Springfed Arts-Metro Detroit Writers
Provides Inspiration to Members

By Mary Sitto
Springfed Arts-Metro Detroit Writers is an organization that offers encouragement, support and inspiration to writers of all genres. Internationally known performance poet and Wayne State English Professor, M.L. Liebler, is Director of Metro Detroit Writers. Liebler has many years of experience as a workshop facilitator and arts activist. He was elected president of The Poetry Resource Center of Michigan (PRC) in 1986.

“MDW is a direct outgrowth of the Statewide Literary Arts Organization known since the early 1970’s as The PRC.” Liebler said. From there, Liebler became Director of The YMCA’s successful Writer’s Voice Program and the organization joined John D. Lamb at Springfed Arts five years ago.
The organization continues to be instrumental in Detroit’s literary scene. In addition to hosting poetry readings and writing workshops, the organization started after school arts programs for children and seniors and offered Master level workshops with nationally known visiting writers.
“We held one day workshops with Edward Hirsch, Philip Levine, Stephen Dunn, Quincy Troope, Wanda Coleman, Amiri Baraka and many, many others.” Liebler said. “I started a major creative program and various nontraditional venues called The Vision of Words, placing working writers in hospitals, youth homes, domestic abuse shelters, teen shelters, Vietnam vet halls, senior centers, homeless shelters, etc.”

Current SA-MDW programs include Poets @ The Opera House (in season 11), Lit Fest, annual poetry & fiction contests judged by notable writers, The Downtown Poetry Series, workshops by major writers at The Scarab Club, Detroit Tonight Live at The Jazz Cafe, Lamb’s Retreat for Songwriters and the annual Springfed Writers’ Retreat in Harbor Springs (formerly know as The Walloon Writers’ Retreat).

There are many benefits to membership in SA-MDW. Members receive the monthly newsletter, reduced tuition to workshops and the annual northern Michigan poet, writer and songwriter retreats. The newsletter keeps the writer well informed on literary events in Detroit and surrounding communities. The “Ongoing Calendar” includes information on current events, such as writing groups, workshops and open mic nights.

Perhaps one of the most beneficial benefits is the sense of community that SA-MDW provides. It allows writers to share information and experiences and encourages each writer’s individual learning and growth. Numerous members form creative and supportive friendships through SA-MDW workshops and events.

MDW receives no outside grants or funding.  “It is our great & generous members who have kept our workshops going strong.” Liebler said.
“We are a unique organization that has actually been helping writers and working in Metro Detroit & beyond since the early 1970’s and those early years of The PRC.” Liebler said. “For over 35 years we have been serving writers.”