Summer Author Series ft. Gerry Boylan and Amy Nielander

The Detroit Writing Room Summer Author Series is excited to feature Gerry Boylan, Eli Clark and Amy Nielander for our May event highlighting stories for young readers!

Gerry Boylan and Eli Clark, grandfather and grandson writing partners, are the co-authors of “Showdown At Firefly Island” (2023). There’s adventure, fantastical characters, evil no-goodniks and plenty of laughter in this rollicking tale. And all book proceeds benefit the nonprofit Detroit PAL.

Amy Nielander is a Detroit Writing Room Children’s Book Coach and author-illustrator of “My Name Is Not Ed Tug” (West Margin Press, 2022). The sweet, whimsical story focuses on the meaningfulness behind a person's name and the power of accepting people just as they are.

Join us Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for an intimate book talk and signing at the historic Whitney mansion in Detroit.

Guests will enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres during a meet-and-greet with the authors in the Whitney’s garden (weather permitting). The event includes two author talks, an opportunity to ask questions during Q&A and book signings. There will also be signed book giveaways and other raffle prizes!

All 2024 Author Series proceeds benefit the DWR's nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward, which offers free writing and photography programs for Detroit high school students.

7 - 7:20 p.m. - Meet-and-Greet, Drinks & Appetizers

7:20 - 7:50 p.m. - Book Talks

7:50 - 8:10 p.m. - Q&A

8:10 - 8:30 p.m. - Book Signing

The Detroit-based independent bookstore 27th Letter Books is our bookstore partner for this series. Guests can order the books online and have them shipped before the event, or you can purchase them onsite at the Author Series.

Single admission is $60. Includes passed appetizers and one glass of wine, Champagne or beer. There will also be a cash bar.

Tickets may be purchased as gifts. Please provide the recipient’s name and email so we can include them on our guest list.

Purchase a Detroit Writing Room Summer Author Series Pass to receive admission to each monthly event May through August 2024. Pass holders receive a 15% discount on books. Buy a pass here.

Tickets are nonrefundable, but may be transferred to another Summer Author Series event. Due to limited space, tickets cannot be purchased at the door and must be bought online in advance. Registration closes at 6 p.m. EST the day of the event.

The Whitney offers valet parking in their main lot for $10 per car. Guests may self-park in the lot located across the street at Woodward and Canfield. There is also street parking along Canfield Street.

Eli Clark and Gerry Boylan are co-authors and a grandson-grandpa writing team. Eli is currently a sixth grader who loves reading and playing sports. Gerry is the author of two previous books, “Getting There” and “Gerry Tales,” and is currently introducing two new books, “No Deals At the Pearly Gates” and “Confessions of a Lucky Bastard.” All of the books are available at gerrytales.com. He is the chair of the Detroit Police Athletic Leagues Advisory Board (PAL) and supports their important work with Detroit’s children. 

Gerry’s storytelling began with his children, spinning yarns at bedtime. The tradition continues with his grandchildren Asher, Eileen, Colin, Kathleen and Eli. Recently, they have begun to call for fact checks on their grandpa’s stories, a troubling development!

Amy Nielander is a traditionally published picture book author-illustrator, designer and Children’s Book Coach at The Detroit Writing Room. She loves creating big-hearted characters and playful stories for children. Her first wordless picture book, “The Ladybug Race,” exhibited at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair and later earned an Independent Publisher Award. Her second picture book, “Grama’s Hug,” received a starred review from Booklist and was featured in the Grand Rapids Magazine “Summer Fav” book list. In 2020, Amy was selected to participate in the 20 for 20: Celebrating Michigan Illustrators Exhibit by the Muskegon Museum of Art. Amy enjoys designing fun activities for kids and visiting schools. Learn about Amy's books on her website amynielander.com or Instagram.

Can a shy whiz kid, her friends and some magical performers team up to save their island amusement park for all who love it? Will perseverance and teamwork save the day when all looks lost?

Firefly Island is a place where dreams hang like apples waiting to be picked. It’s a wonderful place to live for a loveable cast of characters including: 12-year-old Bernie Scala, the National family, their laughing dog Cookie, park owners Frances and Dakota, Gentle Giant, Robot Guy, Frida and Felipe Firefly. But a long simmering feud between Frances and his twin brother Fast Freddie has erupted, and Frankie’s gang, the Slumgullions Squad has secretly invaded the island. They’re determined to destroy the amusement park and everything Francis and Dakota have built. With gang members like Stinky O’Fartser, Snake Lake, Nervous Norvus the Narwhal and Curley Chameleon running amok on the Island, all looks lost.

The story shows how family and friends join together against all odds, to try and reclaim the island they love. There’s adventure, fantastical characters, evil no-goodniks and plenty of laughter in this rollicking tale. Come join us for an adventure! Order here.

“My Name Is Not Ed Tug” is a sweet, whimsical story about the meaningfulness behind a person's name and the power of accepting people just as they are.

Edimorwhitimormiligimmus Tug has a very special name that is all his own. But his teacher thinks it's too long, too hard to say, and too difficult to spell. One day she decides he must shorten it to... Ed.

He loves his name just the way it is, though. So he comes up with a plan: if he teaches everyone at school his name, then his teacher and the whole class will learn and love it too!

Steeped in family love, “My Name is Not Ed Tug” empowers young readers to own their identities and proudly celebrate who they are. Order here.

The Detroit Writing Room offers an inspirational community for writers, creatives and professionals. Whether you’re working on the next Great American novel or a resume, the DWR has 30 professional writing coaches to help with all your writing needs. We also host book talks, writing workshops, and literary events. Visit detroitwritingroom.com to sign up for coaching, memberships, events and more. Check out newyorkwritingroom.com to see our New York-based coaching team.

Coaching Detroit Forward is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that coaches Detroit high school students in writing, photography, graphic design and other creative fields. Award-winning local journalists, authors, communications professionals, photographers and designers teach students and share their expertise through summer camps, workshops and after-school programs. Through Coaching Detroit Forward, students gain mentors who guide them through internships, jobs and careers. Visit coachingdetroitforward.org to learn more.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Whitney, 4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, United States