, and participate in literary and professional-development programs. (Metro Detroit)
A nonprofit writing group founded in 1942, Flint Area Writers meets twice monthly for critique and also offers retreats, readings, marketing advice, publishing support, and other opportunities for members to develop and promote their work. (Flint)
Grand Rapids Region Writers Group
A community of published and aspiring writers offering monthly meetings with craft and publishing presentations, networking, and an annual fall writing workshop. Guests are welcome to attend meetings before joining. (Grand Rapids / Kentwood)
A statewide community for writers, poets, editors, teachers, booksellers, and readers offering workshops, literary events, networking, and publication opportunities. The organization also publishes Dunes Review and operates Michigan Writers Cooperative Press. (Statewide)
A critique and discussion group serving writers in north-central Indiana and southwest Michigan, with regular meetings devoted to sharing work, discussing craft, and exchanging information about publishing. (South Bend / Southwest Michigan)
A year-round literary organization presenting author conversations and community programs while also offering free writing classes, workshops, scholarships, and other opportunities for young writers through its Raising Writers program. (Traverse City / Northern Michigan)
A statewide organization supporting poets through workshops, contests, twice-yearly meetings, regional poetry groups, and publication opportunities in its literary journal, Peninsula Poets. (Statewide)
Offers a monthly writers group, master classes, author events, and an annual one-day conference featuring workshops and presentations on writing craft and the business of publishing. (Rochester)
Conferences, Retreats & Residencies
An annual one-day conference featuring craft sessions, publishing discussions, poetry workshops, networking, and presentations by authors, agents, editors, and other writing professionals. (Lansing)
Bear River Writers’ Conference
A multi-day University of Michigan conference held on Walloon Lake, offering generative writing workshops, readings, craft talks, meals, and informal literary conversation in a residential Northern Michigan setting. (Walloon Lake / Northern Michigan)
An annual book festival bringing authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers together for a day of literary events and book browsing at Detroit’s Eastern Market. (Detroit)
A Northern Michigan residency program providing writers and other artists with dedicated time and space to work, along with opportunities for community engagement in the surrounding region. (Good Hart / Northern Michigan)
Grand Rapids Literary Festival
A free multi-day literary festival featuring Michigan authors, panel discussions, book signings, reader gatherings, book fairs, and other events throughout the city. (Grand Rapids)
A multi-day retreat at Interlochen Center for the Arts offering workshops in fiction, memoir, and creative nonfiction, along with faculty presentations, readings, and dedicated time for writing and community-building. (Interlochen / Northern Michigan)
An annual one-day conference focused on getting published, with classes on craft, querying, pitching, marketing, and publishing, along with opportunities to meet literary agents and editors. (Detroit)
Offers fully funded and other residency opportunities for artists and writers at Ox-Bow’s historic campus, including summer residencies and hybrid residency-workshop programs. (Saugatuck)
Literary Magazines & Publishers
Published by Michigan State University Press, Fourth Genre is a biannual literary journal devoted to creative nonfiction, including personal essays, memoir, literary journalism, and other forms. The journal maintains regular open submission periods. (East Lansing)
Founded in 1962 at the University of Michigan, Michigan Quarterly Review publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, essays, interviews, reviews, and special portfolios in both print and online editions. (Ann Arbor)
Published at Northern Michigan University since 1979, Passages North features fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and hybrid work by emerging and established writers and maintains recurring submission periods and contests. (Marquette / Upper Peninsula)
Help us add to this list, Michiganders! Do you know of writing groups near you, writing workshops near you, creative writing classes near you, or a Michigan literary journal or publisher we should be aware of? Let us know here. We periodically review these listings for broken links and outdated information.