Detroit Writers’ Guild produces new poetry CD

The Detroit Writer’s Guild promotes literacy and help would-be authors publish their work. Evelyn Holmes, current member and WSU master’s student, said as time has passed the guild has opened to include music, dance, theatre and community involvement.
The guild has produced several anthologies, including award-winning poetry book “Paradise Valley Days” which focuses on Detroit during the 1950s.
Recently, the guild produced a poetry CD “A Poetic Showcase,” featuring a variety of poets, including Holmes, original founder and folksinger Herbert Metoyer and Wayne State professors Melba Boyd and M.L Liebler.
Holmes said the Detroit Writers’ Guild was founded in 1983 by Peggy Moore and her daughter because they were concerned about the lack of black books in the Detroit Public School system. It was originally named the Detroit Black Writers’ Guild.
“The reason it started out as the black writers’ guild … is because black authors were having a hard time getting their work published,” she said.
Metoyer added that it was not marketable to keep the name.
“It took me three years to change the name,” said Metoyer.
“Most of the members were resistant... I had people get up and walk out.”
Metoyer said that some of the original members could not read or write and were porch storytellers.
“Some people join for the community part of it,” said Holmes, who has two self-published books.
During the 90s, the guild had a large following, peaking at 250 members and a mailing list of over one thousand. But enrollment dwindled in the early 2000s, and Metoyer put the guild into retirement in 2004.
“Several things changed,” Metoyer explained, “People had access to more books, and the internet… people started self-publishing and some members opened up their own businesses. No one had time to devote to the guild.”
But in 2006, Metoyer set out to revive the guild. Holmes said there are currently 30 members in the guild, aged 87-17.
Metoyer said they are now looking for younger members to take on leadership positions.
The Detroit Writers’ Guild offer’s a variety of workshops for aspiring artists, like poetry writing, editing, and short story basics. Interested artists can register online and also join the guild at www.detroitwritersguild.com.
The guild has produced several anthologies, including award-winning poetry book “Paradise Valley Days” which focuses on Detroit during the 1950s.
Recently, the guild produced a poetry CD “A Poetic Showcase,” featuring a variety of poets, including Holmes, original founder and folksinger Herbert Metoyer and Wayne State professors Melba Boyd and M.L Liebler.
Holmes said the Detroit Writers’ Guild was founded in 1983 by Peggy Moore and her daughter because they were concerned about the lack of black books in the Detroit Public School system. It was originally named the Detroit Black Writers’ Guild.
“The reason it started out as the black writers’ guild … is because black authors were having a hard time getting their work published,” she said.
Metoyer added that it was not marketable to keep the name.
“It took me three years to change the name,” said Metoyer.
“Most of the members were resistant... I had people get up and walk out.”
Metoyer said that some of the original members could not read or write and were porch storytellers.
“Some people join for the community part of it,” said Holmes, who has two self-published books.
During the 90s, the guild had a large following, peaking at 250 members and a mailing list of over one thousand. But enrollment dwindled in the early 2000s, and Metoyer put the guild into retirement in 2004.
“Several things changed,” Metoyer explained, “People had access to more books, and the internet… people started self-publishing and some members opened up their own businesses. No one had time to devote to the guild.”
But in 2006, Metoyer set out to revive the guild. Holmes said there are currently 30 members in the guild, aged 87-17.
Metoyer said they are now looking for younger members to take on leadership positions.
The Detroit Writers’ Guild offer’s a variety of workshops for aspiring artists, like poetry writing, editing, and short story basics. Interested artists can register online and also join the guild at www.detroitwritersguild.com.